Here is what I just installed on my van:
Camera: ($17)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RD05MOO
Screen: ($12)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CFLMNC
These items were decently reviewed on Amazon.
The camera came with the wrong size mounting nut, so I had to use my own nut from my misc parts bin. It includes a video cable long enough to reach from the rear of my RB van to the dash.
The monitor is a little 4.3" unit, perfect size for mounting on the little shelf above my windshield.
I had originally planned on mounting the camera up high on my penthouse top, just below my third brake light -- but I realized wiring from this location would be too much of a pain -- I'd have to disassemble the interior ceiling to get access to the same wiring path used by the third brake light. Mounting here would be "upside down", so I'd also have to mount my monitor upside down -- which should be no problem.
I ended up mounting the camera in the "traditional" place -- above the license plate. This also has the advantage of letting the camera see under the rear-mounted spare tire. A roof mount wouldn't be able to see under my tire.
Installation:
First, I disassembled the passenger-side rear door panel to get access to the plastic license place holder unit. I drilled a hole on the left side, reasonably close to the center of the van.
I then sent the camera's wire through the same flexible door conduit as the other door wiring. Fishing it through was moderately difficult, but I finally got it done.
This brought the camera wire to my passenger-side rear light cluster, perfect for access to the reverse light circuit that powers the camera. This way, the camera only turns on when the van is in Reverse. I spliced into this circuit for the camera power, and sent the video part of the cable through a hole I drilled in the sheet metal to an interior section easy to access with my fingers.
From here, I brought the video cable from the rear to the shelf above the windshield, tucking it in neatly along the passenger-side corner where the wall meets the ceiling.
I mounted the display on the lip of this shelf. I found it will stay put right there, so for now I don't have any screws or zip ties holding it in place. The display is powered off the CB radio circuit. Ideally, I'd like to use a circuit that's powered only when the van is started, but for now I just tied into the same switch I used for my dash cam. The camera stays black unless it gets a video feed (which only happens when the van is in Reverse).
Works great in my garage! I'll give it some real testing soon.
-- Geoff
Linear Mode
