03-21-2021, 09:04 PM
Just finished up a camera/monitor install on the coach this weekend and thought I would share the process with everyone.
It had been my intent to do this shortly after we bought the coach because the picture quality was really bad. But you all know how it goes, other things pop up and this became less important. Recently it percolated back to the top of the list as my monitor lost video signal.
I had power at the monitor and a good connection of the cable at the monitor and camera. Upon further investigation I discovered that whoever installed the last system actually ran the cable (from the camera to the monitor) down inside the rear cap and underneath the full length of the coach (I swear) and then up through the floor to the monitor. I have been under my coach a couple times and never noticed it before. It looks like one of the plastic wire ties that was used to secure the cable finally failed, or something snagged it. Either way, it was toast and gave me a good excuse to install a new system.
I have a friend who works for a German company that makes cameras and monitors and he hooked me up with some new high tech equipment.
10" Full digital touch screen display. Resolution is 1280 x720 (to put that into perspective. my old display resolution was 320 x 234).
1.2 MP Digital Ethernet Camera
Started off by taking the center console apart to get the old monitor out. I was a little concerned that the 10" monitor was going to be too big. No where on the dash or hanging overhead really made sense. Anywhere on the dash would have blocked too much direct vision and if I hung from the bottom of the overhead cabinets, I would have had the power and camera cables hanging down as well. Finally decided to install it in same place as the current monitor. The challenge was how to mount it since there is no way a 10" display is going to fit in the same hole the 7" was sitting in. Decided to use a dual ball-joint RAM mount (see pic) and mounted it inside the hole. This allowed me to adjust the monitor position so that there was no interference with the center console lid or switches.
I also decided to run the cable the proper way this time. This required removing the valences and the corner covers to access the harness runs. Had to remove the access panels in the closets and cabinets as well. A little tight every now and then but not overly complicated. This was a first for me and it was a great learning experience.
Mounting the camera was pretty straight forward. A few minor tweaks and all was done. The end result is awesome. I am posting a bunch of pictures and tried to get some with the picture shown in the monitor.
It had been my intent to do this shortly after we bought the coach because the picture quality was really bad. But you all know how it goes, other things pop up and this became less important. Recently it percolated back to the top of the list as my monitor lost video signal.
I had power at the monitor and a good connection of the cable at the monitor and camera. Upon further investigation I discovered that whoever installed the last system actually ran the cable (from the camera to the monitor) down inside the rear cap and underneath the full length of the coach (I swear) and then up through the floor to the monitor. I have been under my coach a couple times and never noticed it before. It looks like one of the plastic wire ties that was used to secure the cable finally failed, or something snagged it. Either way, it was toast and gave me a good excuse to install a new system.
I have a friend who works for a German company that makes cameras and monitors and he hooked me up with some new high tech equipment.
10" Full digital touch screen display. Resolution is 1280 x720 (to put that into perspective. my old display resolution was 320 x 234).
1.2 MP Digital Ethernet Camera
Started off by taking the center console apart to get the old monitor out. I was a little concerned that the 10" monitor was going to be too big. No where on the dash or hanging overhead really made sense. Anywhere on the dash would have blocked too much direct vision and if I hung from the bottom of the overhead cabinets, I would have had the power and camera cables hanging down as well. Finally decided to install it in same place as the current monitor. The challenge was how to mount it since there is no way a 10" display is going to fit in the same hole the 7" was sitting in. Decided to use a dual ball-joint RAM mount (see pic) and mounted it inside the hole. This allowed me to adjust the monitor position so that there was no interference with the center console lid or switches.
I also decided to run the cable the proper way this time. This required removing the valences and the corner covers to access the harness runs. Had to remove the access panels in the closets and cabinets as well. A little tight every now and then but not overly complicated. This was a first for me and it was a great learning experience.
Mounting the camera was pretty straight forward. A few minor tweaks and all was done. The end result is awesome. I am posting a bunch of pictures and tried to get some with the picture shown in the monitor.
Tony and Cindy Frazier
1992, #300
2023 Ford Broncos Bad lands Toad
Columbia, SC