New Idea
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=703
Printed Date: July 05, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Topic: New Idea
Posted By: markb
Subject: New Idea
Date Posted: May 10, 2002 at 9:44 PM
Hey, I work as an installer for Electronic Engineering Co. in Iowa. Mostly we do installs in public safety vehicles such as police cars and trucks. Now this isn't quite as fun as doing wicked stereos and alarms and stuff, but it actually gets you involved in a lot of technical areas and creates it's own challenges. I just finished a 100% covert install in an undercover vehicle. Absolutely every peice of aftermarket equipment is hidden from sight. It looks perfectly stock. However, a flip of a couple switches in the hidden overhead compartment and a full on police car with strobes, wig-wags, and blue&reds is blaring it's siren. It has a rear illumination kill which cuts off brake, tail, backup and license plate lights for stealth running. I guess the point is, this is an interesting field, and there just isn't that much info on the net for us. I know a lot of guys who would appreciate a broader spectrum of 12 volt coverage. Actually, though I think this is the best 12 volt site I've seen. I also work on weekends for a small shop installing remote starters and alarms and whatnot, and that's how I found this place. I think the sharing of knowledge is outstanding, without the "what's in it for me" approach taken by many seasoned but snobbish installers. They had to learn somewhere too, right? Anyway, I guess this isn't so much an idea as it is a big thumbs up in your direction. Keep it up everyone!
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-Mark
Replies:
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: May 10, 2002 at 10:02 PM
Are you calling me a snob  ( just kidding !! ) You have a real interesting job there at the EEC, how did you land a job like that ? Any way, my philosophy is to be able to help and educate people who want to be helped. Why keep all this knowledge that I've learned over the years to myself when someone else can benefit from my mistakes  . I think some thanks should go to all the installers that make up this site and a BIG THANKS to the12volt for organizing us all together to help everyone. Having said this I hope to see more of you on this site Mark and we can all benefit from each other. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Chris Luongo
Date Posted: May 21, 2002 at 10:34 PM
Hey Mark, I always was fascinated with two-way radio and emergency lighting systems, partially becuase I used to be a tow truck driver, and I made many minor repairs to my trucks' lights and radios. On that unmarked police car, how did you disable all the rear lights? I was thinking to simply use three relays to interrupt power to the brake, backup, and parking lights, but maybe you've found a better way.
Posted By: markb
Date Posted: May 22, 2002 at 5:41 AM
Chris- I ended up having to use two bosch four pole relays. I know it sounds like overkill, but keep in mind there are EIGHT circuits to kill. They all have to be killed independeently or else computer problems arose. There are Lbrake, Rbrake, Ltail, Rtail, Lreverse, Rreverse, 3rd brake, and license plate. I initially tried to find a common for all these lamps going back to the front of the car, but when I killed this, every thing wnt off normally and then came BACK ON! On an older car this would have worked. There may be a better way, But I didn't have too much time to screw around, so we just stuck with what we knew would work.
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-Mark
Posted By: patrick
Date Posted: June 27, 2002 at 12:36 PM
i am just getting started in electronics my intrest lies in car stereos and alarms ect i want to know what would be the best move in getting a job
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Posted By: Big Dog
Date Posted: June 27, 2002 at 2:46 PM
Hey patrick, Study and take the MECP test for starters as most places appreciate the value of instruction. To begin installing you might try places like Future Shop and the like who usually hire at a lower rate while you work side by side as an apprentice under the tutorship of a veteran installer. When I started I wanted to install so badly that I was willing to work for free! Now, I no longer work for free but for a fee!  ------------- Prepare your future. It wasn't the lack of stones that killed the stone age.
Posted By: GlassWolf
Date Posted: July 01, 2002 at 3:38 PM
yeah I hear ya on the tail lights. heh I had my festiva wired using a pair of relays as well, so that having a Hurst T-handle shifter with NOS activation button, I used that momentary switch to activate the relays, killing my Lbrake, and Rbrake lights, so that if I saw a cop behind me pacing me, I could safely slow down without alerting him to my doing so.
Worked VERY well.. LOL
hold in the button on the 5-speed, and bingo! no brake lights!
lol
ahhh the good old days *g*
I helped wire up half a dozen Suzuki GSX-R1100's for the Va state police force as well, for high-speed persuit bikes. all grey and blue, with strobes, etc.. quite sweet rides. They kept them as reserves in case they had to catch someone else on a sport-bike pretty much.
That was back in the early 90's
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-GlassWolf
Pioneer Stage-4, Orion, DynAudio, Fi
Posted By: aj2002
Date Posted: July 15, 2002 at 1:55 AM
thank u guys for sharing ideas from one to another bu guys i need to ask some budy that being mi kind of position ive being in this feild for sins i remember mi self playing wiht wiresnow im 29yrs old and ideas is droping licke crazy i have a shop that i mack some leaving on it from alarms don in 15 minute to custom and somany more but the trut is i ded not finish shool or went to mecp . mi question is whats best for me for now,after loocking at 3 lovely children i have and the reasing im asking , it maybe crazy saying this i dont have pation wiht customer no more and if i get some one to keep is either he find i bether job or after learning they start ignoring so guys im droping and i cant get up help . thanks ------------- aj;(installer manager)
Posted By: tds715
Date Posted: July 17, 2002 at 10:26 PM
hey man can i get me a police siren
Posted By: markb
Date Posted: July 31, 2002 at 10:15 AM
hey tds, You could get one, but the temptation to misuse those things is awful. It'd be pretty hard to keep myself out of trouble if I had one!
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-Mark
Posted By: sparkyssb
Date Posted: July 31, 2002 at 3:26 PM
aj, it looks like you need to work with your people person skills..  yeah..mine suck big time but in order to keep customers, thats the only way you can do it...kiss a$$ and do a good job on the install. what else can anybody ask for? 
Posted By: aj2002
Date Posted: August 03, 2002 at 12:10 PM
i have to keep it rulling thanks bot the problem is most therre ass sthink lol......thanks again sparkssb ------------- aj;(installer manager)
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