landrover/2009-01-20

landrover/2009-01-20_Cameras

Reversing Cameras

My silly wee project came about when I found a home security camera kit at Dick Smith
for a special price of $99.

Its only black and white, but the cameras have six IR LEDs around them for illumination
at night time.  These have a range of about 3 metres, which is perfect for the reverse
camera.

The screen is mounted in the top right corner above the driver's head.  It doesn't
interfere with my lines of sight (only just) and is held up by an aluminium batten on
the right and a small angle brace to the left.  Since the screen is now up-side down,
I had to mount both cameras inverted too.

The rear camera had to be rebuilt - the original casing was not waterproof (indeed the
instructions said "Do not expose to sunlight, heat, dust, moisture, sharp impacts or
excessive vibration" - I think I got all of them!!!)   So I reworked a cisco PSU
holster and mounted the camera PCBs inside.  Theres a lot of hot-melt glue holding
everything inside, and a 2" scrap of glass on the business end.  Camera can be tilted
up and down.

At the front, the other camera is a little more temporary.  I intended to mount it in
a place that could see the ground in front of both front wheels, but there was nowhere
with a good angle that didn't leave the camera hanging low.  Temporarily its mounted on
the front bumper.  The camera is still in its original case, which has been sealed
inside an airtight biscuit jar.  I'm toying with the idea of building it into the apron
panel, or possibly near the headlight.  Work In Progress....

Being a home set, it came with a 240V PSU.  I ran it off an inverter for a while while
testing, but now have bought a 12V DC/DC regulator PSU for $28 from Jaycar.  This box
uses less power because its not rectifying to 240V AC then back down to 12V DC. 

My long term plan is to find a cheap VCR and use it to record some off-road trip.
Painting is still to be done, and I'll try and get a better photo of the screen working.

Comments and questions welcome on the email page.

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