Rain on rear view camera

[Canuck]

I agree a "hiding" camera doesn't help - I use it all the time. And blowing air wouldn't do much for dried-on gunk or ice. A fine stream of windshield-washer fluid or some other fluid that tends to bead and fall off would actually be the best. You can't do much about the rain while it's raining, but a washer would keep the lens clean so it would be usable again as soon as it dries.

Good idea. A stream of washer fluid followed by a burst of air should do the trick. Even with snow or ice, if the washer fluid is -45C rated, like we use up here, it will be softened and loosened enough to be blown off by the air. I have no doubt that Tesla is working on something like this for its AP2.0 cameras.

 

[EV-lutioin]

Seriously, though. Nissan's got the right idea. Skip to 30 seconds.

Seriously, though. Nissan's got the right idea. Skip to 30 seconds.

I am not so sure this would work, it looks like they are just putting more drops and bubbles on the lens. I am not sure I trust the video of it working as it is still looks blurry and it does not seem to correlate to the video of their system covering the lens with water and bubbles. And I agree it is a step in the right direction.

 

[supratachophobia]

Still a major problem on ap2. I prefer to run my rear camera all the time and when it rains it looks like below. The bigger concern is you see the same screen while backing up in the rain (with a mini rear view mirror and slim rear hatchback window). It doesn't always feel entirely safe especially when backing out of the driveway.

Do not have this issue in our other car where the camera is tucked underneath the rear door handle as well. The MX camera does appear to stick out more. Maybe this is necessary for the wide rear view.

Makes you wonder how AP2.0's rear camera will do without wipers on it....

 

[EV-lutioin]

Here is my modification... a little roof for the camera, with a drip edge. So fun to hack a $100K+ car with plastic and electrical tape

 

[cgiGuy]

Here is my modification... a little roof for the camera, with a drip edge. So fun to hack a $100K+ car with plastic and electrical tape

Does it help?

 

[EV-lutioin]

Does it help?

Yes, it works great... for less than $.01

 

[EarlyAdopter]

I used RainX and got a couple of beads on the lens rather than a smear and it REALLY messed up the view. I wonder if there might be an easy way to direct some airflow across the lens to blow off beaded water.

I've found Aquapel to work way better than RainX and have been putting it on my rear cameras for over 4 years. It really helps here in rainy Seattle.

 

[Knightowl]

Yes, it works great... for less than $.01 View attachment 207657 View attachment 207658

Looks like it works when parked but does it work when driving?

 

[EV-lutioin]

Looks like it works when parked but does it work when driving?

There is still some fine mist that swirls around when during driving that ends up on the lens, but my main concern was addressing the giant droplets that obscure the entire lens. The little droplets are a bit annoying, but I can still see fairly well when they are on the lens. I can't really think of a way to prevent mist will driving.... will have to think on that one a bit!

 

[josher32]

What did you use for the plastic piece? Great idea!

 

[⚡️ELECTROMAN⚡️]

Yes, it works great... for less than $.01 View attachment 207657 View attachment 207658

I think I will try the Aquapel first.

 

[EV-lutioin]

What did you use for the plastic piece? Great idea!

I just cut out a piece of clear plastic from some packaging. It's that annoying stuff you have to risk your life cutting into with a utility knife just so you can get at the thing sealed inside...

 

[outie]

Aka frustration packages.

 

[ptsagcy]

I agree that Rain-X does not help.

 

[Mobius484]

the cameras on rally cars and race cars have that rotating lens.... driving on snowy roads, and road crud spray is not going to go away with compressed air. need mechanical wiper mechanism or blinking mechanism for optics. I am sure they will figure this out if it becomes essential to full autonomy.

 

[Trnsl8r]

It's not rocket science. This video is 3 years old. I think all VW's have this now.

Yeah, but when (if) Full Self Driving becomes a thing that camera will be in constant use, if it isn't with EAP already.

 

[FlatSix911]

Genius

View attachment 165172+View attachment 165173+View attachment 165174

I'm selling this aftermarket fix for $149. PM if interested.

Back up camera unusable in rain

 

[nrechtman]

Has anyone solved the problem of obscured vision when there is rain on the rear view camera?
View attachment 196752

I remember seeing a snap on 3D printed hood for the camera, but can’t find it again

 

[Blastphemy]

Good idea. A stream of washer fluid followed by a burst of air should do the trick. Even with snow or ice, if the washer fluid is -45C rated, like we use up here, it will be softened and loosened enough to be blown off by the air.

Cadillacs have this feature (at least the CT6 does) and it works perfectly.