posted
Never installed a security system before, and want to get an idea of how hard it is, what is involved, etc. How much can I save doing this, is it worth it, etc. I am not a master installer, but have installed about 15-20 systems over the past few years.
From most of the comments, I am assuming the biggest advantage is in the creativity area. Correct?
------------------ RF Bass 225.2 DVC 15
Posts: 185 | From: Dijon, France | Registered: Jun 1999
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well most of the problems come into play when you start working on newer vehicals....but all in all security systems are not all that hard to do....the biggest overlooked thing when people put in alarms ....is the fact once its installed nobody should be able to tell there is one in the vehical...9 times out of ten...when a car comes into the shop for some kinda work....the second i pull down the dash ...a big ratnest of wires and alarm sensors falls down.....this is the worst way to leave a alarm...I don't even like putting the brain under the drivers dash... its just too easy to get to........but If you wanna Tackle the job Yourself....drop me a line and i'll send ya some info on what wires ya need to tap into...ohh yea NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO butt connector.....soldering is a MUST!
Posts: 45 | From: Erie,PA usa | Registered: May 1999
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Well there are alot of security companys out there....but pound for pound NOBODY beats DEI makers of Viper,Sidewinder,Python and others.....If you are looking for just a kickass alarm....the Viper 300 ESP is a good starting place...or you could move up to a Viper 600 ESP....it has more features....but if you want Remote start and Alarm .....Nothing Beats the Viper 550ESP
Posts: 45 | From: Erie,PA usa | Registered: May 1999
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You know, i was thinking a while back where to install an alarm in a car. I was thinking under the drivers seat or passengers seat. usualy, the space is pretty tight under there. And its not like you are going to look under the seat of a car for the alarm. What do ya think?
Posts: 223 | From: Boise, ID, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Its a Good Idea to to hide the brain in a weird place ...but remember that under the seat ....it might get damaged by rain or some other elements.... As far as DYI on Viper.....its a no-go....It's in DEI policy for any dealer that sells DEI PRoducts that they be sold INSTALLED ONLY.....sorry about that... Posts: 45 | From: Erie,PA usa | Registered: May 1999
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I personally use an old, old, old, OLD Alpine 8040. Love that thing! Course, now I got the new car, and left the old one in the other Honda... I will just give some general advice to anyone doing an alarm, for the first or thousandth time.
1. TAKE YOUR DAMN TIME! It's very easy to get in a rush and make a Vehicle/Career altering mistake...
2. SOLDER EVERY DAMN CONNECTION! I dont care what anybody says or thinks, a soldered joint dont break.
3. MOUNT SIREN STEALTH! And, if you can, run the wires through the mounting bracket and whatever else, just to keep them so short it'll be tough to cut them.
4. MOUNT THE BRAIN FIRST, AND LEAVE ENOUGH SLACK IN THE WIRING TO SET IT ON THE FLOOR! Jeez... I cant tell you how many times I had to stand on my head to flip a couple of dips in a brain way up in the dash...
5. DID I MENTION TAKE YOUR TIME??
6. ALWAYS LOOM EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE IN YELLOW OR ORANGE if possible! Thiefs dont want to screw with airbags!
7. MOUNT THE LED(S) IN THE EASIEST SEEN SPOT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR! Pretty much self explanitory.
8. USE A DAMN METER! I know "I know every wire of this car, I dont need no stinkin' meter!" I once saw a guy SMOKE a 'puter that way....
9. NO RELAYS OUTSIDE OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT! Under NO circumstances should ANY relay be exposed to the elements.
10. BRAINS GO ANYWHERE EXCEPT WHERE MOVING PARTS ARE! This means, NOT on the drivers side. Saw a newby once put the brain on top of the steering column and tie wrap it there. Didnt get out of the parking lot before the customer hit the brake and couldn't stop, it seemed the brain got in the way of pedal travel.
11. DID I MENTION TAKE YOUR TIME AND SOLDER ALL YOUR CONNECTIONS? I know a lot of people dont like it, but I like to use that 3M dum-dum sticky as sticky gets waterproof tape, just cause I hate having to fix corroded terminals...
