Duetto reversing sensors

by Blossom Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:03 pm

Good evening all
I am thinking of fitting some reversing sensors on Doris Duetto. I am sure someone on The Forum must have done this but I haven't been able to find any info. In particular, I am not sure where the best place to fit them would be. I guess it would have to be the bumper, but being metal I wonder if this presents any problem.
Any advice gratefully received.
Regards
Brad

by boxerman Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:00 pm

Got them on the Symphony, a good kit should come with a hole saw to fit the sensors in your bumper.
I fitted them because the washroom causes a big blind spot through the back doors (your Duetto is the same) and I have this fear of running over a child when reversing out of our back garden. (High hedge at one side, high fence at the other).
Wouldn't be without them.

Frank

by mikethebike Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:30 pm

Mine came fitted ,but the makers are not current. It certainly helps,but the back step is in the safety zone.
its always best to get a partner or anyone to help with reversing.
I always try to reduce the risk by parking where i can drive straight out. Remember if you cannot see my mirrors i cannot see you, on many lorries. boo

Mike

by andygump Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:04 am

Blossom wrote:Good evening all
I am thinking of fitting some reversing sensors on Doris Duetto. I am sure someone on The Forum must have done this but I haven't been able to find any info. In particular, I am not sure where the best place to fit them would be. I guess it would have to be the bumper, but being metal I wonder if this presents any problem.
Any advice gratefully received.
Regards
Brad

hi.

Hi.

I have fitted them to my last three vans, Trident, Duetto, and executive plus my cars and for a couple of our elderly neighbours.

Would not be without them, one of the best Mods I have every fitted to any of my many vehicles over the years

I buy them on EBay and never paid more than £25 all came with hole cutters. Go for it.

Andy up!

by Blossom Sun Dec 02, 2012 12:41 pm

Thanks for your replies. I have ordered a set of wireless sensors form ebay. Will let you know how I get on with them.
Brad

by Guest Sun Dec 02, 2012 2:54 pm

Hi,

I have a set of reversing sensors which I have yet to fit to my Symphony. I plan to fit the 4 sensors into the rear bumper. As this is above and behind the rear step, would the step interfere with the sensing? Would it give a false reading that there is something (the step) in front of the sensor? Or am I just being thick? scratch head

Any observations or ideas? up!

Regards,

Mike D

by mikethebike Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:04 pm

No the sensor will work OK. However the step is not where it is reading from.You will always be closer to an obstacle by the depth of the step. You will have to remember this.
regards
Mike

by Guest Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:09 pm

mikethebike wrote:No the sensor will work OK. However the step is not where it is reading from.You will always be closer to an obstacle by the depth of the step. You will have to remember this.
regards
Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info, looks like this will be my next job when the weather gets warmer and/or drier!

Cheers. up!

Mike D

by -mojo- Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:41 pm

1b449 wrote:I plan to fit the 4 sensors into the rear bumper. As this is above and behind the rear step, would the step interfere with the sensing? Would it give a false reading that there is something (the step) in front of the sensor?

I'm not sure why mikethebike thinks that the sensor will somehow be able to distinguish between the step and anything else behind the vehicle. I would have thought that you would get a constant signal that the step is there myself. VW advise that their rear sensors will not work properly with a towbar fitted, and this does not seem to be significantly different than that.

by mikethebike Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:56 pm

-mojo- wrote:
1b449 wrote:I plan to fit the 4 sensors into the rear bumper. As this is above and behind the rear step, would the step interfere with the sensing? Would it give a false reading that there is something (the step) in front of the sensor?

I'm not sure why mikethebike thinks that the sensor will somehow be able to distinguish between the step and anything else behind the vehicle. I would have thought that you would get a constant signal that the step is there myself. VW advise that their rear sensors will not work properly with a towbar fitted, and this does not seem to be significantly different than that.

Well thats how my sensors work.Its a narrow beam. Hence if you have an obstacle in your path below the beam it will not see it. i have done that with a car and hit a small post.!!
When i am a distance from my garage and select reverse the system starts a countdown with lights. Nothing shows about the step as it is fixed to the Motorhome and the beam is above it.Would be a waste of time if it showed the step about to hit the van all the time.!
I hope i have explained this OK ?
regards
Mike Duetto reversing sensors 997513

by -mojo- Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:04 pm

Ah yes, Ok. So some assumptions are being made about the size and position of the step and the width of the beam.

It seems likely that if you can keep the two inner sensors well enough out from the ends of the step it probably won't be a problem - though the sensors probably then won't pick up something like a post if it happens to be right at the centre of the rear of the van...

by Guest Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:22 pm

Hi again,

Thanks for the feedback. Next time I get a suitably dry day (lol) I will temporarily tape the sensors to the 'van before I drill any holes and test the operation, I tend to go along with mikes' comment, as his appear to work. I suspect the sensors do have a narrow beam as I too have tapped a bollard reversing my old motor which had factory fitted sensors. (car 1- bollard 0)

Mike D

by andygump Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:32 pm

-mojo- wrote:Ah yes, Ok. So some assumptions are being made about the size and position of the step and the width of the beam.

It seems likely that if you can keep the two inner sensors well enough out from the ends of the step it probably won't be a problem - though the sensors probably then won't pick up something like a post if it happens to be right at the centre of the rear of the van...

