Note: It is recommended that each component within the system be tested prior to installation.
Monitors
Monitors should be mounted either overhead, on the dash board, or on the dog house within 3 feet of the driver. (For a dual drive truck the monitor should be placed where it is accessible from both the left and right side driving position). It should also be mounted in a fashion that would prevent glare from sunlight affecting the image seen on the screen.
It is important to make sure the monitor does not block the driver's forward or side view in any way prior to installation.
1. Locate the area in the cab that best accommodates the driver and the application. You'll want to make sure the location chosen is adequate to support the monitor (a metal surface is recommended). In cases where the mounting surface is plastic, support braces may be required.
2. Once you have located the preferred mounting position, use the mounting bracket supplied with the monitor as a template for drilling the holes required to hold the monitor in place. When a swivel base is required use it as your template. In either case be sure to verify that the area being drilled into is cleared of all wires and other items around or underneath so as not to damage anything.
3. After the holes have been drilled mount the bracket with the hardware provided. In some cases the hardware provided may not work in your application. You may need to purchase additional hardware for your application.
4. Provided with the monitor are the Power (red), Reverse (blue), and Ground (black) wires that need to be connected. The ground wire should be connected first. To do this simply locate a solid chassis ground and secure the wire to it. Second should be the power. This should be connected to a post ignition power source and connected with the 5 amp fuse and wire provided (see the monitors operation guide for the voltage requirements). Last will be the reverse wire which should be connected to the reverse light circuit. When connected properly this allows the system to come on when the vehicle is placed in reverse. Some monitors may be equipped with internal multi camera switching. Those monitors will have additional trigger wires that correspond to the additional camera inputs. While the additional trigger wires do not need to be connected for normal REAR VISION applications they would follow the same installation as the rear trigger wire except, they would be connected to an alternative power source that is activated through some other function of the vehicle. (The trigger wires have the same voltage requirements as the power wire).
5. Bolt the monitor in the bracket (with the mounting knobs provided) and adjust its positioning as needed.
Cameras
For optimum field of view the camera should be mounted approximately 10 feet up on the vehicle from ground level so that the rear-most part of the vehicle is in line with the zero reference point on the monitor screen. If this is not possible, mount the camera in a fashion that will give the driver the best possible view of the area behind the vehicle, still aligning the rear-most part of the vehicle on the zero reference point on the monitor screen.
1. Establish a solid mounting location in the center of the vehicle using the guidelines above. Make sure that no part of the installation obstructs any lights or any part of the driver's view.
2. Position the camera with the mounting bracket attached in the location where it will be mounted and have someone turn on the system to check the area seen by the camera (you may have to reverse the camera mounting bracket or the bracket extension to obtain the proper angle).
3. Once the location and angle have been determined, use the camera bracket or bracket extension as a template to mark the position where the holes will be drilled and drill the holes. Make sure the area being drilled into is clear of all wires and other items before drilling.
4. Once the holes are drilled, install the camera mounting bracket and extension, if required, with the mounting bolts provided. You may need to purchase additional hardware if the hardware provided does not work in your application.
5. Mount the camera in the bracket with the hardware provided and align it so that the rear-most part of the vehicle is in line with the zero reference point at the bottom of the monitor screen.
6. If the connection between the camera and cable are not the Intec XL connectors they will need to be weather sealed. See the shrink tubing instructions for more detail.
Note: Be familiar with all the pivot points on the vehicle prior to routing the cable.
Cables
Routing a cable is as simple as following the existing vehicle wiring though this may not always be possible, because not all wires have the same performance characteristics. See the cable installation supplement for general tips and precautions. In our example we will be starting in the front of the vehicle where the monitor is mounted. You should route the cable loosely through the vehicle in case you run into an area that would cause you to have to reroute the cable around something.
1. Route the cable from the monitor position to the exterior of the vehicle. You may have to drill a 1 to 1 1/2" hole in the cab wall to feed the cable through.
2. Once outside the cab you will need to choose the best direction to take based on obstacles in your path. The left side of the vehicle is preferred, though you may have to use the right side to get out of the cab and cross over to the left side once you're past the transmission.
3. At the rear of the vehicle there is usually a side reinforcement channel on the packer body that can be used as a conduit to get the cable to the top of the vehicle.
4. Once the cable is at the top of the vehicle, you will need to cross over the pivot point securing the cable on both sides. Be sure to allow enough slack at this point so as to not damage the cable when the tailgate is raised and lowered; but not so much slack as to allow the cable to snag on branches, etc
5. Most tail gates have a channel at the top where the lights are mounted. This can be used as conduit to get the cable to the center of the tailgate. At the center, drill a hole to feed the cable out to the tailgate where the camera will be mounted.
6. Prior to securing connect the cable to the monitor and camera and check the system. This will insure that it has not been damaged during the installation. Once the operation of the system has been verified you can go back and secure the cable (refer to the cable installation supplement page for tips and precautions).
Cable Installation Supplement
The following are general tips and precautions to keep in mind while routing the cable between the camera and monitor. First, with the exception of the connectors, the entire cable is weatherproof and can withstand exposure to cold (down to -40 degrees F), rain, snow, dirt, etc. If you feel the environment in which the cable is exposed is extremely harsh, you can route the cable through a conduit.
If exposed to the environment, the connectors must be weatherproofed. A simple means is to use 1-inch diameter heat shrink (gum interior) tubing to cover the whole connector assembly. This will seal and protect the connector from direct moisture due to rain, snow, vehicle washing, etc. Weatherproof junction boxes, properly sealed, are another means. One should occasionally check the seals to make sure they remain intact. (When using the XL cable and connector, heat shrinking of the camera-end connector is not necessary.)
DO NOT use electrical tape, slitted plastic conduit, or silicon only as a weatherproofing. They may protect the connector for a short period of time but will quickly lose their ability to keep moisture away from the connector and pins.
Other cable installation hints include:
1) Do not attach the cable to moving vehicle parts.
2) Keep the cable at least 12 inches away from any significant source of heat. Avoid running the cable along the same side of the chassis as the ABS wiring.
3) Route the cable where it is protected from road debris or overhead obstructions.
4) Secure the cable so that vehicle vibration and shock does not loosen it. Tie the cable down approximately every 18 inches.
5) Secure the cable on both sides of a pivot point allowing enough cable to extend fully, but not so much as to cause snagging. Run the cable to avoid getting caught in the pivot point.
6) If you have excess cable, do not coil it too tightly; avoid crimping the cable.
7) Do not staple through the cable.
Periodic checks of the cables, camera, monitor and wiring will help spot potential trouble areas before they result in a system failure. An excellent time to check is when the vehicle is in for routine maintenance.
Heavy Equipment
Installation of the camera system on your heavy equipment follows the same basic principals as the installation on your route trucks. See the preceding installation instructions for details.
CAUTION: Read and understand your vehicle's information pertaining to all Roll over Protective Structures (ROPS). DO NOT drill into, weld onto, or modify in anyway any ROPS without written permission from the original equipment manufacturer or an authorized dealer.