Wolfbox As Trailer Cam?

[Glen]

I intend to install a Wolfbox G900TriPro in my Grenadier and add a fourth camera on the back of my trailer. Here's the parts list I've come up with:

- Wolfbox G900TriPro
- a second front bumper camera to mount on the back of my trailer
- a ParkingCameras.com ACC099 switching box to select either the front bumper or trailer camera
- a Top Dawg AHD Wirelss tx / rx to connect the trailer camera to the Grenadier

I've sent an email to ParkingCameras.com asking them to verify their unit will pass an AHD 1080P signalwithout degradation or conversion. I'm not sure if Wolfbox sells just the front bumper camera . . . maybe @WolfBox can fill us in.

Does anyone see a problem with the parts list or have a suggestion of a better way to accomplish this without using a secondary display? My intent is to switch to the trailer cam while towing and use that as the rearview mirror display.

 

[landmannnn]

Doesn't a reverse camera need the image flipped? If so then a repurposed front camera won't work.

 

[Clark Kent]

Wolfbox doesn't use a standard 4 pin plug as shown on that switch box. They use a mini plug like this example. I have been looking for a switch box with that style plug and haven't found anything. I have the parts to make a camera switch box using a 9 pin double throw switch and following the info in the post below.

I would wait until you have the Tripro kit before proceeding so you can identify the required plug type.

Post in thread 'WolfBox - As A New Vendor, Offering 20% Off Discount!' https://www.theineosforum.com/threa...ring-20-off-discount.12416448/post-1333243423

 

[Eric]

Doesn't a reverse camera need the image flipped? If so then a repurposed front camera won't work.

Surely not, if it sees a front post on the left side front facing, then that same image will see a right hand post on the driver's side (RHD) when facing rear, albeit it will be a left image to the camera located on the rear, but displayed correctly on a screen. Or have I just tied myself in knots

 

[landmannnn]

So if you are driving along a coast road, the front camera will see the beach on the left and that will be the view you see on the screen.

Put that camera on the rear, the beach will be on the right. So the screen will show the beach on the right.

I had to think about that.

 

[Eric]

So if you are driving along a coast road, the front camera will see the beach on the left and that will be the view you see on the screen.

Put that camera on the rear, the beach will be on the right. So the screen will show the beach on the right.

I had to think about that.

Yes but if it is fixed as a reverse camera, the beach will be on the right if you are backing up

 

[landmannnn]

Yes but if it is fixed as a reverse camera, the beach will be on the right if you are backing up

Correct. I am not sure if the flip image is in the camera or screen, but just mounting a forward camera on the rear isn't going to work.

 

[Glen]

Wolfbox doesn't use a standard 4 pin plug as shown on that switch box. They use a mini plug like this example. I have been looking for a switch box with that style plug and haven't found anything. I have the parts to make a camera switch box using a 9 pin double throw switch and following the info in the post below.

I would wait until you have the Tripro kit before proceeding so you can identify the required plug type.

View attachment 7924966


Post in thread 'WolfBox - As A New Vendor, Offering 20% Off Discount!' https://www.theineosforum.com/threa...ring-20-off-discount.12416448/post-1333243423

Without having one in hand, my research indicates that Wolfbox is using some type of USB cable (and a vendor-specific protocol) to connect their rear camera to the mirror - is this the cable you're showing?

If they become an impediment, connectors aren't really a problem - I can afix new connectors on each side (probably aviation style 4-pin). If a 3PDT switch is adequate to switch between cameras, I could locate that right in the back of the vehicle near the supplied rearview camera and my WiFi receiver to keep cable lengths short. I could also shield it in its own Faraday cage to make sure we don't broadcast or receive noise.

@Eric and @landmannnn - I think you're right, the image from a re-purposed front camera will be like physically looking out the rear window and having that image displayed on the mirror - it won't correspond to what you'd expect in a mirror. So @WolfBox , what I really need is a second rearview camera: are those available?

Glen

 

[Glen]

Here's what ParkingCameras.com replied:

We have had AHD 1080P signals pass through the ACC099 successfully, so in principle it can handle that type of signal. However, AHD can be a little temperamental, especially when the signal is going through multiple connection points or longer cable runs, so it’s not something we can guarantee in every setup.

The main concern in your case would actually be the Wolfbox system itself. From past experience, Wolfbox units don’t appear to use standard AHD in the same way as most aftermarket systems. Despite various attempts, we’ve not been able to get a stable 1080P signal working with them. It’s possible they are using a different format such as HDTVI or HDCVI, but the manufacturer doesn’t publish clear specifications, so we can’t confirm compatibility.

There’s also the power side to consider, as Wolfbox cameras typically run on 5V rather than the 12V we would normally expect, which can introduce further compatibility issues.

One final point to mention is that we’re unfortunately not able to supply to North America (including the USA) due to restrictions within our business insurance policy.

So they aren't sure their switch would work with the Wolfbox, and they don't offer sales in North America.