reversing camera technical question.

knightstyle

Just got a new to us car which has a reversing camera.
As I will be towing a caravan is it possible to fit a camera to the caravan which shows all the time on the in car screen?
Car is a Nissan Juke.

wongataa

It will be very unlikely without modifications to the car's wiring (if it is possible at all) and not it will be unlikely to be simple.

scotsbob

Easiest solution is a wireless rear view camera without connecting the reversing link so that it is always on. Wireless means no wires.

You can read about them here. Then it's a matter of looking at reviews and choosing the model you feel is best for you.

http://www.ebay.com/gds/EVERYTHING-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW-ABOUT-REAR-VIEW-CAMERAS-/10000000000708736/g.html

Nodding_Donkey

But it is a very good idea

agrinnall

Is it legal to have a camera screen that can be viewed by the driver when the vehicle is moving above a certain speed? My rear view camera only comes on when reverse is selected, although I haven't attempted to find out if there is an upper speed limit for it when driving backwards.

AdrianC

knightstyle wrote: »

Just got a new to us car which has a reversing camera.
As I will be towing a caravan is it possible to fit a camera to the caravan which shows all the time on the in car screen?
Car is a Nissan Juke.

To use it as a replacement for the interior mirror, presumably?

If you've got towing extensions to the door mirrors, you should have a perfectly adequate view of what's behind. Remember, a good proportion of vehicles on the road don't have an interior mirror - vans, trucks.

marlot

agrinnall wrote: »

Is it legal to have a camera screen that can be viewed by the driver when the vehicle is moving above a certain speed?...

Yes, a specific dispensation for rear-facing cameras.

There are three issues with what the OP wants to do.

1. Mounting the camera at the back of the caravan (preferably without voiding any anti-water ingress warranty). It can be mounted on the surface, and the wire run underneath the caravan.

2. Getting the camera signal to the car. There is a choice between wired (perhaps using the unused connectors in the existing 7 or 13 pin connector, or using wireless). If wireless, the back of the caravan to the front of the car is a long way.

3. Getting the picture on the dash. Either tricking the head unit into thinking it is in reverse (often just grounding a wire), or using a separate monitor. I've seen ones which clip over the rear view mirror which look a good idea.

Lots to research. I'll be interested in what you chose to do

marlot

AdrianC wrote: »

...If you've got towing extensions to the door mirrors, you should have a perfectly adequate view of what's behind....

This is what I do. Just now and again, it would be useful to see directly behind the caravan though.

marlot

PS. I recommend caravantalk for finding good answers

http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/72808-rear-camera-mirror-monitor/?hl=%2Brear+%2Bview+%2Bcamera

specialboy

marlot wrote: »

Yes, a specific dispensation for rear-facing cameras.

There are three issues with what the OP wants to do.

1. Mounting the camera at the back of the caravan (preferably without voiding any anti-water ingress warranty). It can be mounted on the surface, and the wire run underneath the caravan.

2. Getting the camera signal to the car. There is a choice between wired (perhaps using the unused connectors in the existing 7 or 13 pin connector, or using wireless). If wireless, the back of the caravan to the front of the car is a long way.

3. Getting the picture on the dash. Either tricking the head unit into thinking it is in reverse (often just grounding a wire), or using a separate monitor. I've seen ones which clip over the rear view mirror which look a good idea.

Lots to research. I'll be interested in what you chose to do

I'd be very wary about taking this advice at face value, a rear facing camera can be on recording but unless the driver is reversing or stationary then I'd say it was against the law for the driver to be viewing it while driving forwards. Happy to be proved wrong if you can provide a link to the legislation that allows it.

BeenThroughItAll

specialboy wrote: »

I'd be very wary about taking this advice at face value, a rear facing camera can be on recording but unless the driver is reversing or stationary then I'd say it was against the law for the driver to be viewing it while driving forwards. Happy to be proved wrong if you can provide a link to the legislation that allows it.

There's some information here which suggests it is legal (second part of this document)


http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/vo050317/text/50317w03.htm