Rear View Camera Installation - Part 3

Update November 2018. I replaced the monitor with a duplicate this month.

This is Part 3 of a 3-part post about installing a rear view camera and monitor.

This part provides some information about the wiring for powering up the monitor via selector switch. I did only slight editing and so this is a bit longer than is necessary.

The photo shows the original GPS, the new monitor and the toggle switches. The right-most switch powers the 7-inch color monitor and wireless receiver. When the switch is in the "UP" position these are powered "ON" and the green LED is illuminated.

Test before Installing
Let me emphasize that it is extremely important to test everything before installing. This includes the camera, transmitter/receiver, monitor and any switch panel. Failure to do so can extend the time required by a substantial amount. It is also possible to do very expensive damage.

I estimate my total time for this project was about 8 hours. This includes the time spent reviewing different camera systems by different suppliers, the final selection process and the ordering and arrangement for filming as well as the actual installation time. Time was reduced by preparation of sketches before any wiring, thorough research of the existing camera system, and a careful check of the existing chassis wiring. Time was increased by the video filming. However, I did not include the time to put together this blog.

GPS and New Rear-View Monitor

Components
To provide some idea of what is required, here is a basic parts list for a single toggle switch installation:

1. Two-Position maintained contact toggle switch (I used a three position switch).
2. Green LED rated 12 VDC.
3. 1/2 watt resistor to limit the current through the LED.  680 Ohms recommended by LED manufacturer. 
4. Terminal Strip
5. Miscellaneous #18AWG wire in various colors (red, white, black, yellow)
6. Solder and soldering iron
7. Wire tags, wire ties, crimp-on terminals
8. Hand tools, drill, volt-ohmmeter, electrical tape, 12 volt battery for final system testing before installation. 

Alternative Approach
One can also use a simple cigarette-lighter plug which is available for about $5.00. This eliminates the switch panel, reduces the cost and substantially reduces the assembly time.

The Video

Rear View Camera Installation - Part 2

Update November 2018. I replaced the monitor with a duplicate this month.

I've been asked what I used, who the supplier was, how much it cost. and also a point was raised about possible problems with wireless cameras.

The following video shows some of the wiring issues for installing the monitor and provides further details about the actual install. There will be a part 3, which provides further details about the installation of the control switches. However, I do suggest that most readers consider using a simple "cigarette lighter" plug to power the receiver and monitor. I recommend this for several reasons:

1. The installed cost will be lower. 
2. The amount of work will be less. 

Before proceeding, I also want to address the following:

1. Question: Why haven't I published a parts list? Answer: This blog is not a specific recommendation for a specific product. I am willing to send an email to anyone who requests this information. However, I cannot certify or provide any warranty for products made by someone else and purchased or installed by the reader. 
2. Q: Why did I go wireless? A: Primary reason is to avoid running wiring from the front of the camper van to the rear. For older units which are out of warranty, this might be an acceptable solution. For a camper van which is under the CV manufacturer's warranty, making certain modifications might void a warranty. The changes I made were to the chassis and chassis electrical. There was no hole drilling in the coach section or running of wires through the camper coach. That should keep Roadtrek or whomever happy. 
3. Q: Are there issues with wireless transmitters and receivers for cameras? A: I can't say that I've encountered any to date with the units I purchased. These use technology similar to some of the wireless home phones, which has improved significantly in recent years. That said, I haven't stored the camper van at 0F or cooked it at 110F with the system installed. I will, of course, remove the monitor when not in use. How the camera and transmitter/receiver pair will fare over time is anyone's guess. I also need to state that I deliberately chose a transmitter/receiver rated 10 meters (about 33 feet maximum separation) and I also took steps to minimize anything between the transmitter/receiver pair which would reduce or interfere (attenuate) the signal. The actual separation is about 18 feet and with little or no metal to attenuate the signal.
4. Q: Do you recommend this procedure over the manufacturer's? A:  Certainly not. This is intended as an enhancement. I suspect that most camper van owners decide at one time or another to get enhancements or make limited improvements. That may be as simple as a water pressure regulator, a surge protector, or a better rear view camera system. 

