Add 2nd Rear LowLux Cam at bumper, Monitored by Fusion

[Alex AVI]

Add 2nd Rear Low-Lux Cam at bumper, Monitored by Fusion

This mod will add a 2nd rear low-lux cam at bumper/hitch level. The original AI cam on the roof will remain constantly monitored by windshield monitor. This 2nd one will be on only when AI is on reverse & viewed via the Fusion monitor.

Unfortunately, my low-lux cam is on backorder. But the wireless xmitter & receiver arrived. So for now, just testing all connectivity and wiring. So far, so good. Works as planned. Just finished making final solder connections. Had to solder them as the wiring on these cams are too skinny for crimping.

Don't mind the image quality of today's pics. They are from a cheapo cam (it's actually better than the one supplied with AI). The images are from testing inside AI. I will post images taken with the low-lux cam when I get it installed on bumper/hitch.

[bugsbunny]

Nice work!

[Brezzin]

So does the Fusion automatically switch to the camera view when in reverse similar to a car back up camera?

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by bugsbunny

Nice work!

BUGSBUNNY - Thank you. It ain't so nice yet as I am leaving dash open with all wiring exposed (since we don't plan on travelling) waiting for the low-lux cam.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Brezzin

So does the Fusion automatically switch to the camera view when in reverse similar to a car back up camera?

BREZZIN - Yes. As long as it is connected to the CANBUS, putting AI in reverse will trigger it to go in Reverse-Cam mode - provided a video input is present. If no video is sensed, it stays on current display mode. I know there are folks that have disconnected FUSION from CANBUS to disable the FUSION "nanny controls". Doing this will cause FUSION to not know MB is in reverse and will not switch to the cam.

[Brezzin]

Sounds like a great modification.

Thanks.

Dave

[Alex AVI]

Testing cam inside 2" receiver hitch

Still waiting for low-lux cam. So decided to test the image with my cheapo cam. It is mounted inside the 2" hitch receiver of my rear step. I like the image from this low vantage point at hitch level. FYI - I did not realize when I took these pics that the VB Rear Air is slammed to its lowest position. So the ride height image would be close to 4" higher.

[Camerons]

Alex that’s a great idea

[Tobbun]

That is awesome and would be very helpful. I try to back into most parking spaces and the roof camera is not the most helpful for that. I still park, get out and check, back up a little more, etc.

[Alex AVI]

Low-Lux Cam arrived last night. Amazon Prime delivered as promised, before 9pm, exactly at 8pm

2 pics from low-lux cam. These were taken at 9 pm last night. Our street has no pole street lights. We have small gas lamps on poles at front yard of each house. Add a few of the house coach lights and that's all the lighting that illuminates the streets. It is much darker than a typical LV street. I was impressed with the lack of purple and grainy haze from cheapo cams. Check out how the clouds show up and the grass is green !

However, I had some issues once I had the wireless transmitter hidden inside hitch step receiver, with engine running, and gear in reverse. I was having major RF interference. It could be a fatal combination of too much obstruction from being inside thick metal hitch, long distance from front receiver, power being supplied from 7-pin hitch connector (which is at times problematic for low-current devices), and rear ParkMatic radar system transmitting close by.

Since I was finishing a bigger mod (coax wiring for SureCall), I had to shelve it in order to finish putting together the interior which was all apart until I finished at 3am Picking up the troubleshooring after my big breakfast at McD's with grandson

[Alex AVI]

A few real night drive images

2 pics from the mall parking lot



1 pic from a dimly lit neighborhood street


Excuse the guidelines, I have not adjusted the cam. Still deciding on final height between hitch level or license plate level

[rowiebowie]

Alex, you're a mad man. You must have been something as a child, wanting to rip your presents open on Christmas Eve rather than waiting for the morning.

Pics look good. When you were shopping, did you find any rear view cameras that were 90 degrees or less? I too am looking for a license height camera to supplement my back up camera, but with a little less distortion to use as a driving cam.


.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

Alex, you're a mad man. You must have been something as a child, wanting to rip your presents open on Christmas Eve rather than waiting for the morning.

Pics look good. When you were shopping, did you find any rear view cameras that were 90 degrees or less? I too am looking for a license height camera to supplement my back up camera, but with a little less distortion to use as a driving cam.


.

