Easy Peasy 10 minute backup camera

[Anders79]

I just installed a backup / rear-view camera in my 2010 25' FC, and it took me all of 10 minutes - and no holes to drill, etc; and dirt cheap!

Equipment: wifi transceiver, small camera, IPAD/IPHONE App, 3M sealant tape, old cigarette lighter power cord.

Credit: I saw a guy on youtube do a similar install - and i used his same camera and wifi trancesvier -- around $50. See previous post of mine which also had the youtube video and parts.

Install: 1) powered it taking an old cigarette lighter power cord and cutting off the opposite end and splicing into the WiFi transceiver power wires; I use the cigarette power outlet which was in my upper left cabinet.
2) installed the camera at the top of the window screen on the rear window (1st undoing two of the screws holding in the screen so i could push the camera wires into the inside of the trailer; 3) then pushing the camera bracket between the screen and trailer and taping it down with the "very sticky" 3M sealant tape. 4) then just connect the red and yellow connectors of the transceiver and the camera together.

after this just load the wifiav app onto your smart phone (I am using my IPAD and my IPHONE).

to use - you just go to your smart phone and go to settings and set the wifi to wifiav network, and then open the wifiav app and connect it to the wifiav network. Your camera view will now be displayed. Good wide angle and good distance. I took my cellphone over 50 feet away from the camera / transceiver and still got a clear picture.

Here are a few pictures. Note: I only have the transceiver hooked up to the camera when traveling. I undo the two connections and store the transceiver when stationary.

[gouchodon]

Awesome

[davloose]

Do you have a link to the YouTube video, or recall the name?

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by davloose

Do you have a link to the YouTube video, or recall the name?

This one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UIG-31UCFU

[Anders79]

Yes - that looks like the video.
Also note: when taking a cigarette lighter power cord to power the transmitter - make sure it is not dropping the voltage down a lot (some are straight thru while others may drop voltage depending on what it was used for). Just read the label on it.

[Arcticfox]

Interesting - Tagging in for future reference

[USAtraveler]

Does it work with Android phone or tablet too?

[Farrgramm]

Nice post. I also saw that video and installed a similar setup. To assure that I could get a good signal to the front of my truck, I ran a video/power cord from the rear of the Airstream (27FB) to the cabinat behind the bedroom television at the front of the unit. I attached a cheap on off switch in the the power lead to the light switch attached to that cabinet. That way I can turn off the transmitter and stuff the cord in there when not in use. The video/power cord just runs down the hallway when traveling.

To install the camera, I unscrewed a fastener at the top left corner of the drivers side rear window and screwed the camera bracket at that spot. It is all inside the trailer. That window has no screen. It is a bit offset but works great as the camera is wide angle.

I use the system when I am on the highway more than backing up. iPad app is basic but does the job.

When not is use, I unplug the line and store it. The camera is behind the curtain.

No cutting or drilling. My total cost from Amazon was $82.

[Anders79]

to answer one question - yes you can use android systems as well; it does not need to be apple products.
I am still quite pleased with this approach - i prefer using my phone or tablet over a whole new display - and love the price and quality. Picture is really nice. Glad to see others are also doing similar.

[EarStreaming]

Just what I was looking for, adding to my honey do list, thanks!

[Wayne&Sam]

A similar, but less elegant solution to the now defunct system sold by a forum member.

It uses a wifi camera in the rear of the trailer, a wifi router in the front of the trailer and your phone or iPad in the vehicle. It works well and doesn't require all those wires to route through the trailer.

[tjwoods1]

One thing to note about the camera shown in the video - the image is flipped. A car on your right shows up on the left of your screen. If you just want to see what's behind you, it's not an issue. However it could be confusing if you are relying on it for lane changes and passing cars.

[dmbecke]

Joining

[tjwoods1]

okay ... a correction. If you are using the camera as rear facing - the camera out the back window and you are looking at the camera while driving looking forward - then it acts like a mirror would. Left is left and right is right.

[Anders79]

also - with the wifi transmitter in the back of the AS with the rear-view camera, I walked over 70' from the front of my trailer (~95 feet) and was still able to see a nice clear picture - so distance to a truck cab should not be a problem. We will be going out in 2 weeks, so will get real road experience (as well as with the new Tire pressure system i put on the tires). Since this is my last year to use the current tires (next year they will be 8 years old); figured TPS was a good investment.