I'm asking for some input about this backup camera for my 25.6 MB Lazy Daze:
Amazon.com: SENDOW Mirror Dual Dash Camera 7 Inch 1080P IPS Touch Screen... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076FKYPWC/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza)
My (possibly naive) idea is to use the cable that powered the CB radio to power the mirror, to use the antenna cable to get a connection onto the roof and then have a cable running on the roof to the camera in the back. I do not really care about having the camera turning on automatically when going into reverse gear; I think it's not a big deal to do this manually whenever needed. The camera has pretty good reviews - and is very inexpensive. Is it worth a try?
The camera would need to use the provided cable, the CB cable will not work. There are many ways to run the cameo’s cable.
Back up cameras are wonderful, ours is on whenever we are driving. It’ better than the mirrors and allows monitoring the toad.
Larry
"The camera has pretty good reviews..."
Jack of all trades, master of none.
Looks too complicated in my estimation, there are far simpler units that will do the same job. And how's your vision, better than mine I would hope. ::)
Nick-
You wouldn't happen to own a Garmin RV760 or RV770 GPS, would you? Garmin sells a companion wireless camera for each of those models. I installed the camera for the RV760 on our mid-bath, on a pivot so it could be pointed out the rear window when needed. It worked pretty well.
Mark
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
I installed a Garmin BC-30 wireless backup camera on my Subaru TOAD, and bought a GPS that would work with the camera. You should be able to attach the BC-30 to the area near your license plate OR use some 3M VHB tape to mount it on the faux tire cover. Either way, you would want to attach the sender unit to the wire going to the backup lights and tuck the sender in the taillight cavity. Its wireless signal would then not be blocked by the aluminum, and it should be viewable at the dash area on the GPS.
I strongly recommend getting the larger GPS as the image on a 5" unit is pretty small.
Ken F in WY
Like a previous poster said, those LD backup cameras seem way too expensive, until you back up into your house or another truck lol 💰
Then they seem cheap and low priced! 🐯
I do have an Garmin RV 770 and I bought now the Garmin BC-30, thinking that this would be the best solution and fairly easy to install. With all parts in front of me I'm not so sure anymore, mainly because the base to mount the camera to the vehicle looks different than what I imagined from the photos.
I want the camera to be above the rear window, just below the middle clearance light.
I added a picture of the back of the camera with the base connected to it. To attach base and camera to the vehicle it would be best to drill one bigger hole (about 1/4 inch) for the camera cable and two smaller ones pretty close to the bigger one for the screws. Would it be possible to do that and to have everything well sealed? Or would it be better to get some kind of bigger plate, have a hole for the camera cable in it, attach the camera to it, and then attach the plate to the vehicle?
Nick-
I like the bigger-plate idea. It would be easier to seal, and more flexible for future camera replacements.
Mark H.
Nick, I would not put it above the window. You need to connect it to the backup light wire. You could mount it on the faux spare tire cover, or on your license plate, but you do want to have it close to the backup lights.
Ken F in WY
You need to connect it to the backup light wire.
That might be not so difficult and requiring only two additional holes. The backup wire is in a wire loom at the left (driver side) rear interior corner of the coach behind a removable panel that can be reached through the outer left rear luggage compartment.
It should be possible to run the camera/transmitter wire from the cabinet above the rear window to the left (driver side) corner and from there behind these incredibly attractive ornamental side covers of the windows ( :D ) down to the luggage compartment and to the wire loom.
I will have to check on this a little more but I think that is the way to go. I could then even connect the camera to the rear lights instead of the backup lights and could use the camera whenever the lights are on.
Nick,
Of the few options my DW and I included in our build was the Back-Up Camera. I waited long enough for our retirement RV and I didn’t want to mess with the camera installation.
Is it the best one out there? I couldn’t tell you. I know it works when I stick the LD in reverse and I can switch it on while I’m heading forward. I can hear my DW when she gives me “gentle” and encouraging instructions while I back out of our driveway and into camp. That’s good enough for me. I consider it money well spent and I didn’t have to screw up the installation.
Here is a shot of where LD installed our camera.
Good luck with your installation. I’m done with mine. 🤗
Kent
Nick-
The disadvantage to using the backup signal is that you can use the camera only when backing up. If you connect to a constant 12V source, you can use it any time it has power.
You don't need to keep the lights on. There's 12V to the lights on the upstream side of the light switches. Just wire in a separate switch for the camera and you can leave the lights off.
When I used the BC-20, I built a "turntable" arm that attached to the valance, above the rear window. When underway, we pointed the camera out the window. When not underway, we swung the arm parallel to the valence, so we could open and close the shade. We removed all the wires, so all you had to stare at was the arm. I still have the arm, by the way.
