OK, first part of the install of my new backup cams:
I have an Auto-Vox V5Pro rear view mirror/dash cam that I installed in 2021 to replace the mirror in the truck, since the camper blocks that view completely (I no longer have a front window in my PUMA… built cabinets there and reskinned the front wall without the window in it). It has worked great, but the camera I used in the back was one of many typical “license plate” cams that gives you a 170* field of view. Great for backing up, lousy for driving, because the vehicles behind you look MUCH further away than they actually are. Trying to find a high quality 45* or so field of view camera was tough, and then I bumped into these guys:
Reversing Camera Kit Specialist UK -...
I wanted the cameras in this kit -
White Twin Lens Bracket Reversing & Rear View... but they are not permitted to ship to Canada. So I contacted them, and Martin was super helpful and identified the model number and their source! I found it on Alibaba and was able to get a “sample” sent to me for “evaluation”. Dual camera was $61 USD, plus shipping. It is a Sony 700TVL sensor, which was the best I could find at the time . Seems they now have a 1024 AHD sensor for more $ now. I’d get that if I was ordering new.
I got this gear in June of last year, and am finally getting around to installing it.
My existing setup from behind:
Instead of having the wiring outside - I wanted a cleaner look – I decided to run the wiring inside. I’ve built out the inside of this camper, so I know where stuff is behind the walls. That gave me the guts to cut into the camper yet again. I pulled apart the rear driver’s side of my camper and expose the back wall.
Note the blue scotch type connectors. Factory installed, and as has been noted elsewhere, not the best type of connectors to use. The can cut the wire, or be intermittent. Lord help you find the problem when it is tucked into the walls like this.
First step was to see where I can position the cameras so that they get a nice top down view for backing up, and so they can see “behind” anything I have on the hitch, like my bike rack or a small trailer. I liked where the other one was, so… how close can I get? Well, not exactly where the old (small) camera was, as there are two large 1” x 2” supports welded in there. So, over a bit. Measurements were needed to be exact, but I ballparked 2” down and an inch or two over from the supports. Drilled the smallest hole possible and checked. OK, that will work. And I attached the mount, with black butyl tape in behind to seal the holes. The scarier holes were still to come, for the wiring grommets supplied with the camera.
Making some test holes in scrap siding, I found they worked best with a ¾” hole. These cameras are supposedly waterproof, but I added a bit of butyl rubber to their entry points (only one done in this pic)
And here it is mounted, from the inside:
And from the outside (Note the down loops, giving water a place to drip rather than finding its way to the grommets)
Still waiting on some wiring and adapters before I close it up and call it good. Unable to test which camera is which yet. They can be individually “aimed” up and down, so I intend to have the 45* view the normal, constant on view feeding the mirror, and have it pointing more horizontally towards traffic behind me. The other camera with its 170* view will point more downwards towards the bumper and bikes and such, for partking. I’m using this camera “splitter” that can handle up to 4 cameras. No need for the remote or anything fancy if just using these two cameras.
Here are the wiring bits stuck to the back wall
And covered up with insulation (no room for the 1/2" pink rigid foam at this point):
And vapor barrier back in place – with a reminder that there is wiring back here. I added a note on the 1/8” siding as well, since that get’s covered with the backsplash too (sorry no pic)
The only wires still to connect are power, video and reverse detect. Plus, I have to route them through the cabinets to under the camper so I can connect them to the existing wiring for the single camera.
More to come by next weekend.
www.corsa-technic.com
behind the center dash and display. The images I did get varied from solid blue to solid black with rainbow vertical lines, horizontal strips of varying width and found they depended on the battery voltage. Very repeatable.
