DIY rear view camera system

[mrooke]

Following my recent bump, (http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=129973) which thankfully has now all been sorted, to help prevent it happening again, I'm going to install a DIY rear view camera system. Considering I also hold C+E licence (Full HGV), this bump knocked a bit of confidence out of me and a few pounds out of my wallet.

Having looked through the searches for rear camera installation, most were to fit a camera and to link it to the existing RTI screen. I don't have that luxury so have ordered the following:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISA...EOIBSA:GB:1123

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/et-430-...l-12v-dc-47973

Coupled with a power cable extension from Ebay.

Has anyone got any useful tips regarding the removal of the trim panels? I've ordered a plastic trim removal tool to help prevent damage to paint / trim. I am not concerned about wiring the parts, just the routing of the cables and trim removal.

Many thanks for any help offered.

[wendash]

Hi, you wouldn't have a link to a camera that connects to the existing rti screen would you, I can't find one.
Thanks

[y2blade]

sorry to read about your "bump"

I rely very much on the parking sensors (in both my S60 and the XC90) as rear viability isn't the best...I too have found that posts don't get picked up until nearly too late, but thankfully not bumped anything yet.

following your thread with interest

[Bill Edmondson]

Regardless of any future tips saying why didnt you buy this bit or the other, using the parts you've bought I would do the following.

1, mount the monitor above the cd player screen directly underneath the centre air vents as the screen looks like it matches the cd player by chance.

2, to do the above neatly you will need to remove the cd/heater control. To do this, be on level ground with the hand brake on. Put the car in drive ( with the engine off obviously) and pop up the gear stick surround trim. Now you will see 2 screws under the heater controls. Undo these and remove. Drop the the cd/heater about 1cm and it will lift out.

3, so mount your screen and dangle its cables into the now huge hole in your dash.

4, then open both doors on the drivers side. Remove the plastic trim thats between your carpet and door seals on both doors. Remove the trim under your steering wheel.
Thats the route from screen to rear door, then you yourself will have to work out the last bit from that door to the rear window.

5, now run picture and power from the camera all the way round past the doors, undet the steering wheel and into the huge void in your dash.

6, connect picture cable into screen, link both power cables together and piggy back off the rear of the cigarette lighter ir the switched spare feed thats floating in that area, think its pink or purple but someons will know that.

7, lastly carefully hold the monitor cables in position and neat while you offer up the cd player back into its hole.

Hope that helps if only a little.

[The Hooded Claw]

Having had one of these on my Discovery 1 thing to remember is it IS NOT a "Mirror" Image you see on the screen it is as if you are facing Backwards..

Which is VERY disconcerting when you first see the "Picture" coz Right is Left & Left is Right.

E.G. if you look in yer driving mirror when your driving anyone passing you "Appears" to pass you on the Right BUT if you use the rear facing Camera they "Appear" to pass you on the LEFT... Scared the Livin Daylights outta me the first time I tried it !!!


Keith

[Bill Edmondson]

Whale isle beef hooked

Sorry mate getting carried away now.

[mrooke]

Originally Posted by wendash

Hi, you wouldn't have a link to a camera that connects to the existing rti screen would you, I can't find one.
Thanks

Hi wendash, there is lots of information in this thread, to do what you need. I believe you need more than just a camera to interface with an existing RTI screen:-

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=108174

Hope that helps.

[mrooke]

Thanks a lot Bill for that.

The camera and the monitor appear to have on screen guidance markings. Thankfully, the monitor has 2 video inputs, of which only 1 will have the markings, so I'll have to use that one.

Keith, I thought that as this camera was designed to be used as a rear view camera, that it would be mirrored automatically. Either way, I'll let everyone know. If it isn't mirrored, you're right, it would be a bit disconcerting.

[BestGear]

The camera I used in the above guide has the reference lines within it...however some vehicle interfaces apply the lines, so watch that as you dont want two sets!

With regards reversal of image - my view is that you do want reversal as it gives the same perspective as you get while looking in the rear view mirror.

David

[mrooke]

Just to add a link to the instructions on how to fit the genuine article. Useful for me in how some panels are removed.

ftp://62.80.169.203/Pub/VOLVO%20MANU...1260504_en.pdf

I have now received the camera and it does mirror the image. Just waiting to receive the monitor now.