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Backup camera - wiring question
Having retired and freed up lots more time for RVing, I am working on getting our 2003 mid-bath back in top shape.  We already drove over 1000 miles to take it to the mothership for a few repairs I didn't feel up to.  OK, we were visiting our oldest son in LA, as well. They did a great job and now I am doing a bunch of other things, including joining this LD forum (this is my first post).

My question has to do with wiring the new wireless backup camera.  I am wiring it to both the backup light and a running light, with a switch (installed in the rear outside compartment) to toggle between the two.  My general preference is just to have the camera on when in reverse, but it occurred to me that on occasion I might want it on when cruising down the road.  My question has to do with the neutral wire from the camera.  Do I just need to ground it or hook it to one or both of the neutral wires from the lights involved?  Of course, I can figure this out by testing.  But why not ask people that actually know?
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #1 –
To answer my own question, I only needed to ground the "neutral" (white) wire from the camera.  I did have a little challenge when trying to figure out the wiring for the tail / brake / signal lights, so instead of figuring it out, I wired my toggle switch to the right side, rear running light - easy to do.  So now I can toggle between having a live camera only on reverse, or whenever I have the lights on.  Of course, my switch is in the right rear storage compartment, so I can't exactly toggle from the cab.  But it was fun doing it, and why not?  The only extra cost was the switch, some wire and a few connectors.
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #2 –
"But why not ask people that actually know?"

Hey 'Topcat', do you have a real name?

Welcome to the group... you will find many here with excellent advice so keep on plugging. That said, you didn't mention any details about your 'wireless backup camera', such as brand, model, etc. I'd suppose that yours is not the only one in town. Folks cannot very well respond to an unknown.

Although I hated spending the money I opted for the factory backup camera and in the 13 years I've owned it now consider it money well spent.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #3 –
I bought a wireless backup camera at Costco one year for the pickup & TT.  Adding that item to the LD invoice was a no-brainer.  It was angled so I could see the ball when hooking up the trailer... but since it's a tow bar and a towd,  I angled it up  bit to watch the towd and traffic behind and either side.  It reduces  blind spots nicely.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #4 –
Let's see now.  I've added Tom C. as my signature.  Albeit too late to be of use, the brand is "Emmako," though it looks like the exact same camera/monitor is sold under a number of different brand labels.

I'm going to attempt to include a couple pics, though being new at this, who knows whether I succeed?

I mounted the camera on the rear bumper under the faux tire cover.


I put the monitor on a little swivel table I had previously mounted between the front seats.


So far, everything works fine.  I took a test drive yesterday.  I suspect I'm going to use the camera primarily for backing up!  When driving down the road, I find the camera view distracting, though that may change over time.  I do like having the ability to switch it between backup only and whenever the lights are on.  Of course, one could just just wire to the running lights and just turn the monitor on when desired.  But why have the camera on unnecessarily? 
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #5 –
Quote from: topcat69  - 


So far, everything works fine.  I took a test drive yesterday.  I suspect I'm going to use the camera primarily for backing up!  When driving down the road, I find the camera view distracting, though that may change over time.  I do like having the ability to switch it between backup only and whenever the lights are on.  Of course, one could just just wire to the running lights and just turn the monitor on when desired.  But why have the camera on unnecessarily? 

I find myself leaving the camera on all the time since the mirrors do not show what is directly behind the rig.
It's really handy, when towing, for passing, showing when the toad is clear to move over.

Old photo, notice the old school cell phone and original Sony radio.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #6 –
I have one of those wide angle lens thingies that you stick on your rear window.  Since we don't ever tow, I can easily see what is behind me through that, via my inside rear view mirror.  If we ever did tow, the camera would be great.  But we have only gone on a few trips (like LA!) where I really wished for something smaller to drive around in.  We rented a car in that case.

OK, what do I need to do to post a pic?  I clicked on the image button and provided a url to the image on GooglePhotos.  It didn't work, and I would have thought it would be easier to do, anyhow.
Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #7 –
[http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=31916.msg0#newquote author=topcat69 link=msg=191656 date=1532810783]
I have one of those wide angle lens thingies that you stick on your rear window.  Since we don't ever tow, I can easily see what is behind me through that, via my inside rear view mirror.  If we ever did tow, the camera would be great.  But we have only gone on a few trips (like LA!) where I really wished for something smaller to drive around in.  We rented a car in that case.

OK, what do I need to do to post a pic?  I clicked on the image button and provided a url to the image on GooglePhotos.  It didn't work, and I would have thought it would be easier to do, anyhow.
[/quote]

On the Forums home page, scroll down to Site Guides ( or something similar) and in there are a couple of threads on posting photos. I think the latest is titled “Pics”. This might be the link:  Pics  — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #8 –
OK, I am going to try to post a couple pics, one of the camera and one of the monitor.



Tom C.
2003 MB
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #9 –
TC,

Does the camera work? Is it up and running? We had ours installed at the Mothership during the build. I usually leave it off during travel although I turn it on occasionally when I want to stay out of trouble.

Mounted just below the roof line, the camera gives a perfect view of what’s behind the rig. While it does a great job showing what’s there when backing into a campsite, I always follow Joan’s admonition of the GOAL (Get Out And Look) principle prior to actually backing into the camp site. Keeps me out of trouble every time.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
 
Re: Backup camera - wiring question
Reply #10 –
The camera works fine.  I've just done a single 35 mile test drive with it.  I mounted it on the bumper since my main use is going to be for backing.  Historically, I've always had my wife get out to signal me, but that has been primarily to let me know when to stop.  I've been backing big vehicles long before getting an RV and am very comfortable with using the side mirrors - I just need to know how far I can go.  The low camera mount does the trick.  The only catch is I still need to know if there is any high stuff to worry about, and a high mount, properly angled, covers more bases than a low mount.  But mounting on the bumper was both easier to mount and easier (by far) to wire, and met my personal needs.  I considered mounting up high, but was reluctant to drill any holes up there!

If I were buying a new LD (dream on!), I would definitely get the option and wouldn't even consider doing it myself.  But we only have 85K on our 2003 MB, and having the mothership, a repair shop (our generator now works for the first time in 13 years) and me get everything ship-shape, I think ours should last until we're no longer up for RVing (15-20 years, knock on wood).  I just installed a 24" TV/dvd on a swivel bracket (I added a bungee cord for additional support and shock absorbing, yet still permit the swivelling).  And I replaced the original radio with a combo radio, cd, dvd, bluetooth, etc. 

A side note: I could have bought exactly the same camera / monitor for less, the catch being that the wireless range was quoted as 100' unobstructed.  A lot of comments talked about losing the signal intermittently (or for extended periods!), even on fairly short rigs.  The version I bought claims an unobstructed 450' range.  I've had no signal problems whatsoever. 

Kent, you called me TC, which, of course, is where my Topcat moniker comes from.  My initials are TC (my full initials, backwards, are cat).  As a teen, when the cartoon was on, all my friends (and even my mom!) started calling me TC since that's what Topcat's buddies called him.  And I wasn't even the top cat.
Tom C.
2003 MB