Reversing Camera

[such]

I can't believe they make those cameras in number plate light lenses and don't bother to illuminate it.

MOT fail.

It uses the existing bulb in the new housing to illuminate the number plate.
I'll have a good check to see if it reduces the light output significantly.

Also, the factory position for the camera is further off centre than using a number plate light.

 

[L John]

Ah, nice, I thought the wire was coming through the centre part.

I'd be interested to see or know how it illuminates the plate and the camera view. Off centre shouldn't be a problem but which is best right or left?

You mentioned wiring it to a permanent live with the dashcam.
That would flatten the battery, it needs to be off when the ignition is off, unless I misunderstood what you meant.

 

[such]

i had to re route the wire from the centre, which was easy.
The rear dashcam was installed using a hardwire kit with a voltage detector:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-C...&qid=1492338118&sr=8-1&keywords=nextbase+hard

I read that all OEM installed dashcams are on a permanent live from the factory.

I have had 2 dashcams installed using the nextbase kits for 7 months now, not had any battery issues to date.

My fakra cable is on order, so i hope to be fitting next weekend.
I intend on running the cable through the passenger side and under glovebox, so thew camera will be mounted on whichever side allows this.
thanks

 

[such]

well, interesting time spent attempting the install today. Removed boot trim, the boot handle trim was slightly different to the videos i've seen in that it had no screws externally, but 2 hidden on top the handle release mechanism with little room to easily remove them. You need to sit in the boot to remove them.
When i finally did, the trim took a bit of pulling to remove, but came off, leaving 2 orange clips in the lid, which needs to be removed and repositioned in the trim before refitting.

Anyway, the number plate lights are NOT suitable for the camera housing that i have, as the bulb is an LED on a circuit board, sealed in the housing!

So I can either: change camera or make it fit in the space on the trim for factory fit.

A pic of how it may look is below, but it will take a bit of crafting.

I tested it anyway, and it worked well, PLUS it all went back together much quicker than taking apart!

 

[L John]

Your almost there, it will all be worth it in the end.
I still smile every time I put it in reverse.

 

[such]

i've seen one that has a replacement housing complete with led bulbs too!
I may buy this one, only reservation is it's cmos not ccd.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172298783086?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[such]

Finally got around to fitting the replacement camera today, went well with a couple of hiccups which took time!
The first was having to remove the number plate to refit the boot handle trim over the camera.
Sods law 3 screws came out with a struggle, but one was firmly stuck, despite penetrating fluid, which resulted in me having to enlarge the hole in the bracket around said screw and remove the holder with it still in place.

It's typical, I read a thread last week about the way these holders are fixed in and the screws seizing in the fitting!
I did not consider this may even be a problem for me!

Anyway, spent around an hour faffing around with the number plate.

Ran the video cable across to the passenger side, under the sills, under glovebox, with not much slack to play with into the back of the command.
The fakra cable was not a direct fit into the command, as the unit already had a double green plug, so i had to remove the plastic plug from the supplied lead, doing so does not give a very secure fit as there are no clips holding it in place!

Anyway, it is all working now, complete with the distance lines, which I assume would only move with the steering wheel if it was fitted and coded by MB or agent.