Police Cars

I specialize in Police packages and installations.  Is there any one else out there in this line of work.  I am considering expanding into audio, video, etc...

Thanks8D

In NC.

I am an installer for an emergency vehicle equipment outfitter. Are you talking about getting into audio/video for emergency vehicle use (such as eyewitness, cruise cam, mobile vision, school bus systems, etc) or for personal use (such as DVD players, LCD displays, play station, etc). I work at a pretty high volume shop. What type of questions do you have? Maybe I can help. Also anyone else with emergency vehicle equipment questions, let me know.

John Liguori - New Jersey

i was looking to get back in the business, maybe represent a out of state company in my area. I have been doing limo systems  for about 5 years but the industry is down big time. I am just looking to expand

It's tough starting your own business.  Last month was terribls, but so far the end of May and early June are looking up.

where r u located vanbulace man

The Impala 9C1 marked and 9C3 unmarked police package comes with a supplemental manual in the glove compartment that covers the police package options including wiring diagrams. I would suggest looking there first. I don't have one in front of me now, but I have a manual at my shop.

The Surveillance Mode Switch (SURV) is located in the instrument panel to the left of the steering column. When the SURV button is pressed in, all automatic exterior and interior lighting functions are disabled. Pressing the button again activates these lighting functions. All lighting functions can be activated manually if necessary.

In daylight, the daytime running lamps (DRL) are off and the transaxel shift indicator (PRNDL) and clock/radio are at minimum intensity. At nighttime the automatic lamp control (ALC) is disabled: exterior lamps, interior instrument displays and dome lamp are off and the PRNDL, clock/radio displays are at minimum intensity.

Last month my service manager went to a meeting at GM in Detroit to discuss the changes and new design of the 2006 police package Impala. So we will have one more year of the current style before they completely change everything and we have to learn another new one. We don't do too many Impala's anyway. Only a few hundred a year. Hopefully equipment manufacturer's will keep up to date with appropriate mounting brackets and electrical connections.

John Liguori

Sorry, I checked the mannual yesterday. It does not cover wiring for the surveillance mode switch. It covers the functionality but not wiring. There are several wiring diagrams in the manual which cover adding common options. It details the harness coming out from under the dash, including relay diagram, horn ring loop circuit, ignition, accessory triggers. The manual also covers detailed pin assignments for Headlight flasher metripack plug under hood, wiring diagram for adding taillight flasher to plug and socket in truck, factory spotlights, deck lights etc.

I thought the info you were looking for would be in that supplement, but I guess that I was wrong. Not sure where you need to look for this info.

John Liguori
Major Automotive - NJ

Hello all,

I'm from So. California, I've been in this Emergency Vehicle business for 15 years as a installer / technician.  Experienced with as far as fabrication, custom circuit applications, modification on equipments, uhh,... intercom system, full gamut of communications including analogue cellular, computer, gps, this, that, those, these... and in the dangerous world of 120 volt systems!  Oh yeah, and lightbars too!

Would like to chat with other like-minded EVTech's in a forum, etc. 

Sean

hey mobilevt, sounds like my experience in the business too.  I like to share ideas and find some answers to some things that just stump me.

Jim

Tell us a little about yourself Jim,

Anyone else is welcome too!

Sean

A little history about myself for those of you that said you were interested in knowing about background and talking with others in the business.......

I currently am an installer for an emergency vehicle outfitter. I have been with this company for a short time. I have many skills and have held many positions with several companies in various fields. I have an amateur radio license and used to work for a radio shop. We handled Motorola, Midland, Icom radios, Orbacom dispatch consoles, and some lights, sirens, etc. I started my career out with computers back in the 80's. I had a strong background with PC's, networking, printers, voice and data cabling, Nortel telephone systems, documentation, etc. I originaly went to school for Aircraft maintenance. This taught me various things, such as sheet metal, woodworking, technical drawing, engines, jets, electrical, plastic, fabric, electronics, welding (still don't weld too good) etc. etc.

I volunteer with local Fire Dept / EMS. I was a public safety dispatcher for 4 years and currently Deputy OEM coordinator for local town. I enjoy working in public safety enviornment, but the money was much better in computers. (Hate computers)

The outfit I am with now has a pretty large shop. We may be opening a second shop a couple states away soon. I would say our major product lines are Federal Signal, Code3, 911EP, Nova, Sho-Me, Sound-off for lights and sirens, Troy and Jotto Desk for equipment consoles, Setina & Troy for partitions. We don't sell radios or MDT systems, but do install them if customer provides them. We do mostly police vehicles and some fire/ems SUV's. and a rare Gator, Cushman, GEM, or other vehicle.

Before I got this position I was looking to relocate someplace warm. These last two winters were pretty rough in New Jersey. Snow, snow, snow. <<<Bad 4 letter word. Is anyone making good money anywhere (other than the owners) I think I still want to find someplace warmer.

John Liguori - NJ

About me.

I grew up a Navy brat, my dad is a retired electronics tech from the navy.  I spent 5 1/2 years in the airforce and learned the ins and outs of chasing over 3 miles of wire through F-4 Wild Weasels. 

I got into the emergency vehicle building business srt of by accident.  I was trying to find a job after moving back to NC and saw one for an installer with the NC Highway Patrol.  With my wiring background they loved me and I was really over qualified.  They wouldnt give me more money without my FCC License so I went into the private sector.  I hooked up with a fairly large radio shop in NC where I learned about other systems that I didnt see in tne HP so it was a really good education.  It must be my personality but I kept bugging them for more training on portables and things like that and then with the training under my belt ofcourse I needed more money.  I still was one paycheck away from being on the street. 

Eventually we had a parting of the ways and that was the shove out the window that I needed to start my own business.  With my business connections and selling 1/3 of my business to an older couple for an investment I was off and running.

It is extremely tough.  I love my work and I still wire vehicles like I wired aircraft.  It is the finding customers part that is killing me.  I have some good contracts but you know muni's don't by vehicles every day of the year.  Eventually I would like to be the goto company for emergency vehicles in the south-east.

Not much snow here by the way, just a hurricane or two. (sorry about the 4 letter word John.)  I am based out of Raleigh NC and willing to drive a couple of hours for good work.  My business is purely mobile rightnow, just me and a full sized van.  Most of my customers love that I come to them too.

Well that is the basics.

Jim Luke-NC