Backup camera question

[Snake Plissken]

I bought a used 2018 x213. It has the prewired backup camera mount above the slide-out. I did not buy the Furrion camera, but did buy one that should work the same (DoHonest). I connected the camera and monitor together to test the system and it works perfectly. As soon as I connect the camera to the prewired mount I get No Signal. I've read where some people have said that the power cable poking through the mount may not be hooked up and there may be a need to add an on/off switch up in the bed area. I can find no cable there. I also read that some people said the wire is dangling behind the breaker panel. I do not see it there either.

Anybody run across this before and know how to resolve it? Anybody just have a theory? I'd like to use the camera but I'll want to return it (Amazon) if it's something difficult.

[TWP723]

Does it require the lamps to be on? Mine won't work unless I at least turn on the TV's running lights.

[Snake Plissken]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Does it require the lamps to be on? Mine won't work unless I at least turn on the TV's running lights.

I think I tested that yesterday but I'll test it again when I get home just in case.

Thanks! Any other ideas from anyone?

[TWP723]

Mine tapped into the tail lamps and clearance lights. No dedicated individual wire.

[bjones211]

Yes, TV lights need to be on for cameras to work. Should be driving this way anyway.

[nkdenton]

Roger on the lights having to be on. I installed a non-Furrion system on my 2022 Feather 25RB and having TV lights on 'Auto' isn't enough - gotta actually turn the switch over to ON for either headlights or parking lamps in order for cameras to have power.

[Shorty Cox]

What Nkdenton says is correct in my case. Lights have to in the "on" position not "auto". On mine, the camera will work when I place something over the light sensor on the dash to trick the system to think it is night.

I don't want to hi-jack this thread, but I have a camera question. I would like to replace the back-up camera with one that shows a true picture so I can us the camera as one uses the rearview mirror. Any suggestions?

[DonBr]

Shorty, what does yours show that isn't a "true picture?"

[Shorty Cox]

Donbr, The focus on a backup camera is for up close, fish eyed, things up close appear at a greater distance. As is, I can have a semi right behind me, yet, it appears to be a great distance behind me. Thus, it is not a true image. I don't know how else to say it.

Initially, my camera was pointed down toward the ground right behind the RV. I don't have a need to see what is on the ground right behind the RV, I want to see what is following me down the road. I re-adjusted the camera to aim down the road behind me.

[TaftCoach]

Two different cameras. Backup cameras are for backing up. There are review cameras that will do what you want. A quick search for backup versus rear view will explain it all better than I can.

[DonBr]

I wouldn't have said fish-eye, but they definitely are wide angle. I haven't done it with my current camera, but with one in the past I measured a set of 20 ft distances back, in line with the side of the RV, and placed an object at each spot. On the monitor I marked where each was. I put scotch tape along each line to mark on, as I didn't want to mark the monitor itself. In general, I think wide angle is best; I guess a switchable view would be better, but I would hate to lose the ability to see things near the back but off to the side.

[craigav]

Regarding a "True" image, another thing to watch out for is some cameras present exactly what they see, and what is on the right side of the camera's monitor would actually be on the left side if you were using a mirror. My display unit itself has the option to reverse the image to match what would be seen in a mirror, however some rear view cameras that have monitors, especially the older and cheaper units do not have this ability, so be sure when purchasing one that it has this ability, if that is important to you. ~CA