12V came from the cigarette lighter socket immediately below the window, with an inline switch. The camera was on whenever we went down the road.
Mark H
This is good to read. I'm in the market for a better solution than the one I've got: wireless 3" display with a license-plate mount camera. The offset from center makes it pretty worthless for things like hitching and more complex maneuvering than general backing up. The display is too small to see the detail I want. The wireless signal barely reaches the receiver.
I'm considering mounting a camera just above the spare tire cover, with a bracket extending from a tire mounting bolt, fastened behind the tire. It would peek up just above the cover, and have a stabilizing bit of foam tape if required to dampen vibrations. There's an existing hole where the trailer wiring exits the coach body that I can route power and video/audio through on its way up front. I'd rather have a few inches of visible cable than another hole in the coachwork. (3M VHB tape would be good enough for light cameras -- no fasteners required at all...)
When I used the BC-20, I built a "turntable" arm that attached to the valance, above the rear window. When underway, we pointed the camera out the window. When not underway, we swung the arm parallel to the valence, so we could open and close the shade. We removed all the wires, so all you had to stare at was the arm. I still have the arm, by the way.
That's an interesting idea. Could you post a picture of this arm, and would you possibly be willing to sell it to me?
Nick-
I remembered that I had posted an album on this site some time ago. Here's the link (http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=64).
Yup, the arm could use a new home. I'll send it to you with the equipment mounted on it for testing. It may work as-is. If not, you can replace it with the BC-30 gear. I'll only want it back if you can't use it. Send me a private message that includes your e-mail address and we'll take discussions about shipping and such over there.
Mark H
Chip-
I used the spare tire cover to mount a Center-Mounted High Stop Light (CHMSL). Here is a link (http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=568) to the photo album for that project. It may give you some ideas for your proposed camera mount.
Mark H
Many thanks to Mark who sent me his camera arm - even with a camera still in it. I installed the arm and it basically works well with my RV 770. However, I have to say that I am not at all satisfied with the picture quality of this $170 BC 30 camera from Garmin. The picture is very fuzzy. I'm willing to bet a lot of money that the pictures that Garmin shows on their website have not been taken with a Garmin BC 30. Especially at night the camera has hardly any value.
Does anybody use an aftermarket backup camera (wired or wireless) with a good picture? It probably would have to be camera with a better resolution than 640 x 480. I definitely want to have a backup camera but I am considering to return the Garmin BC 30 if I can find something else with a better picture quality.
Nick, I am surprised to hear that. My BC-30, connected to a 5" Garmin GPS, gives me a reasonably clear image.
Ken F in WY
All,
Rand McNally now has a license plate mounted wifi back up camera that connects to a smart phone app or their overdryve 7 GPS.
My BC-30, connected to a 5" Garmin GPS, gives me a reasonably clear image.
Interesting. I have to admit that the arm is right now equipped with the BC 20 that Mark used (he sent the complete device to me). From all that I know the BC 20 and BC 30 are identical cameras. I will nevertheless exchange the cameras and see whether that makes a difference.
When installing back up cameras, I mount them centered, high on the rear, where they can be aimed down to monitor a toad or aimed higher, as a rear view mirror.
They are easy to adjust.
I prefer hardwired models, having much better long term durability and signal quality, and use water-proof, marine thru fittings to access the interior.
Here is an example of what I use.
Amazon.com : Rear View Safety Backup Camera System with 7" Display (Black)... (https://www.amazon.com/Rear-View-Safety-Display-RVS-770613/dp/B002GM5GKO?ref=ast_p_ei)
Backup camera & monitor | Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602095131020)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1121/1416465334_9dfac4fb90.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/3aaKN7)
Larry
Larry,
Where did you pickup your 12 volt power from? I'm in the process of an install now and looking at the 12 volt line to the 12volt outlet on the inside back wall of the Twin King.
Hi Kentuckian, I have a '99 TKB. I bought the back up camera package from the factory. The shelf inside the overhead cabinet across the back is held on with tiny brass screws (at least in mine). You can remove the shelf, 1/8" plywood, and it is hollow underneath. LD ran the wire for the camera through the wall to the outside there, lined up with the center red marker light out side. I didn't have a 12 v.dc plug anywhere in the vicinity. Inside the back wall of your driver side storage compartment, that white panel can be removed. Your license plate lights, Brake lights and Reverse lights are accessible.(remove the fiberglass insulation temporarily) You can use power from the reverse light to power your camera. The brown wire in the far upper right corner goes up through a channel to power your marker lights.
Now I haven't done this, and on a friends Mid Bath, I ran out of time. I WAS going to carefully drill into the corner from inside the hollow shelf. Don't hit that brown wire, but run a new wire, (and video cable) back down to the storage compartment. I'm not sure if that channel is clear, but the brown wire seemed loose, that there should have been a way to get a cable through there.
