Snow Rearview Camera on Rear-mount snowblower tractor...Pros and Cons?

[HEC]

Has anyone had problems with any over heating as a few of the comments on these and other units did have problems both mounted inside and out to the point of melting some of the other cameras . Might be a good idea to keep a close watch on them for awhile at least .

 

[Threepoint]

Yes, I do agree about image quality, but the photo that Bullitt posted impressed me. I ordered the same unit(s) for that reason. I agree that wireless systems have interference issues.

My 50 bucks is not enough money to get anxious about, if the thing is junk. I wanted to try the concept of the idea at low cost...plus I have seen some pretty expensive gear that WAS junk.. Bullitt has done me a favor, by pioneering a cheap system..and he deserves thanks for that.

No, I do not think one should safetly depend solely on the camera for operation. It only can tell you if you are going in the correct path. I still intend to place rearview mirrors to give me other visual clues..and to turn and look behind me in a critical area, of course. I do not operate my tractor if there are persons, or other objects nearby, especially with a man-eating snowblower running.

Tractor machinery is dangerous if you are blase' about using it. It is dangerous whenever it is running. It is very much like gun safety. Mistakes, carelessness..kills people.

Jix, sounds like you've seen 94Bullitt's thread on this. He's done a lot of us a huge service by posting about the $28 7" monitor and the $12 HD camera. I've installed both (with the camera mounted outside under the cab overhang, rather than inside), and so far no problems with depth of field driving in reverse (carefully). I posted pics of the good image I get at post #120 on p. 12 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/316927-backup-camera-50-a-12.html.

I've put about 15 hrs on the tractor since the install, with the monitor and camera on throughout. No overheating or any other problems. Anyone with a cab tractor should consider doing this and share the joy! Haven't seen any posts yet where someone has tried to use a rear snow blower with this set-up. That will be interesting to see. Some of us have mounted the camera outside, others inside as you are thinking of doing. Should have some snow reports coming within the next couple of months.

 

[Code54]

A year or so ago I put a rear view camera on my RZR4 so I could see when I had two kids with helmets in the seat behind me and a big cooler in the cargo area. I used a very similar one to the unit posted in the other thread and just ordered another monitor/camera for $36 from Amazon (was $50 but there was a price drop) as it worked so well on my RZR4. I sold the RZR and ended up buying a new Mule and plan to install the same system on it seeing it worked so well on the RZR. I have been wiring camera's for a lot of years (20+) and always feel wired is best if it is possible. I have worked with a LOT of high end wireless stuff and even the best can have more problems than a simple wired connection. These cheapie cameras really are good for the price. The one on my RZR was soaked numerous times, bang and shook harder than a camera should. The screen was under the roof of the UTV but got wet when it was washed, and got jarred around a lot. The hot and cold had not effect on the camera or the monitor. For snow use having the camera in a heated enclosure may help with the picture clarity due to snow build up issues.

 

[jix]

Yes, Exactly!

I am putting the camera inside the cab, looking out thru the upper rear window. Big monitor on a suction cup mount on the front window...just above the steering window. it can be removed/relocated very quickly cause its a big window. Curved Mirrors are outside, like truck mirrors, on swivel mounts. It's a work in progress...creative thinking is the ticket. If at first I don't succeed, try it another way.

 

[rayclar]

I have a rear cam in my tractor and it helps a lot when backing up, as for snowblowing in reverse i still have to turn and look for myself when close to anything important. My neck still hurt alot after a hour, sooo i went to a front mount blower and solved all my problems.(neck). i do like the cam though as it give an extra eye.

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks for the kind words about the camera setup fellas. If anybody is looking for a smaller camera you can get them from amazon. There are 5', 4.5', and 3.5.'' Amazon.com: backup camera monitor

 

[PILOON]

Now that I have installed a system everything looks like it will be just great but so far no snow yet. (thanks)
Main concern at this time is that specs quote range 0 deg F to + 40, does that mean that in real cold the camera will not work? or is my heated cab going to override that spec. Only time and cold will tell. Otherwise the image works just fine. ($55. setup)

 

[94BULLITT]

Now that I have installed a system everything looks like it will be just great but so far no snow yet. (thanks)
Main concern at this time is that specs quote range 0 deg F to + 40, does that mean that in real cold the camera will not work? or is my heated cab going to override that spec. Only time and cold will tell. Otherwise the image works just fine. ($55. setup)

Since it is in the heated cab you should not have to worry about the operating temp.

 

[jix]

Now that I have installed a system everything looks like it will be just great but so far no snow yet. (thanks)
Main concern at this time is that specs quote range 0 deg F to + 40, does that mean that in real cold the camera will not work? or is my heated cab going to override that spec. Only time and cold will tell. Otherwise the image works just fine. ($55. setup)

I doubt that the cold will much effect the electronics. Silicon chips are pretty good in cold. The bigger issue is condensation inside the camera lens, or trhe image screen of the viewer, which freezes. Most damage would therefrom occur by the expansion of freezing water if the relative humidity gets high in the cab. If the camera is waterproof that would solve the problem for the most part, I would guess...only time will tell.

..but it is so cheap to replace, who cares..mirrors cost more anyways,

 

[Fallon]

I've seen LCDs (liquid crystal display) freeze in the cold. They just don't work until they warm up. No lasting damage once they start functioning again though.