Hi I had a tow bar on my Duetto and Picasso no effect on the sensors whatsoever. I just spread the sensors evenly across the bumpers width and I think about 20ins from the floor on the Picasso can't say about the van as its in storage, but I would think its above centre on the bumper for the van,

Andy up!

by cyclops2 Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:53 pm

My sensors were fitted by the dealer but originally just two, one at either end of the bumper. I said I wanted 2 in the middle and was told they would have to be mounted on small brackets on the step. So thats what happened. The ones on the step are very close to the ground so need a bit of adjustment ie. bending the brackets. I eventually also went for belt and braces and fitted a camera

Pete

by murph Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:02 pm

Hi All,
Have a look at the photos in my post from back in May under the title reversing sensors, this shows the shape of the beam from these things and a possible alternative method of fitting. It depends thier position and angle of them as to whether they will pick up obstructions mounted on the van.
You could fit 2 near the ends of the bumper and 2 on the step these last angled slightly upwards.

Brian2

by gj1023 Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:32 pm

1b449 wrote:Hi,

I have a set of reversing sensors which I have yet to fit to my Symphony. I plan to fit the 4 sensors into the rear bumper. As this is above and behind the rear step, would the step interfere with the sensing? Would it give a false reading that there is something (the step) in front of the sensor? Or am I just being thick?

Any observations or ideas?

Regards,

Mike D

Hi Mike I fitted sensors to my symbol with a rear step. After reading threads about fitting them , I Fitted them to the rear step , I used only 3. I drilled 3 holes in the step and bolted them to the under side of it, using hinged pipe clips. I ran the wires under the step and through the left back door. Attached to the black box . The beeper unit I fitted to above the TV flip down cupboard and ran out the side door and under the van to the black box.
I have loads of pipe clips if you need them ,lol jst ask

Gary

by Guest Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:21 pm

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

Thanks Gary, I think I'll take up your idea and mount the sensors under the step as you suggested. I know the pipe brackets you mean, I think they are what we used to call 'munsen rings' in the trade, brass so they should last a while. Diameter 1" (25mm)

Again, thanks to all. up!

Mike D

by gj1023 Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:37 pm

These are the ones I bought Mike, just make sure you get the right size to fit your sensor

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I will take a picture of them fitted tomorrow and post on here

Gary

by Guest Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:57 pm

gj1023 wrote:These are the ones I bought Mike, just make sure you get the right size to fit your sensor

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I will take a picture of them fitted tomorrow and post on here

Gary

Thanks Gary, even better than I had in mind. Look forward to pics.

Mike D

by kernow jon Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:16 am

Why not consider a camera? Price wise they are not a great deal more expensive. The one I have at present is mounted high, centrally above the doors and looks down. So I have the outer edge of the step at the edge of the picture I can see about 15 feet behind. If it had been mounted low down, say the number plate light it would have been dual purpose doubling up as a rear view mirror. - the camera is wide angle 120 degrees.

Jon

by gj1023 Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:15 am

,

Hi Mike these are the pictures of my sensors, you have to drill 3 small holes into the steps, making sure they clear the underneath part of the step, (about 2 inchs from edge) The clip are bolted up from the underneath using a lock nut . the sensor then is pushed in the clip and snapped shut.. My sensors were from Maplins and 22.5 mm in size, so you need the get the right size clip. The wires go into the left side to the box , I got a live off the left side reversing light. I ran the wire underneath to the side door and into beeping unit . When I reverse slowly I look in the mirror and when the unit says P I stop , it leaves me about a foot give or take 6 inchs from an object. If you need the clips nuts and bolts , just say and I can send you some , as have lots left.

Gary

PS you have to right click picture and "open in new tab/window" to view them , no idea how I did that, lol

by gj1023 Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:35 am

kernow jon wrote:Why not consider a camera? Price wise they are not a great deal more expensive. The one I have at present is mounted high, centrally above the doors and looks down. So I have the outer edge of the step at the edge of the picture I can see about 15 feet behind. If it had been mounted low down, say the number plate light it would have been dual purpose doubling up as a rear view mirror. - the camera is wide angle 120 degrees.

Jon

Myself I did consider them and they are the best thing to have. But as a cheap and easy option the sensors are better than nothing. They only cost £20 from Maplins.

Gary

by kernow jon Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:15 pm

Just take a look at this kit.
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I am a cash strapped pensioner with a 25 year old van. But decent rear vision is worth a bomb. Just an hour ago reversing out of a Tesco's parking bay 2 people walked into my path - I am not sure the sensors would have done as good a job.
Jon

by Guest Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:28 pm

gj1023 wrote:
,

Hi Mike these are the pictures of my sensors, you have to drill 3 small holes into the steps, making sure they clear the underneath part of the step, (about 2 inchs from edge) The clip are bolted up from the underneath using a lock nut . the sensor then is pushed in the clip and snapped shut.. My sensors were from Maplins and 22.5 mm in size, so you need the get the right size clip. The wires go into the left side to the box , I got a live off the left side reversing light. I ran the wire underneath to the side door and into beeping unit . When I reverse slowly I look in the mirror and when the unit says P I stop , it leaves me about a foot give or take 6 inchs from an object. If you need the clips nuts and bolts , just say and I can send you some , as have lots left.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the reply, can't seem to open the pictures, but I get the gist of your fitting instructions.

I would be interested in reliving you of some of your spare 'fittings'. If OK with you I will PM you my personal email address and we can arrange a meet up or something as you are literally 'down the road' in T.W.

Look out for 'You have a new message' at top of ASOF home page.

Cheers,

Mike D

Gary

PS you have to right click picture and "open in new tab/window" to view them , no idea how I did that, lol