wiring for car-battery, fuse block, etc.

[Delivers1234]

Got the Larson! Nice. I'm ready to wire but worried about doing it without help. I'll see how it goes.

Well, I took off every panel to my equinox. I could not fish hook a hanger to pass the firewall. Looks like I need to remove some fuse blocks to get better access. I also removed the center too dash console to install the bearcat. Doesn't quite fit so I'm going to chop off a little plastic. Since there will be no hard cover I have a carpet dash.


This is really tough work. When I had a very carat I made holes through everything. The same for my Nissan pick up. I even had a relay to power an inverter 120v with a standard wall outlet!

I'll see if silk can help or my mechanic.

 

[Rred]

Sometimes it helps to lift the hood and look for black "rubber" plugs in the firewall. These are the places where optional wiring is also run through it, and the plugs are popped up as needed to allow that. The existing wire harness also will be going through large grommeted openings in the firewall, and there's usually some room to add wires.

With either of these, it is usually easier to poke through from the engine side, and then look for the new wire sticking out under the dash. Sometimes hidden from sight by the pedals, the AC ducting, etc. if you just look from the cabin side.

Or, there's access from the top of the fender running under the "A" pillar, if you beware of chafe. Car stereo shops often are familiar with these too.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Well, I took off every panel to my equinox. I could not fish hook a hanger to pass the firewall. Looks like I need to remove some fuse blocks to get better access. I also removed the center too dash console to install the bearcat. Doesn't quite fit so I'm going to chop off a little plastic. Since there will be no hard cover I have a carpet dash.


This is really tough work. When I had a very carat I made holes through everything. The same for my Nissan pick up. I even had a relay to power an inverter 120v with a standard wall outlet!

I'll see if silk can help or my mechanic.

Easiest way is to generally go from the engine bay, punch a hole in the side of the OEM wiring harness grommet (~1.5" off center) with a whip or something similar and then pull from the cabin out to the engine bay by taping the power lead to the whip/fish-tape.

 

[Delivers1234]

im mobile.

I went to Silke Comm. and they were awesome. The connected electrial and the yaseu and bearcat. my fuse box is under near the drivers fuse boxes. i need to run a wire from there to my dash cam and im going to go through pillar a driver's side. any suggestions? it looks like just retaining clips even though there is an airbag.


Reception is great with the whip and Larson. they were placed on the back 2 corners as the front curved to much foward. If i change the antennas, how would i take them apart? do i just unscrew? I did not see this part in the install. there is a bout 1 foot < difference on antenna sizes so i want the larger whip on the driver's side.

Any rules for driving with antennas?

Also im still deciding on having a speaker (or 2). I can hear the speakers even with the console closed (radios are in middle console). Does any know of better or slimmer etc speakers?

i also have a lot of left overs since Silke Comm used thier materials. I guess it for a project for another day.

I also need a home radio now. Get another yaesu? or Something different.

 

[mmckenna]

I went to Silke Comm. and they were awesome. The connected electrial and the yaseu and bearcat. my fuse box is under near the drivers fuse boxes. i need to run a wire from there to my dash cam and im going to go through pillar a driver's side. any suggestions? it looks like just retaining clips even though there is an airbag.

Not sure about this specific vehicle, but on the other GM vehicles I've installed on, the "A" pillar trim just pulls off. It's held in with retaining clips. Start at the top and g-e-n-t-l-e-y pull it straight out. There is likely existing wiring in there for the rear view mirror, dome light, etc. Just follow the path for that wiring. Re-installation involves lining up the clips and pushing it back into place.

Reception is great with the whip and Larson. they were placed on the back 2 corners as the front curved to much foward. If i change the antennas, how would i take them apart? do i just unscrew? I did not see this part in the install. there is a bout 1 foot < difference on antenna sizes so i want the larger whip on the driver's side.

The just unscrew at the base. Pay attention to the o-ring/gaskets. You want to get those reinstalled correctly.

I'd also strongly recommend occasionally taking the antennas off, cleaning underneath and making sure there isn't any water gathering underneath. The seals will keep them dry if they are installed correctly. Make sure they stay tight. I've never had one come loose, though.

Any rules for driving with antennas?

They are good antennas, so other than taking them off in a low parking garage, you don't need to change anything. They'll take a branch strike without issue, unless it's a big branch and it hits right at the antenna base.

Also im still deciding on having a speaker (or 2). I can hear the speakers even with the console closed (radios are in middle console). Does any know of better or slimmer etc speakers?

External speakers make a BIG difference. Name brand stuff usually works well. Be careful of the cheap "truck stop" quality stuff. The bigger the speaker the better the sound.

i also have a lot of left overs since Silke Comm used thier materials. I guess it for a project for another day.

Yep, it's an ongoing process. Keeping a "junk box" of parts may come in handy down the road. Most of us have a collection of old install parts that we use for the occasional odd job and repair.

I also need a home radio now. Get another yaesu? or Something different.