12. IF YOU THINK YOU'VE FOUND A GOOD GROUND, LOOK AGAIN! You can NEVER have too good of a ground. On my personal car, I actually cut the ground about an inch from the brain and soldered on 3 ends, and grounded it in 3 spots, one of which is very obvious. This way, if a "real" car theif tries to take my ride, he's got some work to do...
Guess that should about cover the most basic things. I have a zillion ideas on *real* auto security. Here's a neat one: instead of starter kill, do an ignition kill, or fuel pump kill, using a normally closed relay. Theif gets in car, hot wires, car turns over, wont start, so he'll try again, and again, then leave, while the alarm is still going off. You could really trick this out by using a latching relay set to keep the other relay open even if the theif finds the brain. And, with the normally closed relay, if the relay craps out, it should still start.
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
posted
Audiophyle, you're always such a help! Thanks. I'm pretty sure that I don't know enough about what I'm doing. How good of instructions do alarms come with? Is there a place that I could learn more about the wiring and setup of alarm components? I'm really curious, and judging from everyone's talk, creativity and a good setup is more important thatn having a great piece of equipment (hey that sounds just like how to get high spl!). I wouldn't mind having the shop do it, but there motivation level is not the same as mine. I am VERY determined not to have my stereo/truck stolen.
------------------ RF Bass 225.2 DVC 15
Posts: 185 | From: Dijon, France | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Newbies and alarms are a dangerous combo. Of ALL the alarms I have seen, though, the Avital line seems to be the most user friendly. They really walk you through it and are a very good alarm. Talk nice to the store and they may even print out a wire code color chart for your car.......
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And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
posted
Audiophyle, I too have a 8040, but I have no wiring diagram for the pager that I got with it (bought whole thing used for $50). I've got the alarm installed and working, but not the pager. Any info?
Posts: 490 | From: Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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OK, Dukk, bad combo. I am a newbie at alarms, but a somewhat decent stereo installer. How would you compare installing a nice alarm to putting in a full stereo, building a nice ported box, custom amp rack with plexi, multiple amps, xovers, etc. I know the wiring is probably a lot worse, but is it possible with the wiring diagrams? Or is it not likely without some instruction?
Posts: 185 | From: Dijon, France | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Inno, I have the pinout for the 8040, when I find it, I'll email it to ya... Mastap, comparing an alarm install to a typical stereo install is really like comparing apples to oranges, similar, yet VERY different. You need to get your mind in a different, altered state to really install a vehicle security system. A state in which you start thinking like a theif, this way, you can eliminate some of they're typical entry points and at least slow them down. I think Dukk steered you right on Avital. I think they are pretty much the best do it yourself brand on the market. Code alarm would be my second bet. They both send EXCELLENT documentation for they're alarm systems and speak in plain english, very easy to understand. Just take your time. Schedule a weekend so you dont get rushed. Your first will always be your toughest.
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
posted
OK, thanks. That is pretty much what I was thinking. It isn't easy, but not rocket science. As far as thinking like a thief, I've gotten lots of ideas from everyone in this forum. I am thinking it is mostly creativity. I'm sure that with a weekend of free time, we can put in something pretty awesome.
Oh, and another thing... We aren't really concerned about vehicle theft, there are just a ton of stereos stolen in the area. What features would be most important? What are kind of a waste of time?
------------------ RF Bass 225.2 DVC 15
[This message has been edited by mastap (edited 12-06-1999).]
Posts: 185 | From: Dijon, France | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Mastap - the hardest part is finding the right wire in the car. This is where a code sheet is invaluable. If you have install experience you should be okay.
And as far as the other question: Find every siren or horn you can get your hands on and install them EVERYWHERE, inside and outside. I like to use a relay and individual fusing so if one is found and the hot shorted it doesn't kill the rest!
------------------
And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
posted
Awesome. I am planning on buying the alarm and installing it over the holidays. Sounds liek a lot of fun. Where can you get those wiring sheets?
------------------ RF Bass 225.2 DVC 15
Posts: 185 | From: Dijon, France | Registered: Jun 1999
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