What I describe here will be following the order of the pictures.

1) First youll need a camera, I based the design on a common camera than can be bought in a wireless kit for about 20. Youll also need a screen if your kit didnt come with one, but I had one spare. Im assuming youll be OK to connect this. Below are a few links, with examples with the camera and wireless kit, for reference, I dont sell these, these are just a few examples of the same type.

Camera: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170-CCD-Car-Front-Side-Camera-Vehicle-HD-Color-Waterproof-Reverse-Camera-Kit-/271359072528?hash=item3f2e42d910

Wireless kit:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-Kit-170-CCD-Car-Front-Side-Camera-HD-Color-Waterproof-Reverse-Camera-/271691370299?hash=item3f42114f3b

Screen (you may also wish to attach a car 12V connector to plug it in with): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Inch-TFT-LCD-Color-Car-Rearview-Monitor-Reversing-CCTV-Camera-DVD-IR-/171607199510?hash=item27f4960f16

2) Download the .STL file. I printed on the Hobbyking Fabrikator on 0.2mm layer with 10% infill using Craftware 1.11 beta with blue 1.75mm PLA filament , and it printed well. I suggest printing in the stock orientation, i.e. with one of the arms at the bottom, and this provides the best strength for the part (due to layer direction).

3) I found the best support settings for craftware to be as shown in image 3. If youre using other software then your mileage may vary. Printing takes about an hour for me, so you may want to look at further steps to prepare.

4&5) Protect the Leaf with some sticky tape, as whatever material you print with can easily scratch the car.

6) Once the print is finished remove all the support materials using pliers or a knife. Insert the cameras cable through the hole at the back of the mount and then slide it into the mount, it should be a tight friction fit. Thread the cable through the hole at the front and push the wire into the groove.

7-9) Test fit the mount on the Leaf, if it doesnt fit flush, like 9) then you may need to adjust the cable in the groove.

10) I would suggest routing the cable as shown, securing with cable ties, it will not catch on anything, or be in the way.

11-13) Internal wire routing to main 12V battery, be careful to observe polarity when connecting to 12V battery, red to positive, black to negative. I added a switch to allow the camera to be switched off if the car is being left for long periods of time (weeks) although for short periods it doesnt matter as the Leaf keeps the 12V battery charged.

14) By this stage Im assuming it all fits and the camera works. If so, open the charge port and  connect up your screen. angle the camera so with the charge port open you can just see the number plate (white line) I find this a very good reference point for the front of the car. Once youve adjusted it and tightened the screw on the camera to secure it at that angle, close the charge port lid, and you should get a view with about  bumper and  road. The idea is that for normal parking it will work fine, but for very close parking you can open the charge port cover and voila, an even better reference point!

15) A few prototypes during development :)


I hope this works well for you, if you have any problems, please leave a comment, and Ill try to assist. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading all this, in the works is a mount for the screen in the car, and other camera possibilities
