Why Is My Backup Camera So Dark? (Troubleshooting Problems)
Technology does fail. You may see this more often than not with an RV. There are so many technological advances that some devices make it through to the consumer without the bugs ironed out. This can be the case with your backup cameras.
There are several reasons for this problem and two of them have to deal with the wiring. Your camera’s wires may be frayed or have broken connections. Before making adjustments, make sure to check the wiring to see that everything is connected right.
To learn more about this problem, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can fix this issue when it happens to you. Take a few minutes to see how this information helps you solve a problem.
Why is My Backup Camera So Dark?
As we just said, the problem could lie with the wiring. Wires do not last forever and they can get damaged in some way. All the vibration from your travels may have shaken some of the connections loose or damaged those connections.
Or something happened that helped those wires to fray. Either case, you may see a dark image on your monitor. But before you go and tear everything apart, make sure your other cameras are sending back clear images.
Other problems can be you are using an outdated camera with your system or your monitor is not compatible with that camera or its brand. Then you could have a bad signal between the camera and the monitor. This happens more often than not, especially in bad weather.
Finally, you may have a problem with the quality of the materials used to make the monitor, camera and transmitter, and receiver. Not to mention the wires. Low-quality materials certainly influence your system’s performance in a negative manner.
When you get a dark image on your monitor, make sure to check the equipment thoroughly as the break or interference can happen just about anywhere in the system
The Backup Camera Went Dark
One issue that has not been mentioned yet, is that your brightness settings may be off. According to one owner, his camera went dark about a second after he moved his transmission into reverse. He could not see anything in the shade or the sunlight.
Always check the simple things first. To solve that particular issue, hopefully, just put your vehicle in reverse and make adjustments to the brightness setting. If it changes to a brighter picture, then you are fine and can start driving again.
If it doesn’t, then you may have a malfunction somewhere in the system. If this is the case, then take your RV to the shop that sold you the device and see what they can do to find the problem.
There are two places to change the brightness settings. One is in the monitor system and the other is in the camera system. Try both to see if that makes a difference.
Another option to try is a camera factory reset. That solved this problem for another owner. These simple solutions do save you time and money as the problem is solved without having to pay money for a professional to do the same thing.
Backup Camera Dark At Night
There are a couple of issues that may cause this problem for you. One is to do with your backup lights. They just may not be bright enough to illuminate the area behind your RV.
This is a common problem for many drivers as all they have to see behind them in the dark are their reverse lights. The bulbs may not be that great and do not illuminate the area very well.
The other problem may be that your RV just did get a very good backup camera. There are different levels of these cameras and in many cases, you may have bought one that is not powerful enough or have enough pixel rating to produce a good picture at night.
A third possibility is the resolution on your monitor. It may not be high enough to accommodate tough images at night. You may need to spend a little more money and buy a better system as the best images come with the top end backup camera systems.
If the problem hasn’t gone away and you checked all the possibilities listed at the beginning of this article, then go to your dealer to see if they can find the problem for you.
Can You Adjust The Backup Camera?
There are different methods you can use to adjust your backup camera. The main way to do this though is to use the menu options that pop up on your monitor’s screen.
Just flip through all the options to see what controls you do have and how to make any adjustments. We can’t speak for every brand of backup camera but the one we looked at did provide those options.
You may be able to adjust the angle on your camera as well. The one thing to be wary of is that car backup cameras may be different than those cameras for RVs. Make sure to read the instructions that came with your system to see what you can or cannot do.
Also, the word adjustment is not restricted to just changing the brightness level. You can change the angle by moving the camera on the bracket. That will give you a different view and help you see better.
When you make the physical adjustment, you should have someone looking at the monitor while you are working with the camera. That will make the work go faster and easier.
How each camera adjusts will be up to the manufacturer so make sure to read the manual first before thinking you can adjust it.
How do I Brighten My Backup Camera?
When the problem is just the settings, all you have to do is go to the menu. Then select the brightness option and when you get to the right screen, press the arrows to make the image brighter or darker.