If you are happy with the one you have, then stick with it. User interfaces are different between the brands and if you are accustomed to the Yaesu, learning a new one can either be a frustration or a challenge. Depends on your point of view. Benefit to keeping everything the same is that you'll have common parts you can use for troubleshooting. Being able to swap microphones around if you have a suspected bad one can be worth it.

Congratulations on the install. I know it's hard for the first timer to drill holes into a perfectly good vehicle, but I've never found anyone that has regretted the decision. Once you are running professional grade antennas that are properly installed, you'll realize that the magnetic mount, clip on, glass mount, trunk bracket, etc. are all compromises. You can't do better than a permanently installed antenna. Also, it looks professional and will easily outlast the vehicle.

 

[mmckenna]

Reception is great with the whip and Larson. they were placed on the back 2 corners as the front curved to much foward. If i change the antennas, how would i take them apart? do i just unscrew? I did not see this part in the install. there is a bout 1 foot < difference on antenna sizes so i want the larger whip on the driver's side.

I'm sure you know, but make sure you move the antenna connections at the radio end if you swap the antennas side for side.
Also, at least for me, I've found it useful to label the ends of the coax to designate which one is which.

 

[Delivers1234]

In terms of speakers, im not sure where the placement would be? behind the remote head under the cd? could i use any speaker? such as get one from walmart? that has the same connector? i have one from radio outlet. its i think 12 watts and is about 4x4x4.

 

[mmckenna]

Placement is an individual vehicle thing. Finding a location for a speaker is almost as hard as finding a location for the radios.
I've seen some mount them on the sides of the center console, but that can be a problem with being in the way of the driver/passenger.
Mounting them on the rear of the console is an option, but rear seat passengers might bump them.
You could try mounting under the seats.

Any speaker will work if it's designed for 8&#937; and the radio has enough power to drive it.

The 1/8 inch mono plug should match both radios.

I've always used the Motorola speakers. They are a bit big, but they have phenomenal sound. You can pick them up cheap on e-Bay, but you'll have to install your own plug. They are a bit big, so may not work in your vehicle.
Smaller ones will work. Walmart speaker would be fine if it sounds good to you.

 

[Delivers1234]

Placement is an individual vehicle thing. Finding a location for a speaker is almost as hard as finding a location for the radios.
I've seen some mount them on the sides of the center console, but that can be a problem with being in the way of the driver/passenger.
Mounting them on the rear of the console is an option, but rear seat passengers might bump them.
You could try mounting under the seats.

Any speaker will work if it's designed for 8&#937; and the radio has enough power to drive it.

The 1/8 inch mono plug should match both radios.

I've always used the Motorola speakers. They are a bit big, but they have phenomenal sound. You can pick them up cheap on e-Bay, but you'll have to install your own plug. They are a bit big, so may not work in your vehicle.
Smaller ones will work. Walmart speaker would be fine if it sounds good to you.

 

[mmckenna]

Very nice.

How does it work? I take it CB performance is better than the 102" whip you had?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Placement is an individual vehicle thing. Finding a location for a speaker is almost as hard as finding a location for the radios.
I've seen some mount them on the sides of the center console, but that can be a problem with being in the way of the driver/passenger.
Mounting them on the rear of the console is an option, but rear seat passengers might bump them.
You could try mounting under the seats.

Any speaker will work if it's designed for 8&#937; and the radio has enough power to drive it.

The 1/8 inch mono plug should match both radios.

I've always used the Motorola speakers. They are a bit big, but they have phenomenal sound. You can pick them up cheap on e-Bay, but you'll have to install your own plug. They are a bit big, so may not work in your vehicle.
Smaller ones will work. Walmart speaker would be fine if it sounds good to you.

Reminds me of a local PD's install requirements in their Explorers. The speaker is to be mounted on the partition wall next to the driver's side headrest (next to his/her left ear). Their primary dispatch talk group is fairly low in activity and curious techs turn the volume up during a radio check (they only do it once).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mmckenna]

Reminds me of a local PD's install requirements in their Explorers. The speaker is to be mounted on the partition wall next to the driver's side headrest (next to his/her left ear). Their primary dispatch talk group is fairly low in activity and curious techs turn the volume up during a radio check (they only do it once).

Ouch.
Our are installed down on the console. We've got a few unmarked cars where it's installed under the seat.

I have a Ford Escape that had a Yaesu FT-7800 in it for a while. I had the speaker under the passenger seat, worked just fine. When I replaced that radio with a CDM-1250, the front speaker on the control head was sufficient in the fairly quiet cabin. In my own personal truck, I've got the big Motorola speakers mounted below the control heads.
I've also got a Polaris Ranger UTV with a CDM-750 in it. The Motorola speaker is loud enough to be heard clearly with a full face helmet on and running down a logging road at 40mph. If I forget to turn it down when I take the helmet off and stop driving, it'll hurt my ears.

Delivery1234, these are ideal:
Motorola HSN4031B Internal/External Speaker #6222 | eBay
or
NEW! Motorola RSN4001A External 13w Speaker w/ Mounting Bracket | eBay

You'll have to install your own 1/8" mono plug on the end. I'm using these on my own truck and UTV. Very durable and way better than any of the truck stop stuff you'll find.

