anybody master level MECP?
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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=41204
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 7:59 AM
Topic: anybody master level MECP?
Posted By: Charles_R_H
Subject: anybody master level MECP?
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 9:36 AM
Just curious to see if any members are first class certified.
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ELECTRONICS RUN OFF OF SMOKE, WHEN YOU LET THE SMOKE OUT THEY STOP WORKING
Replies:
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 4:42 PM
I am first class security. Someone who works for my company is a master in Colorado.
Damn, I should talk my boss into paying for the test.
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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.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 5:13 PM
I am nothing  I have no formal training  I never went to any installation schools or took any courses  BUT......... I will put myself up against anyone as far as experience goes that has their Master MECP. Not trying to put wits up against wits here, but I think some people put too much emphasis on a piece of paper. In my 10 + years of installation I have seen and heard some pretty scary stuff from MECP installer's that did installations for customer's that you could swear was done by a beginner installer without any formal guidance. I'm nost sure if I've ever heard of a Master MECP installer in my area ? I'll have to ask around here to see, but I'm sure there are not any. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Charles_R_H
Date Posted: October 20, 2004 at 9:29 AM
I prefer experience over certification also. I waited 3 years before I took the first test. The job I might be going back to bases commision on your certification level. I'm going to take the first class test and hopefully pass it, and then look to taking the master level test. I know that the master level is going to be crazy hard!!! I'm just curious about questions that they ask on it, if any one has taken it would be interesting to hear some of the questions that they ask.
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ELECTRONICS RUN OFF OF SMOKE, WHEN YOU LET THE SMOKE OUT THEY STOP WORKING
Posted By: Wiseguy
Date Posted: October 21, 2004 at 1:32 PM
im just mecp basic for now i know a guy that took the master test he said he was brain dead after he took it ------------- Clarion DXZ745MP
Kove ZX504
Kove AG1400
Kove 12" T3 Armageddon
Kove 6.5" Compaxials
WILDER 6.5" Pro-Audio Drivers
Custom Pre-amp
Posted By: Wiseguy
Date Posted: October 21, 2004 at 1:33 PM
Charles_R_H wrote:
I prefer experience over certification also. I waited 3 years before I took the first test. The job I might be going back to bases commision on your certification level. I'm going to take the first class test and hopefully pass it, and then look to taking the master level test. I know that the master level is going to be crazy hard!!! I'm just curious about questions that they ask on it, if any one has taken it would be interesting to hear some of the questions that they ask.
i feel the same way experience prevails ------------- Clarion DXZ745MP
Kove ZX504
Kove AG1400
Kove 12" T3 Armageddon
Kove 6.5" Compaxials
WILDER 6.5" Pro-Audio Drivers
Custom Pre-amp
Posted By: dxav
Date Posted: October 22, 2004 at 9:02 AM
Experience is better, but that piece of paper is basic credibility. Remember, a certification test cannot test EVERYTHING for any particular level. It just means you understand basic concepts at that level.
I have no certification, but have about 8+ Years experience. Because I value my customer's opinions, and satifaction, my installs tend to be much better than some of the local shops. Well, the ones that employ several 'kids', doing it part time, still in HS; just trying to earn a couple bucks and to be able to 'hook their friends up'.
DXAV
Posted By: SoundFX411
Date Posted: October 22, 2004 at 1:57 PM
I too hire by experience. That piece of paper cost me alot of money to have airbags replaced. I hired someone because of that MECP piece of paper and found out the hard way that it is only a piece of paper. I have 15+ years and will never hire because of MECP again.
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SoundFX
Posted By: hagmanti
Date Posted: October 22, 2004 at 8:53 PM
Experience is great. But MECP certifications suggest that the person will at least have been exposed to the why wiring too many speakers in parallel will blow your amp, how to calculate resistance (door locks and security!) w/ unequal resistors in parallel, and how to properly tune an amp. None of this makes a great installer; installation is about a lot of things other than that, and you can do a heck of a lot of stuff in the real world w/o any understanding of the theory behind what you're doing. And it's certainly true that most reasonably intelligent people will pick up most of that theory given enough time doing...
