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ghanesdvm · 03-12-2019, 09:17 PM

I have a 2014 Flying Cloud 25' Front Bedroom. I want to mount a rear facing wifi enabled camera on the curve of the rear roof, somewhere between the center red clearance light and the AIRSTREAM letters. The closes power is in the overhead compartment above the dining table where the Blue Ray disc player is located. I need 12v and there is a "cigarette lighter" port available in that cabinet.

My question is about putting a wire through the top of the cabinet and the roof panel. I'm thinking there isn't much else up there electric wise, and I would pick a spot on the roof and make my first hole down into the cabinet. Then I could feed the 12v wires to the roof to make the connection.

Does this sound like a workable plan or am I not thinking of something that I will later regret? Of course I would seal the exterior hole for water tightness. I already purchased the camera, so ideas like get a camera built into the license plate holder won't work.

Thanks,
Gary

GMFL · 03-12-2019, 10:01 PM

“Most” get power for the back up camera from the rear center red clearance light. The camera would then be powered when the running lights where turned on.

ghanesdvm · 03-12-2019, 10:18 PM

That was my original plan but wasn't sure how easy it is to remove the clearance light to access the wires. I like the idea of having power on with lights on. I could even leave the power cord on the outside of the shell, hidden with a bit of silver tape. Thoughts?

waninae39 · 03-12-2019, 10:23 PM

i power my back camera to the lights

ie , when i turn the TV lights on, the lights for the outside on the AS go on.
that turn the power into the camera , then my garmin GPS can see the camera

that way i can see behind the AS when i am driving

it is very easy to get the power as the lights on the back of the AS have this control power

pteck · 03-12-2019, 10:34 PM

I installed my wifi camera exactly as you described. That is drilling a small hole through the outside skin, and running the power cable over to the headunit.

There is a pretty large space between the outer skin and the upper cabinet rear panel. There is no inner skin between the outer aluminum skin and cabinet panel. Just an insulation sheet filling the void.

I opted to fish the power wire in that void. I removed the speaker and headunit to be able to reach my arm in and pull the wire out after a few attempts. Wasn't too bad. I ran 12V from there, to a lighted toggle switch located in the cabinet, to the camera so I can turn it off and on.

Works great!

TruckerFritz · 03-13-2019, 09:20 AM

I'm one of the guys that will do "anything" to keep from going thru "the skin". Our rear looking camera is inside looking out the rear window, and works fine. Plus a 12v line is right there, via the bed reading lamp.

daleyocum · 03-13-2019, 09:29 AM

I got my power from the solar prewire box on the roof. If you aren’t using that for solar panels that’s an easy option (I ran a heavier wire down separately for our solar.) It means the camera can be powered all the time the trailer is plugged in which is handy if you want to use it for lane changing without having your lights on.

Not sure if there was solar pre-wire in 2014.

pteck · 03-13-2019, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckerFritz

I'm one of the guys that will do "anything" to keep from going thru "the skin". Our rear looking camera is inside looking out the rear window, and works fine. Plus a 12v line is right there, via the bed reading lamp.

I had considered this too as I try to "tread lightly" in all my mods.

Trade looking through the rear window is loss of visual fidelity. Pretty big compromise to nighttime visuals too. IR illumination would cause glare and be ineffective. But then some don't drive at night so it would be okay.

There's already tons of holes in the shell. A 3/8" hole, when done right and sealed well was worth the trade for my use.

mrdfred · 03-13-2019, 11:59 AM

Avoid all iof the hassles of wiring! I got the Winplus Flex Mount Backup Camera
Item # *1084071* $ 139.9 from COSTCO.com. I love it and it makes a very versatile camera. You can hard wire it, but honestly I don't bother. It has a super powerful magnet that is secure even to leave on while traveling. Additionally it can be plugged into your 7-way to use for hitching up. For me, it is a game changer where backup cameras are concerned. It is also available on Amazon as a Yadda Winplus Flex Mount Backup Camera. There is a video on both the COSTO site and Amazon. Check it out, it is a real option!

Mollysdad · 03-13-2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckerFritz

I'm one of the guys that will do "anything" to keep from going thru "the skin". Our rear looking camera is inside looking out the rear window, and works fine. Plus a 12v line is right there, via the bed reading lamp.

Ditto!
I also didn't want the camera exposed to the weather and so I mounted mine under the cabinet in the center. I carefully drilled a 5/16 hole just deep enough to insert a brass threaded insert for 1/4" x 20. There's a center divider in there also as backup. Then I screwed in a RAM ball and arm to mount the camera. The bracket holding the camera came from a company making parts for ultralight aircraft! The size was perfect! I power my camera using a USB charge port to 12v lighter plug adapter. (I have no 12v. outlets) I did it as a temporary solution but since the camera only draws 150 ma. it works great!
My camera is the Garmin BC-30 and links to my Garmin GPS. The transmitter just lays on the bed.
So far, the window has not been a problem with condensation or dirt. I can even see the AS rear bumper. Since that picture, I did have to cut the screen, and when the curtains are closed, you don't see the bracket.

Arcticfox · 03-13-2019, 02:01 PM

Do you find your getting any kind of glare because of the camera looking through glass. I'm thinking mostly at night or when cars come up behind you with lights on.
Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Ditto!
I also didn't want the camera exposed to the weather and so I mounted mine under the cabinet in the center. I carefully drilled a 5/16 hole just deep enough to insert a brass threaded insert for 1/4" x 20. There's a center divider in there also as backup. Then I screwed in a RAM ball and arm to mount the camera. The bracket holding the camera came from a company making parts for ultralight aircraft! The size was perfect! I power my camera using a USB charge port to 12v lighter plug adapter. (I have no 12v. outlets) I did it as a temporary solution but since the camera only draws 150 ma. it works great!
My camera is the Garmin BC-30 and links to my Garmin GPS. The transmitter just lays on the bed.
So far, the window has not been a problem with condensation or dirt. I can even see the AS rear bumper. Since that picture, I did have to cut the screen, and when the curtains are closed, you don't see the bracket.

Mollysdad · 03-13-2019, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

Do you find your getting any kind of glare because of the camera looking through glass. I'm thinking mostly at night or when cars come up behind you with lights on.
Thanks

No.
I did have to cut a hole in the screen because the camera is so wide angle that the screen is in focus!
The BC-30 is not the best resolution, which everyone warned me, but it's good for seeing what's behind you and backing into a parking spot. 4K it's not! (I didn't want another monitor on the dash and already had the 7" GPS)
I do notice a delay because it's wireless. A semi passing me when I think it's even with my rear bumper is actually about 15' further up my side. It's not a problem at low speed, and I don't do quick lane changes with a semi on my bumper anyway.