Rear View Camera

[bob_wood]

amazon.com has several backup cameras

Amazon.com: backup camera

bob

 

[Wombat125]

Google vr3 wireless backup camera and find several reviews and YouTube videos of this product. It apparently works well enough, but I'm thinking that a 2.5" screen in bright sunlight is going to be kind of sketchy. Might work best if you have a cab, or even a canopy.

 

[mjncad]

I've got two Fleabay cameras, one of which looks identical to one on Amazon.com. My 10" monitor came from Fleabay too.

What I'm finding is that with the LCD monitor, glare is an issue. I spent an afternoon playing around with black foam core hoods to control glare to no avail. But if I hung a shield from the ROPS behind me, it negated the majority of the glare. OK, this is a good starting point to figure out something more permanent.

The other issue is glare on the cameras. The 120-degree wide angle has a built-in fold down shield that does little if anything to help. The 53-degree doesn't have a hood; but I cupped my hand around it to simulate a hood, and it helped quite a bit.

The other part of my glare problem is that I have the cameras mounted up high, and aimed downwards at a steep angle, which is getting reflection from the ground. I think once I move the cameras down lower (behind the seat), that should help a bit too. Also they will be under the canopy for some extra shade.

I'm also going to look and see if I can find some non-prescription photochromic plastic sheet (Transitions, Photogray) to make sunglasses for the cameras. I may also look into polarizing plastic sheets too.

Bottom line; when the lighting conditions are right, the cameras are a great help; but are worthless during the day if there is significant glare.

Picasa Web Albums - Matt - Lights, Camer...

 

[diesel7.3]

try ebay they have day and night cameras that run off 12 volts they have the leds for some night vision.i think last time i checked they were about $35 make sure they say water proff not weather proff.but you still have to get a moniter.

 

[FrogLick]

Don't know about Pep Boys, but I've never had any problem returning something to WalMart so you could try it and return if it didn't do the job for you.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I did some research on it - VR3 doesn't exactly get glowing quality reviews - big rec is to get the 2 year warranty you'll need it people say.

I think its another case of you get what you pay for - the commercial systems seem to run around 600-800, and I'm guessing deliver. Thats basically what the option charge was for my truck backup camera as well.

I've decided to sit tight - I imagine like any other electronics they'll keep getting better and cheaper

 

[Stampeder]

MJNCAD:
What type of monitor are you using? I want to install one in my cab tractor. Since you now have two cameras how are you switching between them? Also, when you built your relay panel whose relays did you use, what model number?
I like the layout you did, nice neat job, well thought out.
Regards.
Glenn.

 

[mjncad]

MJNCAD:
What type of monitor are you using? I want to install one in my cab tractor. Since you now have two cameras how are you switching between them? Also, when you built your relay panel whose relays did you use, what model number?
I like the layout you did, nice neat job, well thought out.
Regards.
Glenn.

Glenn:

The monitor I have is a bare bones (e.g. no speakers, no DVD player) 10" flip down monitor that has two video inputs. There is a switch on the monitor front to switch from video 1 to 2 and back again. It does have a dome light, which I hooked up; but that is the only bell & whistle of any significance. The monitor was made in China <GRRR>, so the brand name is a moot point. I suggest you go to eBay and start hunting for a monitor that looks like it will serve your purposes.

The monitor and cameras use so little current that I didn't see the need to run them through a relay.

As for relays, I got them at Del City Del City - Wiring Products and Professional Electrical Supplies. The relays I used are specialty relays. I used the prewired relay harnesses; but if I did it over again, I would have gotten the sockets with the terminals as there is less chance of having to splice a wire mid run. Relay Harnesses & Materials. The switch controlled side of the relay uses 18ga wire and the load side uses 14ga or heavier depending on application.

I hope this helps Glenn. If you add a monitor and camera(s) to your cab tractor, let us know how it works out.

Thanks for the compliments!

 

[DGS]

The problem I have found are that they have to have a lot of light to illuminate what your looking at
It would be absolutley usseless in winter snowblowing with snow sticking to window or the lens and also the monitor if on an open station machine

Glare in the bright sunlight is an issue also
DGS

 

[crbr]

I have one on my truck. You can't imagine how handy it is to hook up a trailer. You put the hitch right over the ball and you are done.

Picture of the mounted camera?