Opening a shop?

This goes out to all you wonderful shop owners out there.

I'm opening a shop up in a couple weeks if all goes well. My first question is where you get your wiring information...I've used wiremagic and DEI's DirectWire before, but I may not have access to them. What are the pros and cons about any other databases out there?

Second...I've thought about diagnosing electrical problems on vehicles as another thing I could do. Any databases that cover whole electrical systems on vehicles?

Third...any other general tips for getting my shop going?

Thanks in advance to all of you.

Chris

I know this site has a pretty good wiring database.

https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/vehicles.asp

Paul

why not still subscribe to Wire Magic?... i do and love it, i also get DEI Direct Wire free as a dealer, but am willing to pay for Wire Magic.....  Mitchell on Demand should give you info on other things you may be interested in.....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

I've never used wire magic. DEI has done the job for me.

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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.

I'll probably use WireMagic. My main concern with DEI was that I haven't talked to them and don't know if they have any requirements to become a dealer other than having a retail location. I'm definitely trying to sell their product - as far as I'm concerned they are best in the industry as far as ease of install, tech support, accessories.

Francious, the 12volt's database is great, but there are some errors in it on occasion...I'm still going to need someone to call up and complain to when the wiring info isn't right.

All you guys...thanks for the help. I'll have to learn by trial and error a bit I'm sure, but your help is much appreciated.

I am a shop owner and I can tell you that no matter whose wiring information you use, you had better be able to get on without it also, because you will have countless times when the information is either obscure, not available or wrong. As far as electrical problems, we do that and we use Shopkey and it's great. DEI will only talk to you if you are ready to buy into their entire product line, including stereos, video ect. As far as quality, we use Prestige and have had very few problems. Good Luck!

DEI sounds snooby (buy their whole line).  In this day and edge with competition being so high it just doesn't make any sense.  Yes they have name + reputation but I bet that Audiovox/Prestige is comparable in quality.  Besides if you got a decent alarm which works as advertized no one is going to care about the name, they'll be happy that it works properley, the shock sensor doesn't go off when it rains, they can roll their windows up/down from the remote, read temperature inside car, remote start, turn stereo and AC on, etc.  (plenty of features to wow your friends "Check this out man, my alarm can turn on the Showtime Rotisery coocker in the trunk, and make the fish tank rise from the dash board :).  I don't own a shop (one day maybe) that's my 2cents. 

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(1) Kenwood Excelon Head Unit KDC-X589 (24 bit Burr Brown DAC, 3 X 4 volt RCA).
(1) RF Punch 250A2 - running the components.
(1) Hifonics 6.5" Atlas Components (18db crossovers).

I am going to hold off on DEI for now...their buy-in is too high (like $3500). I'll probably do Audiovox/Prestige or CodeAlarm for my security, I'm also giving Scytek a try.

That's pretty cool having your alarm do the rotisserie cooker and fish tank controls, us_test, but I really think it's unimpressive unless it can remove the fish from the tank and put them in the rotisserie cooker. On second thought, the fish are kind of expensive - maybe the alarm could just have them put something in the cooker. Any technical advice on this one?

Thanks again for the replies everyone.

Yes you need to use the FishMan actuators to put the fish in the rottisery. To pick the fish you use one of those arms used on those machines where you put a quarter and move the arm and try to grab something.

What about this buy - in

What are you buying protection...this sounds to me like the mobile security mafia...They'll probably make you burn(DEI) the front page of the Excalibur 1600 ATVS manual ("May your soul burn like this page should you reveal our secrets and sell Omega products). Is guess you'll be MADE then.
(good laugh...I'm just messing with ya man...really good luck with the shop....what are are you in?)


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(1) Kenwood Excelon Head Unit KDC-X589 (24 bit Burr Brown DAC, 3 X 4 volt RCA).
(1) RF Punch 250A2 - running the components.
(1) Hifonics 6.5" Atlas Components (18db crossovers).

y'all must be in a different market down there, because i get great support from DEI (although i've never really had to ask for any ) and i sell only their RS and security products..... they have never asked us to buy into their whole line.....if you want it, it's there, if you dont, dont worry about it.....of course they want some small commitment re: buying, but $3500 really isnt very high at all... you'll buy that in a month during starter season....they just dont have time to deal with the guys that want to buy 4 starters or something.....

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

kgerry - Sounds like supply and demand if they don't have too many dealers in one area then they'll be easier to work with but if they have a lot of DEI dealers in the area then they'll make demands to try to keep new dealers out since the market is staurated.

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(1) Kenwood Excelon Head Unit KDC-X589 (24 bit Burr Brown DAC, 3 X 4 volt RCA).
(1) RF Punch 250A2 - running the components.
(1) Hifonics 6.5" Atlas Components (18db crossovers).

Yeah - I'm not bothered by the $3500 buy-in so much as I am the fact that it took about a week of calling to get a real person in their sales department, and find out what their requirements were. It's not really that much...but I'm starting this shop pretty much with the cash I have on hand, and $3500 is a bit much for me to put into one brand (though I do consider them the best as far as security goes.) I ordered a few rs and alarms from Scytek, and I'll probably do Audiovox or Code Alarm also.

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C Renner's Auto Electronix
My service is cheap, quick, and good - pick any two