ROWIEBOWIE - Thank you. Man it is tough to find cams that have a narrow field of view AND combined with low-lux. Still searching though. I am happy with the night vision of this one. It is made by Natika (Amazon ~ $50). 0.05 lux, IP69K Waterproof, f1.8 glass lense, 1280×720 pix. But it is 170° super wide angle.

I would've preferred 100-120° because as configured right now, I can force my Fusion to monitor via this cam forward or reverse & still keep it fully compliant with MB CANBUS connected to it (just as the AI rear cam).

[wachuko]

Alex, thank you for doing all this work. Many of us will surely benefit from it. Really appreciate it.

In case the wife is around... rather than saying "You're the man!" I am just going to go with YOU ROCK!!!

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Alex, thank you for doing all this work. Many of us will surely benefit from it. Really appreciate it.

In case the wife is around... rather than saying "You're the man!" I am just going to go with YOU ROCK!!!

WACHUKO - Thank you too. It is nice to have the Fusion work as a 2nd full time rear monitor or just in reverse. FYI - even if Fusion is "OFF" when you put AI in reverse, it wakes up , that is why I keep it connected to MB CANBUS and live with the Nanny Controls that go along with it. I am thinking of drilling out the rear MB circular badge on right rear door to mount the cam and fish all wiring inside that door. My other option is the left door right next to license plate top trim (the black plastic piece).

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Alex, thank you for doing all this work. Many of us will surely benefit from it. Really appreciate it.

In case the wife is around... rather than saying "You're the man!" I am just going to go with YOU ROCK!!!

WACHUKO - Yes, this old dog learned that lesson quickly. I believe I posted one of my prior plates. I had to turn that in to keep the peace at home

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

I am thinking of drilling out the rear MB circular badge on right rear door to mount the cam and fish all wiring inside that door. My other option is the left door right next to license plate top trim (the black plastic piece).

Final Location of 2nd Rear Cam is settled -

It's about time I wrap up this mod. It has just taken too long & I hate having all the parts laying around. So, after testing out a few different locations the last 6 months, I settled on the final location of my 2nd Rear Cam to supplement the one mounted up high on the roof 3rd brake light. I initially tested mounting around the hitch & bumper areas - it was too low for my needs. Then I tested it on the MB-Star at the rear glass - while lower & better than the bird's nest view from roof, it still seemed high. Tried other areas on lower areas of both doors - the view was good but it meant drilling through the door sheet metal which was only a last resort. Finally, having it at the license plate light assembly seemed to be the perfect view height.

Mounting it on the license plate light assembly has numerous advantages:
1. It blends well, almost stealth, looks OEM due to the black-on-black colors.
2. Easy to drill out the hole on plastic vs. drilling out the metal on the door.
3. Easy to fish the power/video wires through existing holes in door cavity.
4. There is negligible perceptible difference the few inches off-center makes due to the extreme wide angle of lense and extreme width of van.
5. It is a wonderful complement to the OEM cam on the roof.

[Boxster1971]

Nice work! I added a similar camera to my older Kenwood-Garmin head unit. Works great. Those marker lines are great for judging distance from object when backing.

[rowiebowie]

Alex, nice clean install as usual.

[Alex AVI]

Finalize Wiring through Rubber Protective Hose

After everything was buttoned up on the left door, wires fished through the cavity, now it's time to finalize routing the Batt/Gnd wires through the rubber protective hose into the left side rear light assembly. In order to do this, the rubber protective hose need to be un-hooked from a plastic ring that snaps-on to the door sheet metal and body pillar sheet metal.


Unfortunately, in doing so, the plastic snap-on ring will most likely break on the top and/or bottom. I have not figured out a way to do so without breaking/chipping off a part of it.


An additional problem, it is highly unlikely to be able to snap-on the rubber hose heads onto it again. The obvious way to do so is to remove the plastic snap-on ring from the sheet metal, snap it up on to the rubber hose head, and then snap the fully assembled head into the sheet metal.


Time to order the plastc snap ring for MB. After much research by dealer parts manager, it became clear the plastic snap ring is not orderable on it's own. Need to order the entire assembly that has the entire rubber protective hose & 2 plastic snap rings already pre-installed. Be always prepared for MB parts pricing shock, but in this case, the shock was it was only $13. Obviously, could've been cheaper if they offered just the plastic snap rings. But $13 won't kill my budget.