So enjoy the video. Part 3 will show certain aspects of the toggle/selector switch fabrication.

Rear View Camera Installation

Update November 2018. I replaced the monitor with a duplicate this month.


The Roadtrek 210 came with an integral GPS and rear-view camera. The camera was wired to power-up when the vehicle is put in reverse. In my opinion these types of vehicles have serious obstructions of the rear view. Vans, be they MB Sprinters or Chevy Express vans have large central columns where the two rear doors join. Many of these vehicles also have rear couches and seats which further obstruct the rear view. This is not a problem limited to Roadtreks. It's inherent in the design of these vehicles which have been adapted for use as camper vans.

The solution is a good rear view camera with depth gauge, night (dusk) vision and color which can be used while the vehicle is in forward motion. I decided to add one. This photo shows the result. The gPS is to the left and the new rear-view monitor is to the right This will be one of several posts on the camera and monitor installation. The installation was not too difficult. There is a video at the end of this post which shows how a wireless camera was installed. Note, however, that 12VDC power is required and this is shown in the video. The next post on this subject will show the installation of the monitor.

GPS and New Rear-View Monitor

Selection of Components
I decided to make the install as simple as possible but I did have some requirements. To simplify I avoided front to rear wiring. I decided to use a wireless system and I selected the core components from two suppliers, with miscellaneous parts from a third.

1. Color Camera rear license mounted with (8) IR LEDs.
2. 7 inch color monitor with swivel mount.
3. Wireless transmitter and receiver.
4. Miscellaneous, including wire, two toggle switches, two green LED indicators, terminal block, etc. 

I purchased the components from three suppliers:

1. Amazon retailer for camera and monitor.
2. Amazon retailer for wireless transmitter/receiver.
3. Fry's electronics for toggle switches, LEDs, wire, terminal block. 

Cost of Basic Components

The cost of the camera with license plate bracket and (8) IR LEDs, color 7 inch monitor and transmitter/receiver pair was about $105 (US) plus shipping and any tax. 

The Components

Here are the three major components. The transmitter/receiver came in a bag with minimal information to aid assembly. 

Transmitter/Receiver Pair, Rearview Camera and Montior

Test Setup

I decided to build a test system which would power up the camera, monitor, transmitter and receiver. This was straightforward as I own a small, portable automotive compressor which includes a 12V DC battery and cigarette lighter plug-in.  I purchased the cigarette lighter plug and cord at Fry's. I checked the polarity f the camera and monitor and labelled the plug to match prior to wiring anything to the plug (red is positive:

Test Power Plug 

I then assembled the receiver and transmitter components and wired them to the test power plug. You will note that the monitor includes two RCA style plugs (yellow). This is because the monitor is a two channel device. One plug is for AV1 and the other for AV2. I covered the unused plug with electrical tape prior to installing. You will also notice that the transmitter includes a power cable with inline fuse and connector for power. It also includes a video connector. This made the wiring of the camera straightforward:

Monitor and Receiver Wiring with Temporary Power Wiring

Rear-View Camera and Transmitter with Temporary Power Wiring

Power Up the Test Wired Camera and Monitor

I then powered them up to see how well I had wired them and to see how they worked, prior to the more time consuming final installation. This is the image with the camera looking up at the ceiling in the living room:

Powered Up System in the Living Room

Final Details

At this point I was ready for the final details, which included a toggle switch to power-up the monitor on demand, and the design of the toggle switch plate. I also had decided to re-wire the rear view camera that came with the Roadtrek camper van. So I added a second toggle switch and LED. This could permit the use of the existing camera as an manual rear-veiw camera as well as an automatic backup camera powered when the vehicle is in reverse.

The video is not all-inclusive. I did drill a small hole in the plastic behind the license plate so I could pass the cable from the camera to the wireless trasmitter. This hole also served as the pass-through for the 12VDC power cable to the transmitter. This wiring is shown in the photo above. 

Both toggles and LEDs are shown in the first photo of this post.