Furrion Backup Camera

[Jim Gee]

When I ordered my 350M, I requested the backup camera option. I told the dealer I was going to use it as an observation camera so make sure you get the correct camera. Dealership said no problem. When it came in, it had the Furrion FRC12TA-BL backup camera. They said the factory wired it as an observation camera and it will be on at all times so I should be all set. I drove it home and it worked “OK”, but not great, kept losing sync. A week later I went to use the trailer and I could not get the camera to sync at all. Finally called Furrion tech support and they told me I had burnt out the lens on the camera! The backup camera was developed only to be used for a few seconds in reverse, not as an observation camera!! I should have gotten their model FOS48TA-BL which can be left on at all times. Tech Support also told me they are going to send me their Observation model at no charge to replace the backup camera version. That’s what I call Customer Service!
Just wanted to let everyone know, do not plan on using the Furrion Backup Camera as an observation camera, it won’t work!

 

[campusa]

let us know how the new one works, I have been considering the observation camera.

 

[Flyfish-MGRV]

Hi I have a camera on the back of my momentum355 but got it used and no instructions do I need the factory monitor or does it work on my factory chev back up screen .what do I need thanks bob

 

[Jim Gee]

Received my new observation camera and monitor last Wednesday and had it installed in about 20 minutes. Left on Friday for an 800 mile weekend trip and I'm glad to report the camera worked great! During the entire trip the camera may have lost sync a couple of times but was able to resync itself within a second or two. I was able to see cars behind me with no issues. I would highly recommend it!! This is the Furrion model FOS48TA-BL.

 

[campusa]

Does your camera ever turn off? I installed one over the weekend as well and noticed even with the battery switch off, the camera was being powered.

 

[Jim Gee]

Just went out and checked myself and you are correct, it never powers off even with the battery switch off! I remember talking to the technician who did my PDI and he told me there was a red wire going to the battery that powers the camera. I think I remember seeing it and it had an in-line fuse. I will have to check it out to make sure it can be powered off for the winter!!

 

[campusa]

Just went out and checked myself and you are correct, it never powers off even with the battery switch off! I remember talking to the technician who did my PDI and he told me there was a red wire going to the battery that powers the camera. I think I remember seeing it and it had an in-line fuse. I will have to check it out to make sure it can be powered off for the winter!!

I was kinda wondering myself if this was going to be a issue or if the power draw was minimal, but it would be nice to know how or if it would be good to power it down, kind of wierd that it comes prewired always hot, even with battery switch off.

 

[Racerx]

First @Jim Gee. Thanks for posting this. Had dealer order observation camera. After reading your post, checked with dealership and they did in fact order the backup camera. The new one arrived, and I installed in less than 8 minutes. Camera came already paired up. Review of Observation camera: works great, extremely easy to install with prewired mount. Has 3 adjustments on camera mount for distance. Checked tonight; it is powered even with battery power off on rv. I have checked picture at 100 feet and still extremely clear picture. I can not speak for longevity but so far very happy with it and feel it is money well spent. I do not see WHY someone would buy the backup when you can get the observation for the same price. The observation does have distance lines also. I have mine set for max distance and cannot see the bumper in the viewing, however when backing can see a wide view of my surroundings.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Racerx]

Not to confuse any one. The 100 foot test is from the camera to the viewing receiver.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Jim and Lonnie]

Will leving the camera on All the time burn out the camera?

 

[campusa]

First @Jim Gee. Thanks for posting this. Had dealer order observation camera. After reading your post, checked with dealership and they did in fact order the backup camera. The new one arrived, and I installed in less than 8 minutes. Camera came already paired up. Review of Observation camera: works great, extremely easy to install with prewired mount. Has 3 adjustments on camera mount for distance. Checked tonight; it is powered even with battery power off on rv. I have checked picture at 100 feet and still extremely clear picture. I can not speak for longevity but so far very happy with it and feel it is money well spent. I do not see WHY someone would buy the backup when you can get the observation for the same price. The observation does have distance lines also. I have mine set for max distance and cannot see the bumper in the viewing, however when backing can see a wide view of my surroundings.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I didn't play with mine much prior to brining it to the storage lot where I keep my trailer. I also agree that it synced up well and was easy to install. However I drove at night and it was an overcast night with minimal ambient lighting and I found the camera to be not very useful under those conditions. I did think that during the daytime when I first installed the camera it worked well. I will need to read the instructions as I didn't realize there was 3 adjustments for distance, so that is good to know.

 

[campusa]

Will leving the camera on All the time burn out the camera?

I hope not, as it appears at least for some of us it is always on.

 

[Racerx]

@campusa. Where the camera is mounted on the rear, there are three indents. By pushing the camera, that swivels, you can point more upward or downward.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Racerx]

If someone here does not beat me to it, I will call Furrion about it being powered all the time and ask it it hurts the camera. I suspect that when we turn the monitor off, it could in fact power off the camera somehow. If not, I would think a simple automotive switch mounted just prior to the wire on the battery could be installed quite easily.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[campusa]

If someone here does not beat me to it, I will call Furrion about it being powered all the time and ask it it hurts the camera. I suspect that when we turn the monitor off, it could in fact power off the camera somehow. If not, I would think a simple automotive switch mounted just prior to the wire on the battery could be installed quite easily.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks, looking forward to hearing what you find out.

 

[Jim Gee]

When I spoke with Furrion support they said there was no issue leaving the observation camera on at all times as it was designed that way.
I'm guessing it is the same technology as a camera, say at a bank, that is on all of the time.

 

[Racerx]

When I spoke with Furrion support they said there was no issue leaving the observation camera on at all times as it was designed that way.
I'm guessing it is the same technology as a camera, say at a bank, that is on all of the time.

Thanks Jim Gee for that information. I just now attempted to post on their Facebook page with several questions but it did not show up as a post.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Jim Gee]

I went out and checked the red wire I thought was connected to the rear camera and pulled the fuse. Sorry to say the camera is still on. Tried to see if I could find another wire that might be the camera wire, but had no luck. If anyone finds the correct wire, let me know. If all else fails, I will just unhook the power connector to the camera for the winter.

 

[Racerx]

@JIM, Not relevant to the camera, but that fused wire may be to the solar panel plug if you have one. May be a good question for Grand Design to answer how and where it can be disconnected to save batteries over long term storage. Anyone from Grand Design know the Answer.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Cate&Rob]

Grand Design has an interesting perspective on "battery master switch". This switch turns of everything aft of the front compartment, but leaves power to the landing gear, front cap LEDs and front compartment light. (talking Reflection).
The camera power wire must come all the way to the front compartment . . . everything else in the coach goes off with the master switch. If you can find this camera feed wire (must be in the front compartment), it should be easy to move it to one of the battery switch circuits . . . or better yet, put it on its own switch.

Rob