Easiest way to wire backup camera
Most RVers love the idea of a backup camera. Great for actually "Backing Up!" and also to watch the toad or to simply see what is behind you while traveling down the road.
Backup camera systems can be purchased on Ebay and Amazon for under $50. And the video quality is quite good. I've installed over a dozen of them in friends and families vehicles over the past few years.
I couple years ago I bought this system and installed it on my truck which tows a Toy Hauler and various other trailers. For $38 it is amazing piece of electronics gear.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C76ZXC?keywords=backup%20cameras&qid=1445273441&ref_=sr_1_17&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A3449110011&s=car&sr=1-17
The camera is mounted over the license plate and it is a huge aid to backing up to attach the trailer.
But I also want a camera at the rear of the trailer. Backing into a tight camping spot or simply to see what is behind me while traveling down the road.
I bought a second camera similar to the one that came with the above system on Amazon. The TV monitor has two inputs so I would be able to switch back and forth between them.
But running a wire 23' from the back of the trailer to the truck and then another 20 feet or so to the trucks dashboard seemed daunting. Plus I'd need some type of quick disconnect for when the trailer wasn't attached.
In searching for another solution I found a 2.4G wireless transmitter and receiver that can send the video signal from the camera to the TV monitor, in full color, wirelessly. This kit only cost $10 so I figured I'd take a chance.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Z9E4DW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I work in the RF boradcast industry. We build and market digital modulators for the transmission of HD video signal over coax cable. We always preach Rule #1...."If you can use wire...use it!"..."Trust the copper!"... I'm not a huge fan of anything "wireless" as I see lots of issues with interference and poor video quality. But sometimes ease of installation trumps using the wire...
So this wireless system shows up in under 48 hours from Amazon (How do they do that!!!)and I hooked the receiver up in the truck. The transmitter I hooked to a small 12V test battery I use and tried out the distance by walking away with the camera and into the rear yard of my house. At over 150' away, going through a couple walls and the steel body of the truck, it worked GREAT! Video quality is amazing!
From the rear of the trailer to the cab of the truck is no problem.
I mounted the camera above the rear loading gate on the Toy Hauler and grabbed power from the center clearance light. Took all of 20 minutes!
Turn on the TV in the trucks cab and VOILA! We have video!
We'll have to see how long this inexpensive solution lasts, but it appears to be well made and should be fine. Time will tell!
Backup camera systems can be purchased on Ebay and Amazon for under $50. And the video quality is quite good. I've installed over a dozen of them in friends and families vehicles over the past few years.
I couple years ago I bought this system and installed it on my truck which tows a Toy Hauler and various other trailers. For $38 it is amazing piece of electronics gear.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C76ZXC?keywords=backup%20cameras&qid=1445273441&ref_=sr_1_17&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A3449110011&s=car&sr=1-17
The camera is mounted over the license plate and it is a huge aid to backing up to attach the trailer.
But I also want a camera at the rear of the trailer. Backing into a tight camping spot or simply to see what is behind me while traveling down the road.
I bought a second camera similar to the one that came with the above system on Amazon. The TV monitor has two inputs so I would be able to switch back and forth between them.
But running a wire 23' from the back of the trailer to the truck and then another 20 feet or so to the trucks dashboard seemed daunting. Plus I'd need some type of quick disconnect for when the trailer wasn't attached.
In searching for another solution I found a 2.4G wireless transmitter and receiver that can send the video signal from the camera to the TV monitor, in full color, wirelessly. This kit only cost $10 so I figured I'd take a chance.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Z9E4DW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I work in the RF boradcast industry. We build and market digital modulators for the transmission of HD video signal over coax cable. We always preach Rule #1...."If you can use wire...use it!"..."Trust the copper!"... I'm not a huge fan of anything "wireless" as I see lots of issues with interference and poor video quality. But sometimes ease of installation trumps using the wire...
So this wireless system shows up in under 48 hours from Amazon (How do they do that!!!)and I hooked the receiver up in the truck. The transmitter I hooked to a small 12V test battery I use and tried out the distance by walking away with the camera and into the rear yard of my house. At over 150' away, going through a couple walls and the steel body of the truck, it worked GREAT! Video quality is amazing!
From the rear of the trailer to the cab of the truck is no problem.
I mounted the camera above the rear loading gate on the Toy Hauler and grabbed power from the center clearance light. Took all of 20 minutes!
Turn on the TV in the trucks cab and VOILA! We have video!
We'll have to see how long this inexpensive solution lasts, but it appears to be well made and should be fine. Time will tell!