If you can get a fish tape in, that is where I would run the wiring, and it can be hooked up. I ran 1/2" split loom down through the floor next to the tailights and forward to the engine compartment (that was a lot of work) to under the dash and engine compartment. You could put a fuse and switch by the driver. That switched +12v. could go to a relay in the back compartment to supply power to the camera when you aren't in 'Reverse', if you use a relay. Hope I didn't confuse you too much. RonB
Just a suggestion: if/when fishing around for LD wiring and/or intending to splice additional or replacement wires to LD’s, be *sure* to alligator clip the LD wire to prevent it from vanishing into the innards of whatever one is working on. LD is very stingy about allowing much, if any, play in wire length!
RonB, Thank you for the great detailed description. I've already been in the driver side storage tail light area. Yep, that is where I'll pickup my reverse signal connection. I'll take a look inside the wall of the upper cabinet and see what wiring mine has up there...
JCT, That sounds like a tip based on experience . Good reminder! <smile>
Hi Kentuckian. Start inside the bottom of the upper storage compartment, and you may not need to remove the inside wall area. But at least that is inside the compartment, so access holes/coverplates wouldn't normally be visible. Good luck, take pictures and let us know how it turned out. MidBath owners have the same 'inside the storage compartment' access to wiring. RonB
I recently installed the RVS-813613 from Rear View Safety on my new to me 2003 T/K. The picture is very clear and in color. It has night vision. It has two cameras. One I have pointed down directly behind the motor home and the other angled back further as if to watch the towd (which I do not have) or traffic behind me. For mounting I glued a small piece of wood below the middle rear marker clearance light to the motor home and mounted the camera to the wood. Ran the cords up the roof. Attached the cables inside some cable track which I sealed to the roof. Ran the cables down the black tank vent into the cab over bed area, then behind the drivers seat below the floor/door plate to a vehicle ignition hot wire. Used double sided tape and mounted the monitor mount very high on the windshield. I bought the model with two cameras so I can switch between them at the touch of a button to see directly behind me when backing and further behind me when pulling out or if I ever tow anything. Only problem I had was with the original camera the night vision was milky white. I had to return the original camera but the replacement one works fine. I recommend this to anyone looking to add a new camera.
John 2003 T/K and 1987 MP w/Roof Sleeper(selling)
Where did you pickup your 12 volt power from? I'm in the process of an install now and looking at the 12 volt line to the 12volt outlet on the inside back wall of the Twin King.
The camera is hardwired. The cable, from the monitor to the camera, supplies power from the dash.
In our 23,5' FL, power could also be provided from the bathroom ceiling light, using surface mount wire molding.
In a a T/K, power can be accessed in either the port or starboard side florescent fixtures by prying up the bottom of the shelves.
Under the 1/8" plywood paneling shelving, 12-volt power is available. Make sure not to overload the circuit.
Larry
Thank you for all the tips on wiring options. That gives me a number of starting points for my camera install!
RonB, We are going to have to rendezvous sometime. It looks like we both have Blue M23 TKs and both pulling vintage tin top 4x4
Trackers!
Hi Kentuckian, a great combination. My Tracker has 118k miles. Bought used at 110k a few years ago. Just converted to R-134D refrigerant in air conditioning. Harder to find parts now. RonB
Interesting. I have to admit that the arm is right now equipped with the BC 20 that Mark used (he sent the complete device to me). From all that I know the BC 20 and BC 30 are identical cameras. I will nevertheless exchange the cameras and see whether that makes a difference.
Nick-
I found the BC-20 with the RV760 was fine for daytime use. As the camera does not have infrared receptors, it doesn't work well at night unless there is adequate artificial light. We try not to travel after dark, so that was not a problem for us.
You should be able to test the RV 770 with the BC-30, its transmitter and receiver, without mounting it, by using a 12V power supply. I did this in my house with the Garmin camera and with another vendor's wireless camera. (
That camera was really poor in resolution and range.) I keep a few different models of 12V power supplies around for various electronic projects, both AC and DC (cigarette lighter) versions.
Give the 770/BC-30 a try. If that doesn't work, you may still be able to use the 770 with a wired camera. We did that on our current Class A. The camera was fine, but the display was old and mounted in a poor place. I ran the video output of the wired camera to the input on the Garmin 760. That works well. It also saves us having a second display on the dash.
Finally, an opinion on rear-view cameras: On the road, I use the camera a lot less often once I learned how to use the mirrors. Mostly, this is because the camera view is such a wide-angle that anything you see in it is already too close. I do "pop over" to look at the toad now and then, either on the road or when I'm maneuvering forward in tight spaces, such as in a gas station. I do like having the camera always on, rather than only active during reverse moves.
Mark H