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Back Up Camera Mod (That won't drain Pod battery!)

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3685
Printed Date: 31 May 2025 at 5:41am
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Topic: Back Up Camera Mod (That won't drain Pod battery!)
Posted By: ThePinoyPodders
Subject: Back Up Camera Mod (That won't drain Pod battery!)
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 7:05pm
*Please be aware this mod was completed on a 2010 172 R Pod. Wiring and configuration may vary on other years &/or models. Please do your own research before attempting and be sure to have some electrical knowledge. 

Camera info:  Yada Digital Wireless Backup Camera Model # BT53328F-1 (4.3inch display)


One of our first modifications for our 172 was installing a back up camera on the back of the Pod. It's a bit of a lengthy install (took us appx. 6hrs including a lunch break), but is well worth it in our opinion! 

First things first, remove the license plate: 



Remove the license plate holder/light fixture assembly: 



We then fed the camera cable through the space under the light fixture itself:

 

And then into the hole that sits behind the light fixture: 



Feed the rest of the cable into the hole and place the camera on the license plate. Then replace the fixture:

 

The cable is now resting between the wood veneer and the inside of the shell, inside our pull through compartment.  Remove a few staples holding the veneer wall and pull the wall away exposing the wiring in the back. *optional step: We wired the camera to a 9 volt battery to test the position of the camera before securing it fully. 

Our next step was to run a 14 gauge wire that will carry power to the camera.  In the photo below you'll see a connector (that has a blue cover which was removed for the photo) - when the cover is removed you'll see two blade prongs inside which connects the wires together. It is also filled with some sort of clear grease. Notice in the picture the yellow wire is the wire we will connect to. This wire is the unused center pin on the 7 way plug. Whether or not your pod is the same, I'm not sure? 



Now take the 14 gauge wire and connect it to the yellow connection. I removed the terminating blades and preset them into the blue cover before inserting back into the connector. Make sure the wire is inserted all the way to the back of the connector before inserting the blue cover. Please use pliers to ensure a solid connection. 

The 14 gauge wire now has to run almost the length of the trailer to a sealed port located beneath the trailer near the water heater. We ran the cable inside the existing plastic jacket that covers all the current wires for added protection - was quite a job trying to get it into the jacket and beneath the zip ties, but it was possible and looks very clean! 
In the photo below you can see the two ports located near the water heater. I suggest choosing the port closest to the back of the trailer, as this port contains all of the automotive related wiring (ie/ taillights, etc.) Better to keep the wiring all together imo. 



The wire is fed up this port and enters the water heater compartment inside the trailer (under our L shaped dinette in the 172). This portion was easiest with two people. My wife inside the trailer and myself under - feeding the 14 gauge wire through the port with help from a wire puller. Be warned - the rubber material is very tight fitting and it's quite the struggle to get the wire through. You could add additional silicone once wire is in place, but I didn't feel it was necessary due to the strength/squeeze of the original rubber material. The black wire in the photo is our 14 gauge wire. Be sure to pull the wire into the trailer until all the slack is gone. 




We now tested for continuity between the center pin on the plug and the wire we just ran to assure our connection is good. (if you have any questions about this step, just ask) 

We then pulled the wire into the pull through compartment. 



View from inside pull through compartment: 



and then fed behind the wood veneer to meet up with the camera wiring.



Camera wire is noted with red arrow. Connect the positive lead from the camera to the 14 gauge wire using a marette (see yellow arrow) Connect the negative lead from the camera to negative bundle (see blue arrow). We then tied all loose cables and replaced the wood veneer. 



The Pod itself is now wired for the backup cam. We now move to the TV itself. 

We dismantled the socket plug and now had to determine which pin on the 7 way socket was auxiliary power. With our TV it ended up being the black wire. We came to this by using a volt meter and seeing which pin had 12 volts. We used a 14 gauge jumper wire between the auxiliary power pin and the unused center pin. We then reassembled the socket and tested the camera! 

The power to the camera now turns on only when the 7 way plug is connected to the TV; therefore, no drainage of the pod battery will ever occur. This also leaves the camera running while we tow so it acts like a rear view mirror! 


-ThePinoyPodders (Hubby)
 



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2010 R Pod 172
2013 Ford F-150
https://www.facebook.com/ThePinoyPodders



Replies:
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 7:18pm
WinkTry installing a 'wireless' camera that feeds from the rear running lites. No having to snake wires to and thru' the TV. A simple plugin LED receiver on the dash.  If the running lites are shut off or the Pod is unplugged from the TV...no camera-battery drain.  Check on the broadcast distance of the camera...some cannot even reach 20 feet!


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TIDALWAVE


Posted By: ThePinoyPodders
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 7:39pm
That's a great suggestion Tidalwave! Would have been nice to not have the mod take quite as long :p 

I'm just not sure about the lights. Do the day time running lights of TV's activate the Pod's running lights? We always leave our TV's lights on "Auto", so it always has the day time running lights on, but won't switch to full lights until it's dark enough. 

Our Yada has a 50ft rated distance, and so far it works very well up to that distance. There was a 50% off sale, so we couldn't pass it up! 

