Rear cam vs. License Plate Lights

[BHunted]

Searched all over forum to find an answer and really barely found a mention.

What have you folks done to help obscure or whatever, to keep the license plate lights from washing out the camera while backing up at night? Really even more a headache when raining or frosty.

Cannot believe Ford didn’t think about this. Never had is prob with other vehicles I had over the years.

I tried tinting half of the lens, no good.

Thoughts? Much appreciated...

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[FULLSCALE]

I never really noticed it until the last few days but I see what you mean. This is my first vehicle with a backup camera so I don’t really seem to use it much yet but it’d be nice if someone came up with a fix!

 

[Sandman Ranger]

A small shield ring around camera might help. Short tube design maybe 5-10mm long. 3M taped on.

3D printer guys?

External camera a bad design.
One company stores camera and deploys it when needed. Keeps it clean.

 

[BHunted]

Please no bickering gang... Anyway, its not just a dirty or cloudy from moisture thing because when it's not, the light glare is terrible too. (Daytime it's fine). It's really dark around these parts. I put 2 cube off road lights off back but the distance from the license plate lights to the camera is in its path.Only other thing rather is black tape or tint. Like a lower eyelid. Shame we cannot just adjust it but it's fixed in the plastic bezel.

 

[HenryMac]

I guess I'm just old and set in my ways. I use the rear view mirrors.

 

[BHunted]

I guess I'm just old and set in my ways. I use the rear view mirrors.

I normally do too. But as mentioned, it's real dark around here. Hence, installed cube lights to add more light.. Still need to wire them. Maybe today.

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

I guess I'm just old and set in my ways. I use the rear view mirrors.

The blinding light into the camera is also distracting at night when I'm trying to use my mirrors. I love the camera for lining up into a spot or backing up for loading the bed but it's useless AND a nuisance at night, especially when it's wet. It's definitely an issue that I would like to see a good fix for.

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

Ok so I just walked out to the truck to do some R&D. It looks like it only needs about 1-1/2" of overhang above the license plate lights to eliminate the glare on the camera. The lights are recessed but not enough to totally block the light. And extra "hood" that hangs over the light would probably fix the camera issue while retaining proper illumination of the plate.

Now I just need to figure out how to keep the lens dry in Washington State from October to May.

 

[chasvs]

I guess I'm just old and set in my ways. I use the rear view mirrors.

How well can you see what behind your truck from this mirrors? This isn't a case of one better than the other, they BOTH provide information to the driver.

 

[HenryMac]

How well can you see what behind your truck from this mirrors? T

Pretty well.. it's worked for me since 1977. Folks today rely to much on technology. Only time I use the backup camera is when hooking up a trailer.

 

[BHunted]

Ya'll not seeing my one point... it's freaking dark around here and without enough light, ya can't see squat....
This thread is not about mirrors. It's about fixing an existing problem. No chest pounding needed.

I'm not some young guy that relies on technology without good reason. I too come from a world where there was no power anything.
Muscle steering and the like.
Can we please stay on point?
I started a separate thread just for this.
Happy with just your mirrors? Good....

 

[VAMike]

Ignoring the camera to use the mirrors seems like a victory for ego over common sense.

 

[PNW_Ranger87]

Ignoring the camera to use the mirrors seems like a victory for ego over common sense.

It would be nice if that was possible since it looks like you're doing about light-year speed in the Millennium Falcon on the brightest setting available. I can hardly see the passenger side mirror thanks to the ultra mega bright completely useless screen.

 

[BHunted]

My effing driveway, ok? It's a long driveway, ok? It's fooking dark, ok? Worse when wet, ok?
YTF must I justify myself to you wise arses? If none of you have a solution, then go elsewhere. I didn't post this to have imbeciles smart mouth and bust balls... I learn here quite a bit and I try offer solutions and help when I can.... How about leaving the bullsh*t out of it!

 

[dmeyer302]

Ok back on topic here. I haven't really noticed this to be a problem, but if I was set on fixing it, I would use a relay to turn the license plate lights off when the backup lights came on. I don't know if the backup lights are CAN but you should be able to pick up a reverse light signal on the trailer plug.

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