Always-on rear view camera for van

Soulcraft Electric · Sep 10, 2018

Slightly off topic, but is anyone aware of an always-on rear view camera that could be mounted on a retro-fitted rear view mirror? Van has a solid bulkhead and a reversing camera, but keen to have a permanent rear view option to spot those pesky cyclists ;-)

telectrix · Sep 10, 2018

just power the camera from an ignition on feed instead of from the reverse light.

ruston · Sep 10, 2018

Or do both so you can switch it off via an auxiliary switch.

diyterry · Sep 10, 2018

Soulcraft Electric said:
Slightly off topic, but is anyone aware of an always-on rear view camera that could be mounted on a retro-fitted rear view mirror? Van has a solid bulkhead and a reversing camera, but keen to have a permanent rear view option to spot those pesky cyclists ;-)

My Duritc reversing camera can be switched so it's always on.

telectrix · Sep 10, 2018

bought one a while ago. the screen clips onto the rear view mirror. that was wired as always on so i had a rear view "mirror" as well as a camera. ideal for solid bulkheads and/or all metal rear doors.

Soulcraft Electric · Sep 10, 2018

telectrix said:
bought one a while ago. the screen clips onto the rear view mirror. that was wired as always on so i had a rear view "mirror" as well as a camera. ideal for solid bulkheads and/or all metal rear doors.

Which device did you buy?

telectrix · Sep 11, 2018

was about 5 years ago. can't remember.

Squid · Sep 11, 2018

Power the camera from the cigarette lighter circuit as its fused and fit an override switch as well.

Check here for mirrors,

Audio Visual World - Rear View Mirror Monitors - Reversing Aids / Cameras - CAR MULTI-MEDIA - https://audiovisualworld.co.uk/car-multi-media/reversing-cameras/rear-view-mirror-monitors.html

or,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B4BF...&pd_rd_r=654f0827-b596-11e8-a1f4-150dcd1d19a7

littlespark · Oct 4, 2018

I've bought a cheap reversing camera from ebay that should override the image on the radio screen using a suitable video adaptor cable.
Currently looking for a suitable place to mount it on the back of the van.
Going to have a momentary push button for viewing while driving, also comes on when using reverse gear.
(using a relay, so my push button doesn't bring on the reverse lights

)
I should have bought a camera with an adjustable mounting bracket. The one I got is built into a wedge shaped piece of plastic and can only be mounted on a horizontal surface, upside down, to give the correct view.
Ideally I would have liked it on the vertical rear door of the van. The angle of view is correct, but the camera would then be upside down.
Looking for a solution to this. The camera is pretty well glued into the wedge so I cant turn it around.

Dan · Oct 4, 2018

I have that type too.

littlespark · Oct 4, 2018

Where did you stick it, Dan? I'm now thinking of either binning this one and getting one on an adjustable bracket, or somehow fix it to the inside of the rear bumper, drilling a hole in the bumper to view out?

I could take a hacksaw to the plastic wedge and remove the camera completely?... then stick it the van door somehow.

Dan · Oct 4, 2018

Ahhh I have one on a Kia Sedona so just inside the rear window. Keeps it clean and dry. I have a mate with a VW LT35 or whatever that has no windows in the doors that has drilled through the centre of the VW badge on the left door and sneaked it inside. You can't tell it's there looking unless you're right up to it.

You'd need do something clever like that.

Maybe a hole above the key lock so from a few feet away it looks like part of the lock?

littlespark · Oct 4, 2018

Citroen berlingo van. Rear doors are asymmetric, so it can be fitted fully on the main door to be central. No windows, would have to be drilled through the skin.

Has a detachable towbar, so a camera would help on hooking on a trailer, but my idea of fitting it inside the bumper, the towbar would be above the viewpoint and obscure the image.

Door handle height would be ideal, but needs to be at the right angle to see the towbar, and the road when reversing.

I think ill just get an adjustable bracket version, or cut this one up to make it adjustable.

rsgaz · Oct 4, 2018

Those wedge ones are supposed to be screwed upwards near where the numberplate lamps are...

littlespark · Oct 4, 2018

Yes, rsgaz…. but my number plate is higher, and off centre.

rsgaz · Oct 4, 2018

littlespark said:
Citroen berlingo van

Ah, that's not going to work then, the angle will be wrong, it will just be looking out, rather than down. A think an adjustable one is your only hope, but I think those big cube or rectangular ones look ridiculous, especially on a small van. A nice, compact, dome style would look good...

CCD Waterproof Night Car Reverse Camera Rear View Parking Adjustable Angle Small | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CCD-Waterproof-Night-Car-Reverse-Camera-Rear-View-Parking-Adjustable-Angle-Small/122541049930

Although that particular one doesn't show a fitted example of which way up it is supposed to fit.

littlespark said:
Door handle height would be ideal

I wouldn't go drilling any holes near the door handle/lock, that's just asking for some scrote to try and jamb a screwdriver through it on the off chance he can jimmy the door open. Whether he succeeds or not, you're still left with a bent up door skin.

rsgaz · Oct 4, 2018

How about up top, by the brake light with one of the adjustable dome type that fit into a 20mm hole.

