Hidden Fiddle Yard Monitoring

[cbrailways]

Has anybody ever used a CCTV system to monitor the sidings hidden from sight in a fiddle yard?

 

[Mike Garwood]

We use CCTV to operate the layout. Especially for uncoupling points. A small six inch monitor is all that's required at the back of the layout. The layout is Abergavenny Black Brook.

Newport Model Railway Society

Mike

 

[cbrailways]

Hi Mike. Thanks for that. Do you any further details of the CCTV setup (camera type etc)?

 

[Allen M]

I don't but have see the cheap baby alarms used successfully.
Regards
Allen Morgan

 

[Mike Garwood]

Thanks for that. Do you any further details of the CCTV setup (camera type etc)?

I'll get back to you, once I've found out.

Mike

 

[Mike Garwood]

Hi
These are them, off that well known auction site :

4.3" LCD Monitor + Reversing Camera 170°Car Rear View Kit For Car Bus Truck | eBay

Hope you find this useful, they were ALOT cheaper when we bought them.

Stay safe

Mike

 

[cbrailways]

Hi Mike. Thanks very much for searching that out for me. Very cheap price as well. I'll purchase one and try it out.

 

[Phil O]

I bought a couple of reversing cameras from Ebay for uncoupling, but I have yet to install them.

 

[cbrailways]

Camera and monitor arrived this evening. I'll set it up tomorrow and advise how it looks.

 

[cbrailways]

The kit didn't include an video lead nor 12v power supply so another order going in tomorrow.

Note to Self: Remember to check the spec first when buying something electrical.

 

[Tim Hale]

chris,

What did you buy? Was it the reversing monitor as mentioned above?

thanks

 

[cbrailways]

chris,

What did you buy? Was it the reversing monitor as mentioned above?

thanks

Yes, as suggested by Mike and Phil above, its a cheap(ish) car reversing camera and LCD monitor kit. I bought mine from AMAZON. Of course the power supply is normally the car battery (Lesson No.1) and I needed to have the monitor further away from the camera than in a standard car length (Lesson No.2). It came with a wireless connection kit, so I might try that out later, but that requires more power supply connections and I really want to keep the system simple if I can. Once I have assembled all the parts, hopefully in the next two days, I'll post some photographs of the setup.

 

[Boyblunder]

I bought the eBay model highlighted by Mike at £17. It was delivered very quickly, came with leads and I have lots of 12v supplies so it would have been a bargain. Unfortunately it doesn't work, absolutely no sign of life so I'm now waiting for a refund. Note to self: must stop buying electrical things, they seem to be allergic to me.

 

[cbrailways]

Well! After a lot of trial and error I couldn't get the system to work (camera seemed to be working but no picture on the LCD monitor), and after contacting AMAZON technical support, we both concluded that the LCD monitor was defective. Everything being returned for a full refund. Time for a rethink.

 

[Tim Hale]

A chance online browse found an idea of using an old smartphone, the only requirement is that the camera and wifi function still work. Download the ‘Alfred Camera’ app* and the iPhone will function just like a baby monitor and wirelessly connect with your iPhone, iPad or laptop. I used a cheapo car phone mount attached to the shed wall to hold the iPhone and recharge it after each session.

*other apps are available

 

[cbrailways]

Thanks for that idea.

By the way, it would be nice to know your first name at least.

 

[simond]

Interesting app.

I don’t suppose the spooks in China or Russia (or Cheltenham) will be much interested in fiddle yard shunting, but I do wonder how secure these apps are.

Atb
Simon