-ThePinoyPodders (Wife) 


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2010 R Pod 172
2013 Ford F-150
https://www.facebook.com/ThePinoyPodders


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2013 at 10:35pm
Nice detailed write-up.  Eventually I need to get a wireless one, one that I can swap between the back of the pod and back of the TV when I'm not towing.

-------------
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: ThePinoyPodders
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2013 at 8:22pm
Thanks teckntrek!  Well, before we started this mod one of the things I wanted to do is have the option of a quick connect system that would allow the camera to be attached to the Pod when towing or the TV when detached from the Pod as you were suggesting.

I was thinking as a future project to add a simple "jack" style quick connect onto the trailer and my TV, should work I think :)

Cheers!

-ThePinoyPodders (Hubby)





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2010 R Pod 172
2013 Ford F-150
https://www.facebook.com/ThePinoyPodders


Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2013 at 11:26am
SmileOn my Chevy pickup whenever the pickup's running lights are on so are the Pod's. If I activate the 'auto'-lights...the running lights go on by themselves.  During the day I sometimes turn on the running lights (and the rear camera), just to check on any traffic that may be 'drafting' just behind the Pod.
Before installing the camera, I once had a small car do that and it was hidden from my mirrors. We both proceeded to try to pass another vehicle, scary moment as we both tried to swing into the left lane. 


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TIDALWAVE


Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2013 at 1:28pm
Originally posted by ThePinoyPodders

Thanks teckntrek!  Well, before we started this mod one of the things I wanted to do is have the option of a quick connect system that would allow the camera to be attached to the Pod when towing or the TV when detached from the Pod as you were suggesting.

I was thinking as a future project to add a simple "jack" style quick connect onto the trailer and my TV, should work I think :)

Cheers!

-ThePinoyPodders (Hubby)





There is no reason why that wouldn't work.  You would just need 2 mounts for the camera.

Terry


-------------
RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565


Posted By: Chuck
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2013 at 11:05am
Does anyone have any experience with the iBall wireless camera?

-------------
Z-pod
Chuck Janet & Bogie the dog
'12 RP 177
1972 Shasta 1400
2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8


Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2013 at 10:41pm
Chuck, I have an I ball and I really like it. It was reasonably priced. I primarly use it for backing up and hooking up. I thought about putting a 12 volt cigar lighter socket inside and using it for an outside camera. You can also use it when backing into a camping spot, the camera has a magnetic base that you can stick on the spare tire carrier and watch as you back into a spot. the resolution on the camera is quite good.

-------------
Dane and Donna Smith
2011 RP-172
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4
lift kit
prodigy wireless brake controller


Posted By: SteveC
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2013 at 9:04am

The addition of a camera on the back of the Pod is great idea for safety of people and the Pod, especially for those that struggling backing up with a trailer attached.  I have looked into adding the the YADA model so I watched the install videos on the YADA site.  


I have a Chevy Silverado and the instructions say to wire the camera into the drivers side rear light...if using the camera on the truck. Wondering on the Pod if you could wire it into the rear light and if not why? 



-------------
2014 R Pod 178


Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2013 at 1:26pm
Originally posted by SteveC

The addition of a camera on the back of the Pod is great idea for safety of people and the Pod, especially for those that struggling backing up with a trailer attached.  I have looked into adding the the YADA model so I watched the install videos on the YADA site.  


I have a Chevy Silverado and the instructions say to wire the camera into the drivers side rear light...if using the camera on the truck. Wondering on the Pod if you could wire it into the rear light and if not why? 



-------------
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD


Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2013 at 1:48pm
You have to decide whether you want a back-up camera or a rear view camera. A back-up camera is only in use when the truck is in reverse. The rear view camera is in use anytime the truck is turned on: day or night, forward or reverse, campground or highway. It enables you to see directly behind your R-POD while driving down the highway; a really nice thing.

The camera/monitor hardware for either application is the same. The only difference is how you hook up the power to the camera and monitor. For back-up use the camera is hooked up to the rear backup light (not the brake light) on the Pod the same as recommended for the truck. For rear view use the camera and monitor must be hooked up to 12 volt sources independent of the backup lights.

I bought a wireless camera and display from Rear View Safety. The camera is installed high up and centered on the rear of the R-Pod. It's mounted to the black spoiler/clearance light bar. I brought the power wire over to the left edge of the roof, down the side of the Pod a few inches, and through the side wall into the Pod interior. Lots of silicone caulking applied. Inside it is connected to a continuous source of 12 volts. Provisions are made to disconnect the camera from power inside the trailer to avoid draining the trailer battery when not in use. 




-------------
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD


Posted By: SteveC
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2013 at 6:45am
CharlieM
Thanks for the input...got to think that through on which method meets our need.  What model did you get from Rear View Safety for your Pod?  They look like very well made systems. 


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2014 R Pod 178


Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2013 at 8:13am
SteveC,

The model is RVS-7706123W. It works well day and night. The dusk/evening view is even better than my eyes. The total darkness view with the infrared is OK, but best for watching bears sneak up on the back of the RPOD at night.Tongue  Being wireless it's subject to some interference, particularly in populated areas such as gas stations. DO NOT back up in gas stations without a wife  lookout!



The IR LEDs show up as reflections from the i-Phone flash. At night they glow red.... and suck on the battery. Be sure to provide a disconnect when you're not using the camera.

Happy podding,



-------------
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD



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