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Reversing sensors


Armstrong2

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I'm thinking of doing the same.

 

I've had a quick look at the underside of our new van and it looks fairly simple to fit. The +ve will be taken from the reversing power light curcuit and grounded accordingly.

 

The secret of success (IMO) is ensuring that you place the sensors at the correct height and distance to ensure the system can detect the obstacles correctly.

 

If I do plum for such a device then I'll probably opt for an LED version instead of having a bloody noisy buzzer that will only distract me.

 

I'll be keen to see what others have done.

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Armstrong2 - 2017-08-02 3:21 PM

 

I wonder if it wil effect the canbus system when you Connect up.all newish motorhomes have this

 

I'm sure that a new bespoke loom and a power input direct from the battery will sort the issue but I await a few pearls of wisdowm from one of the other forum guys to confirm.

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I had some fitted to a citreon multispace 2014 model. When we removed the rear light fixture it had a label fixed to the wiring telling you not to connect anything, after talking to a local towbar fitter we had to fit a part a loop or something but they worked perfectly.
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I got reversing sensors off ebay for about £25. Wired them up to the reversing light OK. There are 4 holes cut-outs moulded into the X"/50 bumper for when they are factory fitted. Only problem is false alarms especially when the sensors are not very clean.

I installed a reversing camera as well so just have the sensor alarm as a last line of defence. It beeps continuously when I am about 18" away, but with the camera looking down at the bumper I can get within a couple of inches, and often need to do to get into tight parking spaces.

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Armstrong2 - 2017-08-02 3:21 PM

 

I wonder if it wil effect the canbus system when you Connect up.all newish motorhomes have this

 

Reversing sensor systems that are retro-fitted normally obtain their 12V power from the vehicle’s reversing-lights electrical circuit. There’s a fair amount of on-line discussion about the likelihood of this practice causing problems when the vehicle has CAN-bus electrical architecture

 

http://tinyurl.com/y7a5h39c

 

but in practice it seems to be the case that taking 12V power from the reversing-lights circuit won’t be problematical. I’m guessing that, even when a vehicle has the capability to detect that a reversing-light bulb has failed, increasing the demand on that circuit by the small amount needed to power a reversing sensor system will not be recognised (or will be ignored) by the vehicle’s electronics.

 

I fitted reversing sensors to my Herald Templar (sold in 2004) and installation was pretty straightforward.

 

Unless one is deaf I strongly suggest that the system include a loud ‘buzzer’ as well as a visual warning. Wireless systems are available (example here)

 

http://tinyurl.com/y7llk7vk

 

otherwise there will be a need to run a cable from the rear of the motorhome to the dashboard display and - if there’s just a buzzer - it would be wise to position this near to the cab area. Kits tend to be aimed at cars and, if the system is the ‘wired’ type, the connection cable may need extending.

 

The rear bumpers of most coachbuilt motorhomes will not have been designed for reversing sensors. The sensors are usually fitted by drilling holes in the bumper, but they can be attached beneath via brackets. Electromagnetic sensor kits are also marketed that require no drilling

 

http://www.parkingdynamics.co.uk/Electromagnetic-Parking-Sensor-Buyers-Guide

 

I can’t advise on which kit to buy, but buying from a specialist supplier would make sense as an unreliable/untrustworthy reversing-sensor system will be worse than having no system.

 

 

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I fitted wireless reversing sensors on my 2008 Ducato about 6 years ago, cost about £30 online. They have been both invaluable and faultless and are connected into the reversing light of our Rapido. We do get an occassional interference beep when driving through an urban area.

 

The transmitting unit is in a small tuperware box screwed up behind the rear skirt. The display sits on the little shelf near the ignition.

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