Install Recommendations

Installing equipment on a vehicle should be done with utmost care while following a planned deployment process. For larger fleets and complex applications, Pro-Vision recommends our managed installation service to ensure accuracy and standardization across all vehicles. 

This article outlines general procedure recommendations for the pre-installation, installation, and post-installation of Pro-Vision equipment on a vehicle. 
 

Pre-Installation 

Planning

1. Determine which devices are being installed. 
   • What areas are to be recorded? What cameras would be most suitable for the area? Are the camera images being recorded and/or displayed in the vehicle cabin? Is a wireless solution needed? Should an object detection system be added? 
2. Determine which tools will be required. 
   • This could include a drill, hole saw, heat gun, camera view tester, and similar tools. 

Vehicle Checks

1. Prepare the vehicle for work. 
   • This may involve chocking the wheels, tagging the vehicle, gathering the necessary tools, etc. 
2. Test and note the proper operation of each vehicle system and feature. 
   • This is to ensure nothing is damaged during installation and to establish a baseline for troubleshooting. 
   • Test the vehicle's start-up/shut-off, lights, wipers, horn, heat/AC, and any vehicle-specific features. 
   • Document any warning lights on the dashboard and any damage to the vehicle's systems, body, or interior. 

Install Preparation

1. Determine the mounting location for each product, taking into account its specific requirements and limitations. 
   • Extension limitations for cameras, pairing range for wireless devices, water resistance of devices mounted at the vehicle's exterior, power or trigger connections for monitors, DVRs, and object detection systems, etc. 
2. Determine the cable and wire connection points and routing paths for each component.
   • Where are power and ground connections being made? These connections are crucial for the system's proper operation– learn more. 
3. Determine the mounting type for each product. 
   • Monitors and cameras, especially, offer several mounting options to ensure a compatible solution for every vehicle type and user need. 

Disassembly

To install the systems correctly, sections of the vehicle may need to be disassembled. This process should be done carefully, and any removed hardware (screws, fasteners, bolts, etc.) must be reinstalled—if four (4) screws are removed, four (4) screws must be replaced. Taking photographs of the disassembly process will aid in reassembly.
 

Installation

While this article first lists mounting, then wiring, whether a device should be wired or mounted first depends entirely on the type of device, the systems being installed, and the selected mounting location. Consider which devices need to be accessible to an operator, require connection to the same power source, and connections to other devices. 

Examples:

• The Ranger DVR must be accessible to an operator after installation, allowing them to view its status lights and, if necessary, remove its memory storage. It must also be connected to power, ground, trigger signals, and installed cameras. This device is typically connected after being mounted. 
• A Multiplexer, once connected and configured, does not need to be accessible. It must be connected to power, ground, and the vehicle's cameras. This device is typically mounted after its connections are made.  

Mounting Devices

Some general recommendations on mounting Pro-Vision devices in a vehicle:

1. Do not, for any reason, mount any device where it may obstruct or interfere with the vehicle's safe operation. 
   • Do not route over airbags or obstruct the driver's view, steering wheel, gear shift, pedals, hitch receivers, etc. 
2. The typical order for mounting devices begins with installing cameras and/or object detection systems at the vehicle's exterior, followed by the monitors, DVR, or other interior devices. 
   • This is because the exterior devices need to be routed and connected to the interior devices. 
3. Follow the mounting and wiring instructions for each device whenever available. 
4. Before mounting any device, always check the area around and behind the selected location to ensure there is sufficient clearance for the device and its cabling. 
5. Any hole made from the vehicle's exterior to its interior should be fully sealed, preferably using silicone. 
6. When installing cameras, check their captured view by temporarily connecting them to a monitor or camera view tester before mounting. 
7. GPS, EVT, Wi-Fi antennas, or any peripheral equipment that requires adhesive mounting must follow proper surface preparation methods.

Wiring

Whenever possible, refer to the device-specific instructions to ensure accurate installation and operation. 

Use a digital multimeter to verify that the selected wire has the desired current only when expected. Perform this test while the motor is running; some circuits will behave differently at accessory and full motor power.

1. Power Connections
   • Devices that require power may differ in the type of power source needed for proper operation. The signal type may be a battery, auxiliary, or vehicle ignition power source. If multiple devices require the same type of power, they should be connected to the same source.
   • Poor connections or incorrect voltage/current can cause improper system operation. Regardless of the type of connection, the required voltage is +12 Vdc to +24 Vdc. 
   • The device's fuse holder must be installed, and should be as close to the power source as possible; all devices that require a direct power connection will include one. Failure to install the fuse holder can result in damage to the vehicle or device. 
   • Do not install devices on circuits that power an electric motor or other vehicle system, as this could generate interference. 
2. Ground Connections
   • A device's ground connection should be made directly to a clean grounding stud/screw or a negative terminal. 
   • If multiple devices require a ground, they should be connected to the same ground. Poor ground connections can lead to improper system operation. 
3. Trigger Connections
   • Trigger connections enable a vehicle signal to automatically prompt a device. For example: 
     • Connecting a reverse trigger wire to a monitor will enable the vehicle to prompt the rear camera to display when the vehicle is in reverse gear. 
     • Connecting turn signal wires to a Side Radar will allow the radar to audibly warn a driver if they are signaling a turn and a vehicle (or obstruction) is present in their blind spot. 
   • Locate the signal wires that provide voltage only when the desired signal is activated and connect them to the trigger wires of the monitor, DVR, and/or object detection system.
   • If multiple devices require trigger signal connections, they should be connected to the same signal wire.  

Connections & Routing

1. Ensure that camera A/V extensions do not exceed the 30 m extension limit. 
2. Camera extension cables should be labeled to signify the camera they are connected to.
   • This will ensure accurate cable routing and connections and facilitate camera troubleshooting. 
3. Cabling and wiring should be securely fastened to the OEM wiring or the vehicle body. 
4. When routing cables and wiring, follow OEM paths whenever possible and secure the routed cables or wires to the vehicle body/cabling.
   • Vehicle articulation and pivoting points must be considered when running all the wiring.
   • Do not allow cabling to be pinched or crushed by any paneling.
5. Any wiring or cables running from the vehicle's exterior to the interior must pass through an appropriate hole and grommet.
    

Post-Installation

Configuration

Object Detection Systems and Monitors should be configured to best fit the operator's needs. 
DVRs must be configured after their installation to operate as expected.  

Refer to device-specific instructions to configure the installed devices. 

Testing 

Run through each device to ensure the installation was accurate and the systems will function as expected before reassembling the vehicle. This is to allow easy access to any device or connection that may need to be changed. 

Refer to device-specific instructions to ensure each device is tested thoroughly. 

Reassembly

Verify that all installed equipment is securely fastened and that all wires and cables are correctly routed and secured. Any section of the vehicle that was disassembled must be fully reassembled—if four (4) screws are removed, four (4) screws must be replaced. This must be done with care to avoid damage, including stripping or cross-threading screws or bolts. 

Vehicle Checks

Test and verify the proper operation of each vehicle system and feature, ensuring that no damage occurred during installation. This includes verifying the vehicle's start-up/shut-off, lights, wipers, horn, heat/AC, and any other vehicle-specific features. 
 

Related Articles

• Cameras Overview 
• Monitors Overview 
• Object Detection Systems 
• Recording Systems