But I have to say that if I was choosing between two equally experienced installers (and I wasn't allowed to see some of their previous work), I'd choose the one w/ MECP cert over the one w/o.
Me
Posted By: flynntech
Date Posted: October 24, 2004 at 11:34 AM
How do you blow and airbag!? I just don't understand?
Posted By: Mad Scientists
Date Posted: October 24, 2004 at 1:59 PM
Probe airbag wiring with a 12v test light... and lots of other ways. Jim
Posted By: flynntech
Date Posted: October 25, 2004 at 7:46 PM
Why would someone probe an airbag wire....? Strange...
Posted By: Teamrf
Date Posted: October 25, 2004 at 8:28 PM
You'd be surprised man. In the new Chevy trucks..they run two yellow wires in the ignition harness. One of them is the air bag, and the other is the starter wire. Someone that wasn't paying attention could of easily cut the air bag wire thinking it was the starter wire. Or probed it testing for the starter wire.
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~The Rookie~
Rookie of the year that is...
Don't let the smoke out of your equiptment..it doesn't go back in.
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: October 25, 2004 at 10:16 PM
In the real world there are those who seek only paper backed people, who have little first hand work experience.
Then there are those who have no formal education to back up what they know, or can do.
It really comes down to where you are employed, what the companies technical mandate is.
And hopefully, they will find a happy medium as to what is really important, for them.
In our field, we require equal amounts of both, education and hands on application(s).
But none of that matters without one good working brain !!
I know alot of techs in my company who are extremely book smart, but cant trouble shoot anything in the field. Then there are those who are very field smart, but couldnt read a schematic if their lives were on the line.
Come's down to balance, and common sense.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
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Knowledge is power. But only if you apply that knowledge in a positive way, which promotes positive results in others.
EVIL Teken . . .
Posted By: NowYaKnow
Date Posted: October 25, 2004 at 11:05 PM
I was first class MECP certified way back in the 1900's.. ( 1999 ) I've recently recertified, but only at the basic level for right now. Funny part is the MECP test hasn't changed since then, cars have. A good concept but fumbled badly by MECP. As mentioned by the wise one above, a decent understanding of electricity and common sense will get you further than that piece of paper ever will. However I have always preached that it is a big plus in getting your foot in the door, so I would recommend anyone wanting to become an installer to get certified. I guess MASTER level would be kinda cool though..
Mike
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 25, 2004 at 11:48 PM
There's those word again.... " common sense "  . I hate it when people use these words so loosely. Common sense for one person is totally different than the next person because we can't have shared common life experiences with one another. This expectation of knowing what is "common sense" is irrational and unobtainable. I will gather the meaning of common sense when I find it and post it on this post or a new one. Sorry, just needed to vent . ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: NowYaKnow
Date Posted: October 26, 2004 at 7:41 AM
common sense (n.)
1. Sound judgment not based on specialized knowledge; native good judgment
2. Ordinary good sense or sound practical judgment.
3. The way of looking at things apart from technical or special training
Posted By: hurtado_roberto
Date Posted: October 26, 2004 at 10:08 AM
When you guys passed the MECP test did you trully study the entire book thoroughly?
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Poly Dollies
Posted By: MasTERMECP
Date Posted: October 26, 2004 at 1:52 PM
I am Master certified. I have been noticing that it is a common misconception that just because some one is MECP certified (at any level) that they automatically know how to work on cars. I have over nine years experience at a Big Box store and have installed thousands of pieces of audio equipment and alarms/remote starts. I am also a proctor for my region and a major proponent of MECP. While it is true that most customers have no clue what MECP is, once you take a few minutes to explain it to them you have increased public awareness about our industry and set them hopefully at ease. But I digress. Book learnin' (MECP) is no substitute for hands on experience. However understand that having knowledge about the principles of why that stereo works the way it does is truly valuable. Mike
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 26, 2004 at 7:56 PM
There is no way that we as people growing up in different families, doing different jobs, having different experiences, learning in different schools, that we can have the same common sense. We may share some common life experiences, but there is a good chance that even those are different. There is nothing common about common sense. A better way to express this common sense feeling is to express it as a logical thought process due to consideration of some common training that was attended or supplied. Even then, there is no guarantee that they retained the same info. that you might have.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: October 26, 2004 at 10:42 PM
Hence the common thread which all great companies follow. Formal education, coupled with years / hours of hands on experience.