Nearly ends up dead centre...

littlespark · Oct 4, 2018

I thought it would need to be lower down for it to have the right view.
The indent where the number plate is close, next to one of the lights, but too far over to the left to be a flat part.
The centre line of the van must be where the lock is. Midway between the parking sensors.

littlespark · Oct 9, 2018

Ok.. I've gone for another style of camera. Sits flat against the back of the door
Dan, did you say you've fitted one like this?
I've ran the video lead from the door under the liner, round the door trim and up the back of the dash to the back of the radio.
The video cable is a regular yellow ended RCA cable with a short length of red wire sticking out each end. I have no idea what this red wire is for.
The radio is the factory fitted for a citroen with 7 inch touchscreen. There is a spare port on the back, but I cant find any diagrams online to say what each port is. I am only assuming this spare port is an input for a camera.
The adaptor I bought is an RCA to Fakra plug (is that right?)
The plug and socket fit together, but the key slots on the plastic don't line up... i'll have to look for another adaptor.

Gavin John Hyde · Oct 10, 2018

why not just go for a wireless system, such as this.. Wireless Reversing Camera System with 7" Monitor - Truck Guard - https://www.truck-guard.co.uk/shop/wireless-reversing-camera-system?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxvbdBRC0ARIsAKmec9ZngEKfqfKXz6CRmOo6gUcIzfdn-bK1s8TXplzapn3bH38PoSOX8AQaAsLrEALw_wcB
a mate who is a courier has one on his renault traffic, does the job. not 100% how he wired the power for the camera but the monitor was a doddle to fit in the cab.

littlespark · Oct 10, 2018

That's just doing it the easy way, Gavin.
I'm trying to use the existing screen on my radio as the monitor, and ive got the video cable run between the camera position and the radio. Luckily it was exactly the right length.
Searching online for the radio type brings up nothing in the way of connection diagrams other than the ISO plugs for the power and speakers. There are other plugs for the USB port, remote volume control, etc.
The screen already changes to show the parking aid sensors when reversing. I'd like the camera to override this image, but keep the sensor beeping.

What tickled me was when looking at the back of the radio, theres a cable runs from the radio down to the lower part of the screen, and has a label with "SMEG" written on it...
So, googling this brings up "smeg head-unit"

Any Red Dwarf fans> "SMEEEE.... HEEEEEE!"

Gavin John Hyde · Oct 10, 2018

littlespark said:
That's just doing it the easy way, Gavin.
I'm trying to use the existing screen on my radio as the monitor, and ive got the video cable run between the camera position and the radio. Luckily it was exactly the right length.
Searching online for the radio type brings up nothing in the way of connection diagrams other than the ISO plugs for the power and speakers. There are other plugs for the USB port, remote volume control, etc.
The screen already changes to show the parking aid sensors when reversing. I'd like the camera to override this image, but keep the sensor beeping.

What tickled me was when looking at the back of the radio, theres a cable runs from the radio down to the lower part of the screen, and has a label with "SMEG" written on it...
So, googling this brings up "smeg head-unit"

Any Red Dwarf fans> "SMEEEE.... HEEEEEE!"

Reversing Camera | Reversing Cameras | Kits |... - https://www.parkingcameras.com/store/home.php

have a word with these people telling them what bits you have, and they will supply the missing parts or point you in the right direction.

MFS Electrical · Oct 10, 2018

littlespark said:
I've bought a cheap reversing camera from ebay that should override the image on the radio screen using a suitable video adaptor cable.
Currently looking for a suitable place to mount it on the back of the van.
Going to have a momentary push button for viewing while driving, also comes on when using reverse gear.
(using a relay, so my push button doesn't bring on the reverse lights )
I should have bought a camera with an adjustable mounting bracket. The one I got is built into a wedge shaped piece of plastic and can only be mounted on a horizontal surface, upside down, to give the correct view.
Ideally I would have liked it on the vertical rear door of the van. The angle of view is correct, but the camera would then be upside down.
Looking for a solution to this. The camera is pretty well glued into the wedge so I cant turn it around.

Can you not change the orientation of the picture on screen with the settings or did the spammers from a while back write the instructions?

littlespark · Oct 11, 2018

Thanks Gavin. I’ll try that website.

MFS: Instructions? What instructions?

John Brown · Dec 13, 2019

littlespark said:
I've bought a cheap reversing camera from ebay that should override the image on the radio screen using a suitable video adaptor cable.
Currently looking for a suitable place to mount it on the back of the van.
Going to have a momentary push button for viewing while driving, also comes on when using reverse gear.
(using a relay, so my push button doesn't bring on the reverse lights )
I should have bought a camera with an adjustable mounting bracket. The one I got is built into a wedge shaped piece of plastic and can only be mounted on a horizontal surface, upside down, to give the correct view.
Ideally I would have liked it on the vertical rear door of the van. The angle of view is correct, but the camera would then be upside down.
Looking for a solution to this. The camera is pretty well glued into the wedge so I cant turn it around.

See this post by chance. I hope your problem has been solved. I only have an instruction for reference. There are four ways for four different cameras. Maybe it can help you solve the problem. Hope it works.

littlespark · Dec 13, 2019

Thanks John, but I got the camera installed.
I purchased a camera that sits flat against the rear door. Drilled a hole so it’s just the lens showing, and it’s almost flush.
I had to use a separate screen as the radio fitted is digital and the camera output analogue. Cost for a converter was silly.
Powered from the 12v aux socket so on all the time the ignition is on.
(Spliced into the supply cables behind, not plugged in)

Working well until the van rolled into a stationery vehicle by itself. Not got round to fitting the camera into the new one yet.