My MH has the Jensen RV212TB which has conveniently decided to take a dump about one year out of warranty. The screen starts to fade, freeze and then goes black. I have checked all wiring, reset about half a billion times, unplugged and let the capacitors deplete, and it works for a while and then starts failing again. Jensen won't replace it, they won't even fix them, it's a throw away item. I have read reviews of this unit and it's apparently junk and usually fails in 1-2 years. They have stopped making them. Does anyone know what a reasonable replacement would be for this unit? I did like that it had radio, cd, and aux input as well as the camera itself. I don't want to spend a lot of money (this unit apparently retailed for about $600-800). Unbelievable. Is there a plug and play unit that can be used? It has the 3 camera inputs but I turned off the mirror cams - they were distracting and I like to see how the car tracks behind the MH so I just use the rear cam. I don't need/want GPS either. Just a radio that allows me to use the existing wiring and camera(s).Thanks

I've had good luck with these guys . They have a lot of this type of product and they were very helpful when I was trying to retro my coax backup camera. Even sent me the proper connectors for free.

I replace a much older CRT based monitor with an LCD version off AMAZON. Wasn't an exact fit but worked out well.

We just installed this system on all of our vehicles at work. Good quality picture and seems to be of quality build. RVS Backup Camera System

These are all good suggestions. How can I tell if the harness and wiring for the existing camera will work? I really don't want to chase new wires for a new camera. The camera itself is fine. Just the in-dash monitor needs replaced.

Replacement for Jensen Back up monitor | Good Sam Community

Effy
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2015
Pirate wrote:
Effy wrote:
Pirate wrote:
Call Jensen and ask them. At one point I was going to replace my b/w unit with color. I thought they gave me options to use existing wiring.

I have. It's out of warranty and basically they don't care. They won't fix it, and the won't replace it either. It's an $800 wheel chock.
I didn't say anything about asking for replacement for free. I said ask them about new equipment using your existing wiring - on your dime.

Because the replacement is about $600 - 800 and frankly I would rather have a name brand I have more confidence in. I can get a Pioneer or Kenwood with more features (DVD, Blu Ray, etc) for about 1/4 the cost. Jensen has pretty bad reviews and in my experience thus far I tend to agree.
Pirate1
Explorer
Jul 02, 2015
Effy wrote:
Pirate wrote:
Call Jensen and ask them. At one point I was going to replace my b/w unit with color. I thought they gave me options to use existing wiring.

I have. It's out of warranty and basically they don't care. They won't fix it, and the won't replace it either. It's an $800 wheel chock.
I didn't say anything about asking for replacement for free. I said ask them about new equipment using your existing wiring - on your dime.
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
I over engineered my set up a bit. The dash monitor has dual inputs so I added a camera to the CRV along with a wireless video transmitter connected to the second input. The transmitter is powered by the coach using a six wire plug for tail lights rather than a four wire. The camera and transmitter are only active when towing and I can switch displays by hitting a button on the front of the monitor.

I buried the transmitter in the rear door of the CRV while the receiver is in the dash of the coach. Even with the distance and a few obstructions between the two I still get a good image on the monitor. Gives me a different view while going down the road particularly when making lane changes but not so much when back since that's something I avoid when towing.
Effy
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
Thanks Dale!
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
Dale.Traveling wrote:
Effy wrote:
These are all good suggestions. How can I tell if the harness and wiring for the existing camera will work? I really don't want to chase new wires for a new camera. The camera itself is fine. Just the in-dash monitor needs replaced.
I'll post an image of the camera and monitor connectors later tonight. I mixed and match my set up and the connectors all matched up male and female.

Cable from camera to monitor.

Cable from monitor to camera, side view.

Cable from monitor to camera, pin view.
Effy
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
Pirate wrote:
Call Jensen and ask them. At one point I was going to replace my b/w unit with color. I thought they gave me options to use existing wiring.

I have. It's out of warranty and basically they don't care. They won't fix it, and the won't replace it either. It's an $800 wheel chock.
Pirate1
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
Call Jensen and ask them. At one point I was going to replace my b/w unit with color. I thought they gave me options to use existing wiring.
Jim
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
Well, what you're describing kind of says that the supply solenoid in the BCC is not the problem.

Good luck.
Effy
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2015
Jim@HiTek wrote:
I've found generics around for $90. They are all over so I won't link just one (Amazon) because that would be unfair to the other retailers.

Just wondering though...is it possible you're losing power to the monitor? Because there's a well known issue with backup cameras/monitors in RVs not drawing enough power...which causes the contacts in the power solenoid (looks like a automotive start relay) to carbonize and develop a high resistance to low current devices. So they behave like what you're seeing with your camera.

If you think that it might be losing power, find your BCC (battery control center) and locate the solenoid that supplies battery power to the camera and monitor. Next time your backup image fades away, go whack that solenoid with a rubber mallet. If the picture comes back, means you just need a new solenoid. If not, at least you got the opportunity to whack something in your RV.

Thanks Jim, I will check that. The radio continues to function and often the screen will fade, or get stripes or just go blank. It's weird. But all the while the radio still works and produces sound. In the research I've done on this unit, it's a common problem and lots of folks explain the exact same symptoms so I'm leaning toward the unit itself. Usually the result from everyone else I've read is that it becomes a nice boat anchor. I will say it gets very hot when this happens. Almost too hot to touch. Could be a result of attempting to draw more current than is being supplied which sounds like it could be a solenoid issue. When it cools down it usually works ok. Almost like a board is warping. At any rate, according to a lot of folks, it's junk. The touch screen has never worked very well, the switch from camera to camera gets static between changes and they are lengthy at times. I found some decent replacements - name brand stuff - for 1/4 the prices of this paperweight.
Jim
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
I've found generics around for $90. They are all over so I won't link just one (Amazon) because that would be unfair to the other retailers.

Just wondering though...is it possible you're losing power to the monitor? Because there's a well known issue with backup cameras/monitors in RVs not drawing enough power...which causes the contacts in the power solenoid (looks like a automotive start relay) to carbonize and develop a high resistance to low current devices. So they behave like what you're seeing with your camera.

If you think that it might be losing power, find your BCC (battery control center) and locate the solenoid that supplies battery power to the camera and monitor. Next time your backup image fades away, go whack that solenoid with a rubber mallet. If the picture comes back, means you just need a new solenoid. If not, at least you got the opportunity to whack something in your RV.