That is a simplified set of instructions and your camera system may be a bit more complicated than that. Check the manual to make sure you get all the steps before trying this work.
But if the problem is not with the brightness level, adjusting the brightness may involve replacing the camera, repairing or replacing the wires, or checking the signal. Your camera placement may have been a bit off or top low.
If the latter is the case, you may have placed the camera too low and the signal is not fully making it to the monitor. You may have to find a new place for the camera if you are on a wireless system.
Also, check the wires. If the connection is bad, then the image you see will not be at its brightest possible level. Tightening up those connections will brighten your images. If you can’t solve your problem, take your RV or camera system to an expert and let them diagnose the problem and fix it for you.
Backup Camera Wiring Problems
One sign that you have a wiring problem is when you only see a black and white image on your monitor’s screen. Once you see that you have a tough job tracking down the source of the problem.
The source can be a fray or a loose or no connection. You will have to trace your wires back till you find the source of the problem. Then either replace or fix the wire and then tighten the connection.
Also, check to see where you plugged your camera into. You may have plugged it into the wrong port and the signal is not getting through. The camera should be plugged into the video feed and not the AUX dash cable port.
Placing the connectors into the wrong spot is a wiring problem even though that is done through operator error rather than worn out wires. Unrelated to wires but also important, is that you may need to reset your system.
That is a common cause for no images or dark images showing up on your monitor. Make sure to do a factory reset to get things operating at normal levels. There is a wide variety of sources for most backup camera options.
Mobile Vision Backup Camera Troubleshooting
To avoid different problems, you should regularly clean the monitor screen with a damp cloth. This will help keep dust away from your components. Also, to keep your system in top shape you should avoid-- excessive moisture, extreme heat or cold, and magnetic fields.
Doing these few things will cut down your troubleshooting later on. Some of the tips the manual gives are as follows:
- unstable image- move to a new location if you are on a wireless system; the generator may be a problem or there is low voltage coming from the battery
- cloudy image- dirty camera lens and monitor screen. Just clean those items up; contrast or brightness needs adjusting.
- no power or picture- check your fuses and see if the cable is hooked up correctly
- no sound- check to see if the volume is turned up and then check the cable connection
- no color- check your color settings
- no image when in reverse- check the green reverse trigger wire for proper 12-volt connection; check video inputs for proper connection
Those points are all found in the Mobile Vision manual. If you have other troubles either contact the company or see a professional technician for further help.
Fixing Backup Camera Problems
The fixes are fairly simple. Most have to do with the wires and connections. When those two items are not done right, then you will have nothing but problems.
When it comes to wires, you need to make sure they are installed correctly, are not frayed or being rubbed too much, as well as connected properly. Depending on your system, you may have a few connections or many connections to check.
The Mobile Vision manual does not provide a lot of examples or instructions on how to fix any problems that arise. You may have to talk to a technician if your wires and connectors are all okay.
It is hard to fix the loss of signal. Sometimes you may have to move your vehicle to a new location or you have to move the camera to a new location. You get a 1-year limited warranty with your purchase so you can hope all the problems show themselves in that time frame.
If there is any interference from other devices, you may have a problem until you remove yourself from that area.
Some Backup Camera Details
Most newer backup cameras come with night vision. This makes it easier for you to see behind you when you are late to the campsite. The type of night vision you will get will depend on the manufacturer.
Then, most brands make a backup camera that records. You can save as much data as the SD card will allow. If nothing has happened you can record over the data. But if something has happened you should move the recording to something more permanent that can’t be erased.
Finally, you can use your backup camera while driving. Just read the manual to see how to get it turned on and have it stay on.
Some Final Words
Back-up cameras have helped thousands of RV owners get safely into a parking lot or space, etc. The trouble is that not all backup camera systems are the same.
You will need to do some comparison shopping to find one that fits your budget and provides you with the best picture possible. Unless you have to, buying cheap is not a good option.
You need the best to make sure the system works right and stays working all the time.
