Backup Camera--Can't See Ball When In Shadow

[newbury]

I've used (and posted about here) a $20 Wyze cam with a $13 battery for backup, latest using my phone as a hotspot.
Real easy, take the cam & battery, place it on the bumper (it has a magnetic mount) connect wirelessly with the phone, adjust the camera. Also works as a FEL cam.

Here's an example using it as a trailer back up cam, battery in the bag.

 

[bcp]

Cut a piece of aluminum foil about 4-5 inches across. Wrap it over the top of the ball, shiny side up. Back up until the ball is under the coupler. Remove the foil and lower the coupler. Save the foil for the next time.

I found it made a big improvement in hitching visibility when I painted the coupler silver instead of black.

You need to clearly see both the ball and the coupler.

Bruce

 

[TractorGuy]

Some great advice here.

I never thought about turning my lights on so the tag light would illuminate the hitch.

I think I will go out and clean my ball and couplers and paint them while it's on my mind.

I bought a new backup camera a while back that has led lights built in. I just haven't swapped it out. They are supposed to be white, not infrared so the night view remains in color. Today may be the day for that too.

EDIT: I got my ball and couplers painted. All I had that was bright was metallic gold. Painting the ball and coupler rims made a huge difference in visibility.

I also got around to installing the new camera I've had sitting for a couple of years. The white LEDs were supposed to make the night image clearer and in color. Instead they wash out the image at night. I am back shopping for a third camera. I am finding they all feed from RCA jacks and that is the only connection in I have so resolution is going to be limited no matter what.

 

[Williy]

Check these out???

Swift Hitch - Original Wireless Trailer Hitch Camera Since 2006

www.swifthitch.com

Welcome to the store

www.iballhitchcam.com

Hitchin' Rods

willy

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I've used (and posted about here) a $20 Wyze cam with a $13 battery for backup, latest using my phone as a hotspot.
Real easy, take the cam & battery, place it on the bumper (it has a magnetic mount) connect wirelessly with the phone, adjust the camera. Also works as a FEL cam.

It should work fine as long as you have a hot spot and can connect to Wyze's mothership. I considered this idea, but many areas (including my home) do not have adequate cellular service. Also, I don't want to add hotspot to my data plan. I'm looking for something equally simple, but peer to peer. Haven't found it yet.

 

[newbury]

It should work fine as long as you have a hot spot and can connect to Wyze's mothership. I considered this idea, but many areas (including my home) do not have adequate cellular service. Also, I don't want to add hotspot to my data plan. I'm looking for something equally simple, but peer to peer. Haven't found it yet.

My phone and plan came automatically with hotspot capability and it only uses a very little bit of data. Just remember to turn it off after your connected.

 

[metalbender]

A shiny new ball solved the problem for me.

 

[npalen]

Sorry to say that adding a bright LED next to one of the license plate lamps and shining on the ball did nothing to make the ball visible when in a shadow.

Will try the aluminum foil trick as mentioned by bcp in post #12 above. Also can see where painting the ball and coupler bright would help as others have suggested.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys!

 

[npalen]

I found the shiny foil on the hitch ball improves visibility greatly on the monitor! Now I need to paint the trailer coupler with a bright color.

 

[TractorGuy]

I painted my ball and couplers metallic gold and it helped a lot. When I swapped my rear camera out for one with white LED lights it washes out the distance view at night but does enhance the close up view of the ball and coupler. The camera with white LEDs has a much clearer daytime picture than my old one did. I ordered a couple different cheap cameras to try and see if one is better than another. They all connect to my head unit by RCA so image quality is somewhat regulated by that.