Reversing Camera (t180/xt5)

June 11, 2009

Just a slight note of caution to anybody who intends doing this to their own vehicle and following the advice pinned to the maintenance section (of which I was one of the contributors).

Since adding the camera to my vehicle I have had two occurances of the same problem. Do not get me wrong, this is not a problem with the vehicle more with the design of the camera that I used. Put simply, the cameras are stated to be waterproof but the likelihood is they will fail when mounted externally. The first camera that I fitted let water/moisture in after about one month of fitting. I started to, obviously, get blurred image and then the camera failed completely. They are sealed units and it is therefore not a case of opening up and drying them out etc.

The company from whom I purchased were very good at the time and replaced it -- slightly annoying having to rip the back door to pieces again and refit but worth it to get the camera going again.

I have been basking in the glory of this working for the last year plus, but a week ago I noticed that the camera had managed to get moisture inside once again and therefore the integrity of its structure has clearly decided to give in!

I do not think that I can offer any particular solution. I do not put the car through a car auction nor do use a pressure washer. I have decided this time to try one of the spyhole/flush type cameras which is on order. I figured that if the main body of the camera is not mounted externally then I stand more chance with avoiding watering ingress and I believe most factory fitted cameras are of that type. I am of course going to have to have a very steady hand in drilling the main hole to install! which is why I did not buy one of these in the first place.

I would be interested if anybody has used the flush mount type cameras and whether they have remained dry!

June 11, 2009

Just a slight note of caution to anybody who intends doing this to their own vehicle and following the advice pinned to the maintenance section (of which I was one of the contributors).
Since adding the camera to my vehicle I have had two occurances of the same problem. Do not get me wrong, this is not a problem with the vehicle more with the design of the camera that I used. Put simply, the cameras are stated to be waterproof but the likelihood is they will fail when mounted externally. The first camera that I fitted let water/moisture in after about one month of fitting. I started to, obviously, get blurred image and then the camera failed completely. They are sealed units and it is therefore not a case of opening up and drying them out etc.
The company from whom I purchased were very good at the time and replaced it -- slightly annoying having to rip the back door to pieces again and refit but worth it to get the camera going again.
I have been basking in the glory of this working for the last year plus, but a week ago I noticed that the camera had managed to get moisture inside once again and therefore the integrity of its structure has clearly decided to give in!
I do not think that I can offer any particular solution. I do not put the car through a car auction nor do use a pressure washer. I have decided this time to try one of the spyhole/flush type cameras which is on order. I figured that if the main body of the camera is not mounted externally then I stand more chance with avoiding watering ingress and I believe most factory fitted cameras are of that type. I am of course going to have to have a very steady hand in drilling the main hole to install! which is why I did not buy one of these in the first place.
I would be interested if anybody has used the flush mount type cameras and whether they have remained dry!

ps. Car 'wash' not car 'auction' ! - must speak more clearly when using speech reognotion software, or check the damned post first!!! :D

June 11, 2009

Just a slight note of caution to anybody who intends doing this to their own vehicle and following the advice pinned to the maintenance section (of which I was one of the contributors).
Since adding the camera to my vehicle I have had two occurances of the same problem. Do not get me wrong, this is not a problem with the vehicle more with the design of the camera that I used. Put simply, the cameras are stated to be waterproof but the likelihood is they will fail when mounted externally. The first camera that I fitted let water/moisture in after about one month of fitting. I started to, obviously, get blurred image and then the camera failed completely. They are sealed units and it is therefore not a case of opening up and drying them out etc.
The company from whom I purchased were very good at the time and replaced it -- slightly annoying having to rip the back door to pieces again and refit but worth it to get the camera going again.
I have been basking in the glory of this working for the last year plus, but a week ago I noticed that the camera had managed to get moisture inside once again and therefore the integrity of its structure has clearly decided to give in!
I do not think that I can offer any particular solution. I do not put the car through a car auction nor do use a pressure washer. I have decided this time to try one of the spyhole/flush type cameras which is on order. I figured that if the main body of the camera is not mounted externally then I stand more chance with avoiding watering ingress and I believe most factory fitted cameras are of that type. I am of course going to have to have a very steady hand in drilling the main hole to install! which is why I did not buy one of these in the first place.
I would be interested if anybody has used the flush mount type cameras and whether they have remained dry!
ps. Car 'wash' not car 'auction' ! - must speak more clearly when using speech reognotion software, or check the damned post first!!! :D

Hi, I fitted this type of camera about 8 months ago and meant to post pictures but couldn't work out how to.

I mounted it just below the Toyota symbol on the rear door, looks good,very discreet. But within a month the water had managed to get in.

I,too, only ever wash by hand.

So for a few days after washing I can't see, until a bit of warm, dry weather sorts it out.

June 11, 2009

Hi Darkside,

I also have condensation in my camera,which I noticed over the winter months, although I have a different camera and mounted below the bumper, the casing is alloy and very corroded, but still works reasonably well.

Last week while doing the weekly car wash I notice the protective glass on my camera was cracked, and means a replacement Camera as well, as I use the ntsc ccd camera this will work out rather expensive, but may buy cheaper one and change internal parts, and reposition it to the number plate.

Jim :( :( :(