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06-06-2018, 04:40 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Control of Rear Camera?
Question:
Is there any way to modify the operation of the camera and or dashboard radio display to enable the camera while driving down the road? This would be a good safety enhancement helpful when towing a car or trailer and to monitor when it is clear to cut over when passing.
Background:
We have just purchased a 2017 BT Cruiser 5245. The radio does not appear to have any vendor identification in order to get a manual or technical info. It includes the rear camera display that only works when the gear shift is in reverse. Since the radio controls speakers mounted to the outside and bedroom areas it has to have been installed or modified by Gulf Stream.
I am looking for a setup option to manually display the camera when needed.
Does anyone know how to remove or access behind the radio?
Is it possible to install a manual switch in place of the wiring for reverse gear to manually control when the camera is displayed?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or recommendations!
CaryL
BT Cruiser
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06-06-2018, 08:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,028
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CaryL,
On my 2007 diesel pusher model T40C, the camera can be active all the time the ignition is on if you push the camera button on the dash radio/display panel. I do this all the time when I am driving my rig...
No idea how the new units are different, maybe others on this forum can shed some light on your unit's specifics.
Chuck
__________________
2007 Tour Master T40C
Acura MDX toad
"It takes a great deal of time to recover from any improvement..."
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06-09-2018, 02:36 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Hi Chuck,
Many thanks for your input. I appreciate your assistance and glad to be in touch. Also very glad to hear I am not completely crazy and that this is a reasonable need.
Unfortunately, I don't see any button or controls on the dash for camera. I may just be overlooking the obvious. However, the rear camera is consistently displayed on the radio every time the gear shift goes into reverse.
I contacted Ford Support (It is built on a Ford E350 chassis) and they said they did not supply the radio. I left a message with Gulf Stream and am awaiting a reply to see if they can tell me who made the radio and where to get a manual.
In the off chance that others in the group might be familiar with this radio, I am attaching a picture of the mystery radio.
happy trails,
Cary
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06-09-2018, 04:32 PM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 7
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bt cruiser radio
Hi Cary,
I have the same radio. There is no way to turn on the camera manually.
Also, this radio is bulk purchased by Gulf stream. Not much info about it in the web world.
Sorry I couldn't help you more than that.
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06-10-2018, 05:39 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Re: BT Cruiser Radio
Hi lipmsp,
Many thanks for the info. It is good to know that a possible contact point could be Gulf Stream. I will let you know if I come across any documentation.
By trial and error I found a setup screen in the radio that is for blue tooth. I tried to pair my iPhone to it but could not get them to recognize one another.
Have you been able to use blue tooth or make any setting adjustments to the radio?
FYI - mine came with a cable with a wide Apple connector for an old iPhone 4 or earlier. I found an adapter for it that will allow the newer iPhones to connect. So far I have only found the radio will play music with the cable.
Cheers,
Cary
BT Cruiser 5245B
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06-10-2018, 07:36 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 7
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radio
Hi Cary,
I must tell you that i replaced my radio and speakers with a Kenwood. unbelievable difference and much more useful and clear camera
Mark
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06-11-2018, 02:36 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Hi Mark, Good to know. With the Kenwood are you able to turn on the camera whenever needed?
Right now I am in discovery mode with the BT Cruiser and want to learn how to use what's included before resorting to replacing components.
FYI, for others who still have the Gulf Stream radio, the Gulf Stream website lists "Drive Home Theater System Owner's Manual ( 2018 ) Model EEDV06" on the Owners Resource page. The manual is also available from "Way Interglobal Network".
The 12 page document has a picture that does not look like the radio at all. However I was able to pair my iPhone 6 via Bluetooth to the radio using their directions. I couple of pointers was to hold the phone less than 2" from the radio (I just placed it against it), the phone located a device simply labeled "BLUETOOTH". I then entered pass code 0000 (4 zeroes) and it connected. I was able to punch in a phone # on the radio and the iPhone placed the call. Response came through the radio speakers and I could speak using the radio's microphone. The phone # was retained in the radio listing.
Small victories I guess.
Another note, it appears the TV, microwave, speakers, and radio came from: "Way Interglobal Network, LLC", https://www.wayinterglobal.com/
Cheers,
Cary
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06-14-2018, 07:16 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 3
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CaryL,
I also have a 2017 5230. Same issue with the indash radio. I am not even able to get to the screen on mine to change the clock from military time to standard. I have asked my dealer to contact Gulfstream for suggestions on operating the unit as well. I will continue to monitor this thread to see IF G.S. gives you any info on the unit. Thinking of changing unit also as Mark did, but not sure how to go about it. Suggestions Mark?
Thanks,
Kip
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06-18-2018, 05:39 PM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 12
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Hi Cary,
We went the same route, tried to find info on the radio with no luck so we ended up replacing it. We had it set so we are able to use the rear view mirror with the backup camera instead of the radio display. Also, we can see directly behind us at all times.
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06-19-2018, 10:34 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Hello Oxxer and Beachnut
Thank you so much for your responses!
I have not received the promised manual yet for the radio. I was hoping to provide some incite to everyone but nothing yet.
I too only have military time. Its amusing that there is an icon labeled "Date" which only sets the time in military not the date.
I like to do things myself and would like to know how easy it is to take the radio out. Anyone have any pointers?
We will be traveling in the Elkhart area next week so if possible I will swing by the Gulf Stream headquarters to see what information I might be able to get.
Cheers,
Cary
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06-19-2018, 12:50 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Mechanicsville, Md.
Posts: 487
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Camera Power Source
Hello all;
If you can get to the camera wiring (I had to peel off the Dicor and found a rubber stopper under it that made it kind of easy) then find the wire that is switching on and off with the backup lights. Reroute (re-connect) this wire to the running light that is closest and the camera will come on with the running lights and you can run with the parking lights on during the day. I just replaced my entire system.