Just because you go to school and learn all the information, does not mean you can apply that knowledge. Just because you have 999999999 hours under your belt does not, by default make you qualified either.
The bottom line is this. . . We are not talking about plumbing, heating, or other trades. The question being posed is by a person who is looking to specialize into the 12 volts areana.
So with that in mind, the short answer is this. Education in any form is invaluable. But temper that knowledge in a mannner which can be applied in a practical manner, keeping the electrical basics, and sound installation practices in all that you do.
MECP, is great to standardize our industry, it isn't, nor will it ever be the final say as to whether you get a job, or whether you are great at it.
Everyone learns by doing, and in doing so, hopefully the fruits of your labor will be noticed and appreciated in our field.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
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Knowledge is power. But only if you apply that knowledge in a positive way, which promotes positive results in others.
EVIL Teken . . .
Posted By: clank
Date Posted: October 27, 2004 at 12:07 AM
Being MECP cetified is like graduating from high school. Not being is like haveing a GED. Both get the job done, but one looks a lot better. ------------- shocker
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 27, 2004 at 12:10 AM
Teken] wrote:
MECP, is great to standardize our industry, it isn't, nor will it ever be the final say as to whether you get a job, or whether you are great at it.
It is though. Some places will not hire without the MECP Certificate. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: October 27, 2004 at 9:29 AM
Well, that is to be expected really. Nobody in a technical field these days gets hired on, unless they know someone, or has struck some really good luck.
The 12 volt industry has changed, and in general is alot better, then years past. But, a true balance must be found to each situation and person who comes walking into the door.
As the other member said, it looks alot better on paper, and unfortunately, that is only thing that gives you the edge over the also rands.
Jeff, in your situation you are a small company, and as you have stated in the past you are self taught. Your view and standards would be more open, as would your acceptance of someone who does not have any formal training or MECP, etc.
But I am sure that you would be asking alot of basic and pertinant Q's to the potential candidate, to show you really what he / she knows with their brains and hands.
Does this make it fair??? Oppose to the person who has a piece of paper??
I can tell you from first hand experiece, that when someone puts you on the spot to do what is taught in school, either you know how to, or you freeze.
That's why education and hands on experience is expected, and what makes the difference.
At the end of the day it comes down to the employer, and what standards they have set out. In my field, our mandate and standards are based on ISO, and Industrial applications, and nothing you do will get you in the door, unless you have that piece of paper.
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Knowledge is power. But only if you apply that knowledge in a positive way, which promotes positive results in others.
EVIL Teken . . .
Posted By: Wiseguy
Date Posted: October 27, 2004 at 9:42 AM
i feel experience the key but these day thats not what people are looking for..... they all want credentials on paper, my father has over 30 years in the pro-audio industry and can barely find a job because he never took the time to get certified as an engineer ------------- Clarion DXZ745MP
Kove ZX504
Kove AG1400
Kove 12" T3 Armageddon
Kove 6.5" Compaxials
WILDER 6.5" Pro-Audio Drivers
Custom Pre-amp
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 27, 2004 at 10:38 AM
Hey Teken, well put. When it does come fown to it, I would rather have someone who knows how to install than thinks he/she know how to install because a piece of paper says so. That's the biggest concern that I would have with some that has a peice of paper saying that their qualified over someone who has a couple years experience in the bay. Hey Wiseguy, that's the way the cookie crumbles now a days in the manufacturing business. It's no longer good enough that your qualified for the job. If the company is larger, they want to be able to put the potential candidate in higher positions, but you need to have formal education in order to do that. Sucks this way, but can't fight the corporate bullies. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
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