Wireless Backup Camera Interference Problems - Fiberglass RV
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Old 07-01-2012, 10:06 AM   #1
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Wireless Backup Camera Interference Problems

Hi,
We are looking for some help with a PEAK PKC0RB Wireless Backup Camera. We got it all set up in our 19' Scamp Deluxe and thought everything was going great - until we tried the camera with the tow vehicle (2011 Frontier) running. The image started to roll and break up and was basically useless.

We tried moving the transmitter around with no improvement. We checked the manual and decided that the distance should not be a problem because the transmission distance listed in the manual is 197 feet. We aimed the transmitter so the signal would have to go through the least amount of 'stuff'.

It had a decent picture when the TV was not running but clearly there was interference occurring when the TV engine was running and even when it was just on accessories. So we were thinking maybe BlueTooth interference. Did some researching and found some indications that that might be the problem.

Has anyone else run into this and, if so, what was your solution? We really don't want to use a hard-wired system.....

Thanks!
Fran in NM
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Old 07-01-2012, 01:54 PM   #2
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if it uses 2.4 gHz, so does just about everything else in a modern household. WiFi, bluetooth, cordless phones, wireless headphones, microwaves. Always avoid 2.4 ghz devices if you can, that's very, very crowded spectrum.

Perhaps try when you're in the middle of nowhere and only your devices would be an issue. In a neighborhood there may be too much interference.

I'd love to have one of those, so let us know how it works out!
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Old 07-01-2012, 02:08 PM   #3
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Yes it is 2.4 gHz. Our house is pretty much far off from other homes so I don't think it is 'other' 2.4 gHz interference that is getting us. More likely our blue tooth in the vehicle.

Later today we are going to maneuver the TV with the front end closest to the Scamp and see if there is any improvement when the transmitter is closer to the monitor.

Right now the monitor (in the TV) and the transmitter(in the Scamp) are about 19' apart. The camera is mounted in the rear window of the Scamp. If we got the 25' extension cord that goes between the transmitter and the camera then we could move the transmitter to the very front of the loft area and that would put the transmitter about 10 feet from the monitor (in the TV). After the experiment today with putting the front of the TV close to the Scamp we'll know whether that is even worth pursuing.

I know there is at least one 13' Scamp owner who is using this camera setup successfully because he posted about it on the Scamp Yahoo group. But I don't know if he has bluetooth in his TV.

Will report later on the experiment.
Fran
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Old 07-01-2012, 04:32 PM   #4
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Should be easy enough to turn off all Bluetooth devices to check that way. Moving the transmitter/receiver should help reduce the effect of interfering devices. Just driving down a crowded freeway will have you surrounded by 2.4 bluetooth and wifi devices.

I tried paring my bt headset on the freeway the other day and there were several other devices that showed up when I tried, presumably in vehicles around me!!! We live bathed in RF signals. God help our chromosomes!
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Old 07-01-2012, 06:53 PM   #5
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Well we pulled the Frontier up close to the front of the Scamp and were able to get a decent picture on the monitor when the transmitter and monitor were about 10' apart and the motor was running. So we've ordered the extension cord and will relocate the transmitter to the very front of the loft area. That will put the transmitter about 9 to 10 feet from the console of the Frontier. We might have to locate the monitor in the back window of the Frontier but hope we won't have to.

It turns out that it is very difficult to disable the bluetooth in the vehicle. Just turning off your phone doesn't do it...it involves fuses. Don't want to go there.

Will post a followup once we have everything installed again.
Fran
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Old 07-10-2012, 05:09 PM   #6
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Success!

Success!
The extension cord for the camera to the transmitter arrived the other day. It adds 25' to the about 9 feet on the original cord and allows us to cable from the camera in the back window all the way to the very front of the Scamp loft.
Today we rewired the power cable into the wiring for a spotlight in the loft.
Our goal was to get the transmitter as close to the front of the Scamp as
possible. With this arrangement we have enough cable length so that we can just tuck the transmitter at the front of the bed between the cushion and the front wall.

We brought the truck around and backed the tailgate up to the gooseneck (didn't want to bother with getting closer for testing). The image in the monitor was pretty good - especially if we mounted the monitor on the back window. In the front of the vehicle it was not so good. We figure that when we actually hitch up the Scamp will be closer to the cab of the truck, getting the transmitter even closer and maybe the monitor will work ok mounted on the front window. If not, we can live with it mounted in the back window.

We're heading out on a trip this weekend and will test it out for real. If it
works well, we'll post some pictures.

Fran in NM
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Old 08-22-2013, 02:32 PM   #7
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UPDATE - We were able to use the Peak PKCORB with our Scamp 5er with only some occasional interference. So it was good enough to keep using, which we did.

However, we recently sold our Scamp and purchased a 2008 Escape 5.0. The distance that the camera must transmit the signal is basically the same as it was in the Scamp. We set everything up exactly the same way. And have discovered that the camera works REALLY well with the Escape. The only difference seems to be that the Escape is not lined with Reflectix the way Scamps are. Our Escape does not have the extra insulation which would mean there was a layer of Reflectix lining the trailer.
So, if you are using this with a Scamp it just may be the Reflectix which is the culprit. Not sure if removing a small piece at the nose of the trailer where then transmitter sits would fix the interference...

BTW, if we don't have the camera hooked up, we WILL pick up local TV stations on the monitor....

Fran in NM
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