Sudsy
__________________
2005 Sun Voyager Workhorse W24 with 8.1 ltr Chevy. Allison 2100 transmission. Full body paint.
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06-22-2018, 09:29 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Radio Manual
Here is a Gulf Stream radio manual for the one installed in a 2017 BT Cruiser. There was no notation of the manufacturer or model number.
It does accurately describe the radio installed.
Cary
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06-24-2018, 05:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Memphis
Posts: 754
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1) The radio ID MFR/ Model (probably) pops up on the screen during startup? 2) I have mine setup continuous; DOWNSIDE IS NO RADIO OR OTHER FUNCTIONS WHILE DRIVING w/ rear camera (which, while maybe not best, suits me for now), and until/ unless I decide to get a separate MONITOR. THERE ARE TWO WIRES from radio for VIDEO FUNCTIONS; one is connected to parking brake for GROUND to allow VIDEO INPUT displays (VCR/ DVR, etc) WHEN Parked; the (other) is a POWER wire from the BACKUP LIGHTS that turns ON CAMERA and auto switches Display to CAMERA automatically when you go into Reverse. (I have no other video inputs), so 1) camera plugged into VIDEO Input, and 2) Parking Brake WIRE is Grounded TO ACTIVATE Video Input without setting Parking Brake
__________________
THenne1713
2000 Conquest LE 6266, Class-C on 99-E450SD, 6.8, 2v, V-10
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06-24-2018, 05:04 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Memphis
Posts: 754
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re: radio removal, might be easier to check youtube? Ford models have one way to release, some others may have similar? Usually involves snapping out a small piece of radio trim to gain some access?
__________________
THenne1713
2000 Conquest LE 6266, Class-C on 99-E450SD, 6.8, 2v, V-10
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07-08-2018, 11:11 AM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 3
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My 2007 BT Cruiser has a monitor on the back of the drivers side sun visor and 4 buttons to turn the camera on or off etc. It also comes on when I put it in reverse and turns on a beep, beep etc.
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07-13-2018, 03:58 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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2017/2018 BT Cruiser Radio Specs
For anyone interested in the supplied radio, attached are photos of the top with manufacturer sticker, FC FDA, model S-8960. The wiring specs agree with the previously attached radio manual uploaded.
I could not find anything for "FC FDA" but it is interesting I found a KaiChuang Kc-101 radio that has the exact same face plate as the one installed in the BT Cruiser. The KaiChuang radio appears to be affiliated with BOSION Navigation.
The 20 wires from the plug/harness as well as the 10 separate RCA plugs behind the radio all had individual labels attached. One RCA plug was used for the back camera. I was able to attach cables to AV Out1, RR Out, and RL Out for connecting to a full size TV for future use.
To access the radio, I had to pry out the Ford black dashboard sub panel. I pulled it forward just 4-5 inches before hitting the steering wheel and the limit of all the attached wires. I was able to reach through the hole for the radio and unscrew the 4 screws that hold the radio to the metal frame underlying the dash. Then pulled the radio forward 3 inches to unscrew the 4 side screws that held the black plastic surround that was the adapter and bezel for mounting the radio to the Ford dash. Finally the radio would slide through the hole in the dash.
I am in no hurry to do that again!
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07-13-2018, 04:41 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Quick Change for Camera Control
Here is what I did to setup control of the backup camera by turning on the parking lights. In the end the back of the radio did not need to be accessed at all. I had to go through the exercise in order to trace the wiring. The actual change was just moving one power tap wire from the backup light to the parking light.
My 2017/2018 BT Cruiser supplied radio had two wires for rear camera operation. One yellow RCA plug out the back of the radio for receiving the video signal from the camera and one brown camera trigger wire in the 20 pin connector plug, in position B3. Both of these wires were run underneath the length of the coach to the passenger side rear brake light / backup light assembly. (the brown radio trigger wire was in turn spliced to a red wire to run the length of the coach).
The rear camera has two wires running to it, a red wire for powering the camera and a black cable for the video signal out.
The passenger side rear brake light / backup light assembly had a yellow wire tap from the backup light going to both the red power wire to the camera and the red trigger wire to the radio.
The only modification needed was to cut the yellow tap wire from the backup light. Then add an extension wire to tap to the green parking light wire that is going into the brake light and tie to the cut yellow wire that feeds both the camera power and the radio trigger wires.
First picture shows existing yellow tap wire coming from the backup light.
Second picture shows the existing yellow wire going to both the red power wire to the camera and the red trigger wire to the radio.
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07-14-2018, 07:46 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 557
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Looks like you could do the same thing but use a switch and 12 volt power source to turn the camera on and off whenever you wanted using your new switch. That way the camera is totally independent of the light circuit. The rear camera on my 1999 is on any time the ignition is on.
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07-15-2018, 08:52 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wellington
Posts: 54
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Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. It really helped going forward with this.
Restorium; yes, now that I know where the wires run, it would be easy to tap into the camera trigger wire where it runs down the lower side panel to the left of the cab, just forward of the driver's door. (the parking brake release handle comes out of this panel in the E-350). From that tap a line would go to a new power switch. The tap would feed the radio trigger wire as well as the camera power wire since that wire still runs the length of the coach back to the camera. The existing tap to the brake light assembly would have to be cut of course.
For now I am going to see how I like it working from the parking light switch.
thanks again!
Cary
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01-18-2024, 07:30 PM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: Westerville, Ohio
Posts: 14
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Great information. I know what I'll be doing when it warms up. Thanks, Would you happen to have an idea how i could hook the DVD function on the radio to the TV up top in the bunk?
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