Fun with backup camera...

[JimM68]

My 99 pace had a panasonic system, with a 7" b/w CRT monitor hung from the overhead where a rearview mirror would be. The whole thing was very "builtin" including a peice of the overhead that hung down and covered the front of the monitor box.

Problem is, the darned thing didn't work. And it's obselete.

So I picked up this cute lil new system at Cosco for $200.

Rather than completely redesign the overhead dash, I put the new LCD INSIDE the panasonic box. It turned out pretty slick. It looks just exactly how it did, except now it's a color screen, and it has sound, so I can hear my victims scream.

Hardest part of the job was running the new cable.

That $200 system from Costco is excellent.

[HMXDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimM68 it's a color screen, and it has sound, so I can hear my victims scream.

LOL!

[Nick-B]

Need More Input!!!


Is this link below the model you purchased?
Costco Link

Sounds like a nice install. How about a pic or two?

[majfrizz]

here is a dumb question, could you use the same cable that was already there?

[Stillwater]

I like it. Is it rated for continuous use or intermittent.

[Retired and Happy]

I replaced my monitor last year with one that didn't match the camera cabling. I could use the existing cabling from the rear, but I had to buy an adapter cable that would match the two items at the monitor. Sorry, I had a computer failure since then so the source for that adapter is missing. I seem to recall Google brought up a few possibilities. I believe there are two main types, one a square plug and one a round plug.

[JimM68]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this...
Here's more info

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-B Need More Input!!! Is this link below the model you purchased? Costco Link Sounds like a nice install. How about a pic or two?

Yes, that is the one, $199 complete, there's also a version with 3 cameras.

Quote:

Originally Posted by majfrizz here is a dumb question, could you use the same cable that was already there?

No, my original cable was just a single coax, carried both the signal and the power. Different, not compatible, and I didn't trust it anyway. Running the new cable wasn't bad. Dropped it down between the rear cap and the back of the coach, then routed it along the frame rail, zip tieing every few feet.
Worse part was getting up into the cab thru the firewall, then up past the corner of the dash. I had to remove the windshield post trim, and some of the overhead stuff to fish the cable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillwater I like it. Is it rated for continuous use or intermittent.

It is rated for continuous use, and that's how I use it.

[JimM68]

These first three pics are what I started with.
the old panasonic b/w crt backup camera.
Mine was mounted in this housing that is attached to the underside of the overhead bin.

I didn't want to just rip all this out and mount the tiny new flat screen, as it would leave holes and raw edges and an unfinished appearance.

Pic 1 is the original crt from the front, 2 is from the back, and 3 is the empty housing that it mounted in, with wires.

[JimM68]

The panasonic housing splits about an inch back from the face, the rear section comes off, revealing what looks like a miniature television from the 60's!

I made up an alluminum strap, and used it and some padding to attach the new LCD to the back of the panasonic faceplate.

I wish I'd taken a few more pics of this... I gutted the original metal chassis, removing and disgarding the CRT and several circuit boards and a bunch of other stuff.
I used a saw to remove some excess material from the metal chassis, Hhad to keep it causse that's where the threaded holes that all the mounting screws screwed into!

Here's a pic showing the lcd and what's left of the metal chassis reattached to the bezel.

[JimM68]

I attached the new control box to the inside of the rear panasonic shroud.
I also had to ventilate the back of the case somewhat so the cables could exit.

[JimM68]

Then it was a simple matter to connect the cabling, put the back of the shroud back on, attach it with the original screws, connect the new RF lead from the camera, plug in the power wire (previously spliced the new connector onto the RV's wires for power, ground, and reverse) and then slide the unit back in it's original home and attach it with the original knobs.

Here's the new look.

[RV Wizard]

Looks good Jim. Thanks for posting the pics.

[JimM68]

Thanks Mike, I'd gotten a pm on this, so I figured I'd fill in the blanks.
btw, if anyone would like me to do this to thier old panasonic, send me a pm

[mr300ce]

Thanks for all the great info. I am gonna do the same thing now.
Saving $60 getting it from Costco.