Strobe and 2nd siren install

Hey there, i'm the latest newbie here!! I recently had a Prestige 996a alarm/remote start installed. I had a mine piezo siren installed in the cab and i purchased another one from ebay but the place I had the alarm installed wouldn't install it since I didn't purchase it from them. I don't want to mess anything up but since I have the extra siren I want to install it. I'm don't know very much when it comes to electrical stuff, but i'm pretty mechanically inclined so with a little help I think I can get it installed. So what do I need to know about hooking it up??

I also want to install strobes inside the cab and possibly outside and need help with that too (I have a separate thread for that though)

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

I recently had a Prestige 996a alarm/remote start installed on my truck. I want to hook up strobe lights inside and out for some added security and confusion for a would be thief. I did a search but didn't really understand a whole lot of what was being said. I'm not very good with electronic lingo (relays & stuff) and wiring. I am pretty mechanically inclined so with a little help I think I can figure it out. I was planning on just splicing right into the mini piezo siren that is in the cab but someone on a different forum (the person who directed me to this forum) advised that I shouldn't do that. A wiring diagram would be really helpful!! Thanks in advance!

I also want to install a 2nd mini piezo siren in the cab. I have a separate thread for that though.

Thanks again!!

the Installater, I was told hooking it up that way will put alot of stress on the alarm brain and you have to hook something up in between it..

bobk, sorry about the 2 threads. I wanted to keep them separate because from past experience in other forums if you as more than 1 question in a thread it the topic always veers off and only 1 question you asked gets covered and everyone forgets about the other question(s).

I personally have 2 mini piezo sirens and the siren that came with the alarm hooked up to the siren output and it works just fine.  If you want to add strobes you will need to wire up a relay to the siren output in addition to the sirens.

As a side note, I put the mini piezo sirens in the air vents on the sides of the dash.  Sat in the car and set off the alarm.  All I can say is if a theif wants to sit next to one of them long enough to rip out my stereo, he's not gonna have enough hearing left to enjoy it! 

Now for the strobe install.....I still have no idea how to hook it up.

Anyone have a diagram?????

Yes I have 3 sirens connected to the same output, if it were me I would go ahead and tap into the existing piezo that you have.  As for the strobes, I think you need to use a seperate relay so you don't overload the alarm brain.  Try this diagram I lifted from elsewhere on this site.

Using a 30 amp SPDT relay, connect terminal #87 to constant 12 volts positive WITH A FUSE.  Connect terminal #85 to ground, terminal #86 to the positive wire going to the siren, and terminal #30 to the positive wires on the strobes.  The negative wires on the strobes go to ground as usual.

Maybe one of the pro's around here will give their input on whether I got this right or not.  I installed my first alarm 2 weeks ago in my car and had never messed around with relays before.  Everything I have learned has come from this site.  Search and dig around...most of the answers are here.

No problem Lucky.  My advice to you would be to read almost everything over there on the left side of the screen, starting with the basics.  Thats where the diagram I posted for you was from.  Learn everything you can before you go ripping into your cars (or in your case trucks) electrical system, your vehicle will run much better if you do.  Start with small things, your piezo siren, then maybe a set of speakers, graduate to radios and then full blown stereo and video systems.  These are good places to start while you learn the basics.  Only then should you attempt alarms and remote starters, there are just too many things that can go wrong if you don't know what you're doing.  Your most important tool will probably be a digital multi meter (DMM).  All the wrenches, screwdrivers, crimpers and cutters in the world wont do you any good if you don't know which wire you're looking for.  Put your test light in the bottom of your toolbox, way in the back, and forget its there.  About the only thing it's good for now is testing if that battery over there in the corner has any juice in it, and even then a  DMM can do it better.  Doing your own installs is only rewarding if its done right, but if it is, it's great!  I don't think I will ever pay someone else to do my installs, I'd rather expand my knowledge and learn how its done myself.  Having said that, I'd like to add that I respect those who professionally install security and remote start systems, it looks as easy as hooking up a stereo and speakers, but I found there was much more to it than that.  My first one took me almost 8 hours to get it in and working, and Ive spent several more hours refining and adding things in the weeks since, however now I know more about how power door locks and power windows work, not to mention I've learned about the many joys of relays and what wonderful toys they are.  This board and the internet in general have been instrumental in accelerating my learning curve.  If you don't understand whats going on or how a particular install is supposed to go, stop and research... all the answers are here. 

As for where you can get relays, I bought a few of these on ebay https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&category=75389&item=5763459947, relay , plug and wires for 6 bucks shipped for the first one, 3 bucks each after that.  You can probably get them locally, maybe cheaper, but be sure to get SPDT 12 volt automotive relays at least 30AMP, 40AMP would be preferred just to be safe.  You don't really need the sockets if you find they're extra, you can use female slide connectors directly on the relay, just make sure theyre on TIGHT (you dont want them to slip off and then your strobes wont work) and tape them securely to prevent shorting out.  Relays can be used for endless things, lights, fans, horn honk, changing polarity, you can wire up a relay bank to keep your radio on after you shut off the ignition until you open a door, you can build a relay bank to use an auxilary channel on your alarm to turn on your radio, lights, neon or whatever without the key in the ignition, the possibilities are endless.  Do some research and you'll find all kinds of stuff.  GOOD LUCK! 

I wouldnt think so, as long as combined they dont draw more than 30 amps, and I doubt they will.

Just out of curiosity are you trying to make your truck look like a disco when the alarm goes off to draw attention to it?  How many strobes are you looking to hook up?

Well I just spotted your other post, it looks like youre looking to add 4 to 6 strobes, with 4 sirens.  Exactly what is it you're trying to protect?  I mean damn dude, why don't ya just get some bigass tow chain and loop it around your axle and park next to a telephone pole!  If the block is that bad it would probably be easier to move than to load up all this ish in your truck.

Anyone wanna wager on how many times the neighborhood kids bang on the truck and run just to see the light show?

LOL, I just don't want to take any chances. I read an article that had my truck as the 3rd most stolen truck in the U.S. and the 8th most stolen vehicle overall. Apparently it's real easy to break into (trust me it is) I know it seems like overkill but some of it is just for show..."hey look what my truck does when the alarm goes off!!!!"

I'm planning on putting a strobe in each headlight and one in each tail light and a couple inside to make seeing "difficult"

As for the sirens one in the front one in the back and a regular and mini piezo inside to make hearing "difficult"

Thanks again for the help!!!

dude, from experience, you are going to get so many false alarms from people just wanting to see it as stated above.... then your neighbors will get used to it and pissed at you, and when the real break in occurs, no ones gonna pay attention.

tone it down a lil...