3D printable bolt-on reverse camera & light pod bracket for 3rd brake light

[dank8307]

I got sick of staring at the spare tire in my rear view mirror. The factory reverse camera is adequate for reversing, but for scanning the traffic for, say, prior to a lane change using the rear view mirror was... Let's just say it didn't really happen.

So I got one of those digital rear view mirror camera things. Hilariously, trying to mount it inside wasn't very ideal for me because the spare tire was still in the way, consuming bottom of the screen. I ended up doing some CAD work to create a case for the camera that I could adhere it to the top of the CHMSL using some VHB tape.

And then I realized I can just design something that bolts around the CHMSL to hold the camera.

And then I realized I can make it modular to fit other stuff, including LED light pods.

And then I realized I can make variations of the faceplate for different designs.

The rabbit hole was deep, but I finally got around to releasing the design. It's printed using ASA, so UV exposure isn't a factor. I have the one with the camera mount and two LED light pods, and it's been rock solid for the past two months, be it on the highway or hitting every pothole imaginable.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2788561-jl-wrangler-third-brake-light-led-pod-camera-mount

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[AZpueblo]

This is cool! Thanks for designing these! I've got a Bambu Labs P2S and I use it extensively. Definitely going to print this.

 

[Joatmon]

I got sick of staring at the spare tire in my rear view mirror. The factory reverse camera is adequate for reversing, but for scanning the traffic for, say, prior to a lane change using the rear view mirror was... Let's just say it didn't really happen.

So I got one of those digital rear view mirror camera things. Hilariously, trying to mount it inside wasn't very ideal for me because the spare tire was still in the way, consuming bottom of the screen. I ended up doing some CAD work to create a case for the camera that I could adhere it to the top of the CHMSL using some VHB tape.

And then I realized I can just design something that bolts around the CHMSL to hold the camera.

And then I realized I can make it modular to fit other stuff, including LED light pods.

And then I realized I can make variations of the faceplate for different designs.

The rabbit hole was deep, but I finally got around to releasing the design. It's printed using ASA, so UV exposure isn't a factor. I have the one with the camera mount and two LED light pods, and it's been rock solid for the past two months, be it on the highway or hitting every pothole imaginable.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2788561-jl-wrangler-third-brake-light-led-pod-camera-mount

That's good work and I'm glad it's working for you. For me, when I attached mine there with tape, the jitter annoyed me so bad I moved it down to attach to the backup camera. I get no jitter there, next move is to do the cad work / 3d print a clamping mount and get rid of my 3M tape.

 

[Htfan]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this!

 

[dank8307]

That's good work and I'm glad it's working for you. For me, when I attached mine there with tape, the jitter annoyed me so bad I moved it down to attach to the backup camera. I get no jitter there, next move is to do the cad work / 3d print a clamping mount and get rid of my 3M tape.

Personally, I can deal with the screen shaking whenever I hit bumps. It's not bad, and it lasts only for a second before the image stabilizes. I'm more annoyed at the image getting washed out by the night time glare from the headlights of the vehicles behind me, and mounting it high avoids that issue. The factory reverse camera is rather inconveniently positioned, so putting the camera there just ends up in the rear view mirror being washed out at night if there's a vehicle behind me, and even the latest STARVIS sensor can only do so much to reduce that.

 

[smitty-04]

Nice work!

What material did you use?

If you have trouble with UV eating it up over time you could try your hand at sheet metal design and send it here.

Send-Cut-Send

They will laser it out, bend, and powder coat.

I use them all the time at work for small quantity stuff.

Top notch service and quality.

 

[dank8307]

Nice work!

What material did you use?

If you have trouble with UV eating it up over time you could try your hand at sheet metal design and send it here.

Send-Cut-Send

They will laser it out, bend, and powder coat.

I use them all the time at work for small quantity stuff.

Top notch service and quality.

I used Polymaker ASA with thick walls and generous infill. The parts seem to be doing rather well. The camera module in particular which I personally use (the chunky one) has been through constant exposure for over a year through all four seasons, and it's been holding very well. The design is a little overengineered, but I'd rather it be that way than it falling apart in middle of the trail.

And thanks for mentioning that business. I might actually give them a try with prototyping the Rotopax anti-tamper device I also designed. The current iterations use ASA with thick walls and generous infill, as well, but going with stainless steel will undoubtedly be more secure.

 

[smitty-04]

ASA is a common choice for 3D printed parts for outdoor use.

 

[dank8307]

Someone in Latvia managed to make this thing fit on the Teraflex license plate relocation kit. I was definitely not expecting that.

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