Tools for installing alarms?

This maybe a stupid topic to discuss but being that most of you guys do this stuff day in day out its a lot easier to ask the question before making the attempt and knowing what to expect before it happens.  So with that said

What tools do you find yourself using

Screwdriver set

Soldering Ironcrimping toolsPlyersWhat other tools / and such should I have at my finger tips so that I don't have to stop for an hour and go and find a tool or something else while installing an alarm.

Thanks for the help

Nick

Wire stripper, electrical tape, zip ties, razor blade....just to name a few more. go jersey:-)Q: What's the best nation in the world?

A: Donation!     Donate to the12volt.com      

*One good working brain, with an ounce of common sense.* THESE ARE NOT TOOLS, BUT ARE THINGS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR INSTALLATION GO ALOT SMOOTHER. 1. Proper wiring diagram with location of connection points for the specific vehicle in question. Read over the user and installation manual several times to become familair with the programming sequence(s). 2. Draw out on paper as to where each component will be, and do a dry fit, to ensure proper placement. Varify all drilling points on both ends to ensure structual safety is met, and damages to the interior are eliminated. *Measure twice, cut once* 3. Always install the unit(s) with enough strain relief / service wire, for future trouble shooting and removel. 4. If you install any trigger pins, keep them away from water path ways and use a star washer to ensure proper grounding. 5. Running your extra wire through the engine bay should follow as closely to the factory OEM wiring. When this is not possible, use wire loom to protect and shroud the connections, keeping away from any heat and water path ways, and of course any moving parts. Use the proper multi-color guage wire for all area's, zip tieing every 12" or taping. 6. Siren: Mount the siren as high as possible avoiding high heat area's and water path ways. Each siren has a dust cover, taking a few moments to drill (3) 1/8th drain holes will ensure many years of service life. Again with any grounding point, ensure a star washer is used on any exterior connections points. The use of this $0.03 part promotes current transfer, and inhibits rust formation from affecting the contact point. It is the difference from a one year install, to a 10 trouble free years of service. Applying dielectric grease to the area will also inhibit moisture, and promote current transfer. Small details such as these are what makes an install a also rand, vs a steller install. Taking the time to install the siren in the inner fender area, opposed to the engine bay ensures protection, and louder sound penetration due to reverberation and echo effect. 7. If the unit is not fabricated with screw down PJ connectors to the alarm CPU. Ensure that you secure the wiring terminals with what ever method that will prevent the PJ's from being pulled apart. 8. Proper fusing is paramount in any installation. Technically it is suggested that you fuse any power souce within 18" of the power souce. In real life you will want to fuse the line to as close to power source as humanly possible. The closer the fusing to the source, the more wire that will be protected from burning. 9. If you intend on having a alarm system, invest the time and money for a hood lock. No, power = No sound & protection. Implementing layers of support and back up will ensure you more time to react. 10. Make your vehicle stand out. Using a combination of OEM horns or air horns with the alarm siren will draw more attention. Using high impact strobe lights that are mounted in the four corners of the vehicle along with the standard parking lights also draws more attention then the stardard issue. 11. Do not simply rely on the starter inhibit of the alarm system. Use and implement a ghost switch, along with a physcial contact point to immobolize the 4 key starting components. Starter / Ignition / Fuel pump or fuel relay / ECU They can be anything from a fuse, switch, relay, mag key, to jam direct contact points. 12. The chassis ground plane is one of the most important things that needs to be addressed. Using multiple ground points to the battery, and installing a trailing chassis ground strap will ensure electrostatic build up, will be bled off. 13. Security is a life style, and the alarm is only another part in the greater plan to ensure damage / theft is minimized. DON'T ADVERTISE - PARK SMART - BE AWARE - AND RUN STEALTH... If you live and breath these four phrases, 90% of your problems will not be there. I can tell you this because I have lived and worked in probably all the gutter area's in NYC, LA, and CA . . . So take it for what its worth. Planning + Imagination + Intergration + Common sense = Higher possibility of retrieval and lower damages. Regards EVIL Teken . . .   

Teken wrote: DON'T ADVERTISE - PARK SMART - BE AWARE - AND RUN STEALTH... If you live and breath these four phrases, 90% of your problems will not be there.

Absolutely correct. As far as tools. For most jobs you will need zip ties, DMM, soldering iron/solder, drill, crimpers, tape, and a razor ( personally I think most wire strippers are a waste of money). Misc picks will help too. The other neccessities that will cover most vehicles include a 7, 8, and 10 mm nut drivers and sockets, 15, 20 and 25 torx bits/drivers, and a panel popper.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

One thing I always forget when I go on the road is a way to get wires through existing grommets and door boots.  Usually I just use some heavier guage solid wire.