If you need a smaller speaker, these work pretty well:
motorola speaker ham cb external | eBay
I've got two of these mounted in my work truck. It's an extended cab 2007 Chevy Colorado, speakers are mounted to the rear of the center arm rest/console. Plenty loud enough for me. Nice thing is they already have the 1/8" mono plug on the end, you'd just plug them into your radio.

 

[Delivers1234]

Reminds me of a local PD's install requirements in their Explorers. The speaker is to be mounted on the partition wall next to the driver's side headrest (next to his/her left ear). Their primary dispatch talk group is fairly low in activity and curious techs turn the volume up during a radio check (they only do it once).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The whip works way better than the 102 whip. If I had the 102 on my roof...

 

[mmckenna]

The whip works way better than the 102 whip. If I had the 102 on my roof...

That's good to hear.
102" whips are great antennas, but like all, they need a really good ground plane to work well. That's really hard to do on most vehicles.
While the base loaded whips are not technically as good as a full 1/4 wave whip, they are much easier to install on top of the vehicle.
I think you are going to be happy with that setup.

 

[Delivers1234]

That's good to hear.

102" whips are great antennas, but like all, they need a really good ground plane to work well. That's really hard to do on most vehicles.

While the base loaded whips are not technically as good as a full 1/4 wave whip, they are much easier to install on top of the vehicle.

I think you are going to be happy with that setup.

So I have 2 radios. I was thinking aux from CB to car input.

I can't use the b pillars due to the airbag. I don't think under seat would work. ???

 

[mmckenna]

Looks good, same place my dad mounted his radio.

The Aux input for your stereo is designed for a line level input. A CB external speaker output would easily overdrive the input, plus it would mean you couldn't listen to the "good times" radio.

I think you should give the under the seat idea a try. It worked well for me. Might be a little tight under there, but you could try ty-wrapping them in place as a test run.

Under the dash board is another option.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Ouch.
Our are installed down on the console. We've got a few unmarked cars where it's installed under the seat.

I have a Ford Escape that had a Yaesu FT-7800 in it for a while. I had the speaker under the passenger seat, worked just fine. When I replaced that radio with a CDM-1250, the front speaker on the control head was sufficient in the fairly quiet cabin. In my own personal truck, I've got the big Motorola speakers mounted below the control heads.
I've also got a Polaris Ranger UTV with a CDM-750 in it. The Motorola speaker is loud enough to be heard clearly with a full face helmet on and running down a logging road at 40mph. If I forget to turn it down when I take the helmet off and stop driving, it'll hurt my ears.

Delivery1234, these are ideal:
Motorola HSN4031B Internal/External Speaker #6222 | eBay
or
NEW! Motorola RSN4001A External 13w Speaker w/ Mounting Bracket | eBay

You'll have to install your own 1/8" mono plug on the end. I'm using these on my own truck and UTV. Very durable and way better than any of the truck stop stuff you'll find.

If you need a smaller speaker, these work pretty well:
motorola speaker ham cb external | eBay
I've got two of these mounted in my work truck. It's an extended cab 2007 Chevy Colorado, speakers are mounted to the rear of the center arm rest/console. Plenty loud enough for me. Nice thing is they already have the 1/8" mono plug on the end, you'd just plug them into your radio.

I've got the mine mounted under the dash dead center (I have a split bench) on my 2013 Sierra. Eventually I'll be changing the setup in that pickup and adding another Astro Spectra Plus (I've got everything I need minus the console). Probably will use dual speakers in the console. I've found in that pickup (75 mph is a little noisy) it would be better to have mounted the speaker facing up instead of the bench/center console. Perhaps even overhead but those mounts are rare on that body (thinking about it for my 1999 Cherokee).

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, my work truck rarely gets going that fast. Occasional trips across the state, but I'm usually out of my radio system coverage. Usually it's much slower. The truck is nearly 10 years old and it's got just 25,000 miles on it. Working on swapping it out for a full size here next budget cycle. Too much crap to carry with me, and not enough secured space in the small truck.

Maybe mixing audio together and using one speaker would be a good solution. At least you'd only have to mount one speaker in the prime location.

 

[Delivers1234]

Yeah, my work truck rarely gets going that fast. Occasional trips across the state, but I'm usually out of my radio system coverage. Usually it's much slower. The truck is nearly 10 years old and it's got just 25,000 miles on it. Working on swapping it out for a full size here next budget cycle. Too much crap to carry with me, and not enough secured space in the small truck.

Maybe mixing audio together and using one speaker would be a good solution. At least you'd only have to mount one speaker in the prime location.

How would I mix?

 

[mmckenna]

How would I mix?

For you, I'd just do two speakers.

W5PKY has a more complex system. With commercial radios, like his Motorola's, you can take a fixed level audio output off the back of the radio, run it through a small mixer, like one of these: ST-PA6 &#x2010; 6 W Mono Audio Amplifier - 8 &#937;


You could do something similar with your setup, but you'd have to convert your speaker level outputs down to a line level, then mix and amplify them again. Sort of a pain the butt for two radios. Probably be easier to just install two small speakers.