Natika backup Camera blurry/flickery image

Spent all morning yesterday setting up a natika backup cam. Wasn't fun to run the wire with woolwax on the frame. Turns out the image isn't focused and is very blurry and has noise/static on the video feed when the engine is running only. When the engine is off, the static image goes away but the video picture is still blurry. Its not blurry from a dirty lens or a plastic lens cover from the orignal packaging. I used posi taps to tap into my reverse light's power (red w/blue stripe wire) and ground (brown &white wire) to the natika's wires. These are the taps I used, I'm concerned it likely needs a better ground? Posi-Tap Red (10) Inline Wire...

$14 Posi-Tap Red (10) Inline Wire Connectors 18-24, GA, AWG, Electrical Fastener, WIRE NOT INCLUDED

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSBYX3I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

All connections are on solid and the taps are screwed in as tight as it can go.

The Natika manual says some US and German cars need a 12v dc power filter rectifier to fix similar issues.

 

Did you hardwire the camera video feed or is it wifi transmitted?

Wifi transmitted always has signal noise. If you have the option, it's recommended to hardwire.

The fact that you have noise in the video does lead me to suspect a bad ground or interference from the alternator.

 

Yeah its hardwired, and i tried another ground too with the same issue. Thinking of trying a replacement camera while not changing the wiring out to see what happens. Running the wire was too much of a PITA to just undo and redo over again at this point until I know for certain that's the issue

 

Stupid question here, but is there a protective film over the lens part of the camera? Let's just say ... I maybe know someone who accidentally left the protective film on their new backup camera lens once or twice.

 

Could also see if you can change the video settings in your head unit from NTSC or PAL.

 

Haha nope, that's the first thing i checked right out of the box and mine didnt have any one it.

It originally was on PAL and had that issue when installed, so I tried cutting the blue wire loop per instructions to have 720p HD display on my head unit. Image may have improved marginally? But the noise/static is still there and looks very finicky still. Its at least enough for me to use but it still ain't right.

 

I'll also try connecting the rca cable to a different yellow rca video input on the back of the HU. It's currently in the one labeled rea view. Curios to see how testing the others out will do. (This HU has the option to rearrange and label the cameras position diagram within the system settings i.e. telling it which camera is the front, or dash, side,etc)

 

Is the video cable that your using shielded?

 

Is it grounded to the backup light, or to the frame? I saw somewhere that they do not recommend using the reverse light ground.

 

I'd get some clip on ferrite noise filters from Amazon. If you're running coms and power to lights and accessories near one another it helps with static. My GMRS radio used to go crazy whenever I put the truck in reverse because of the LED bulbs. I think I have one on my dash cam and backup camera as well.

 

I just have a plastic wire loom over it running the length of the frame from the back to the truck to the grommet under the driver seat. From the grommet on to the head unit inside the cab i don't have anything over it

 

I had it grounded to the reverse light's ground by tapping in using the posi-taps. Currently, i have it twisted on the same wire nut ground that I'm using for my leds in the camper shell and camper brake light. I have not tried grounding to the frame, didn't see a bolt or anything behind the tailight that I could use. I could easily probably just drill one in though.

 

Hmm i might have to do that then because I have my camper led wires bundled in right next to the cameras behind the tail light.

 

Can't recall if you have a converter box driver side rear but if not, I'd suggest cleaning/sanding that circled area and use that for body ground. It's what a converter box is screwed into. I believe it has threads and it accepts a M6×1.0 w/10MM head that you might get from hdw store.

 

I am using that same/similar natika camera and have it installed the same way you describe here, out the grommet under the driver's seat with plastic wire loom. I also used my driver taillight for power and ground using Positaps without issue. I'm using Lasfit LEDs in my brake lights and reverse lights, but I don't have a camper with LEDs. My headunit requires only a 720 signal so I had to clip one of the loops to the camera. I've got a clear image when in reverse. I'd probably try grounding where Bubba suggested or route the camper led wiring to the passenger taillight.

 

Thank you, I'll definitely give that a try. I don't have the box there and just those two holes but I don't recall seeing it threaded--i was paying attention or looking for it when I noticed them at the time but I'll look again and try that since it sounds like the beat option.

Ahh ok--yup had to do similar by cutting a wire loop for 720p. I don't have led tail lights though and have the license plate mounted version. I'll have to try that ground option and maybe even upgrade to led reverse/tailights so they'll draw a little less power