12v installers show off your tool setups

[NJHandyGuy]

Any more I thought this site would have a bunch

 

[quattroJoe]

Any more I thought this site would have a bunch

I used to do 12v, but unfortunately don't have any pics of my setup. It's all still around in one place or another, but most of the specialized stuff is at home now, and the general electrical tools, hand tools, and power tools have migrated into a larger auto tech setup. I sure do miss the work though, I really enjoy DC electrical and custom work.

 

[Palmer812]

Who makes those 2 sets?

Sorry just saw this. It is Mac model RR 52-kit

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Any more

 

[jahn]

Very nice

 

[FigureItOut]

Any more

I recently finished my mobile set-up, I need to empty everything and clean it out so I'll get you some detailed pics. I rarely do audio, I do remote starts and backup cameras retail and a little bit for dealers, multi camera systems for commercial vehicles and equipment, RVs etc., and I'm just starting to get some municipal work.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[NJHandyGuy]

come on figureitout still waiting

 

[FigureItOut]

come on figureitout still waiting

Shoot I forgot, I'll do it this afternoon.

 

[Brownsfan]

One of these days I will get around to it. I have the Shop(home) and mobile. Im in the middle of moving so the shop box is in a pod as we speak

 

[Richard Cranium]

I knew a guy who had his own business installing 12 volt accessories. He was busy for several years, but his market all but dried up as cell phones didn't need to be installed into cars any more. Plus a Motorola dealer moved into town and took all the law enforcement work from him. Then the fire Dept put in their own electronics shop. So he closed it all down.

 

[OCD]

I install 70 volt commercial sound systems, and do all my own 12v stuff...

Main tool bag,

Tone generator, and **** in for checking signals,

Connectors, screws, lag bolts, etc,

My favorite work tool, the scissor lift!!

 

[OCD]

Hope install pics are ok to post too!!

Stereo I put in my car,

Lol, these things pound...

Extra battery and amps,

Power and grounds,

Heat shrink and solder on every connection!!

 

[Aqua-Andy]

As someone that spent many years in dealerships, I have had to deal with way too many ****** 12V installs. The issue is when a customer comes in with a remote starter or anything else aftermarket installed in the car it just makes diag that much more complex. Another issue is who pays for the diag and repair? If you spend an hour diag on a security light and the remote starter is at fault, warranty will not pay for the repair and good luck getting reimbursed from the installer. Also as a dealer tech you are familiar with the OEM systems and have no info on the aftermarket installed accessories. Some of these systems just make it a pain in the *** to diag a vehicle that warranty may only pay you .3/h to repair. A Lot of the issues would come from the the service writers just informing the customer that if the aftermarket accessory was found at fault that the fault will not be covered under there warranty and they will be responsible for any incurred costs. At this time the customer usually gets pissed off and storms out then goes to the aftermarket installer and tells them the dealer told them three accessory was at fault. Once again, factory warranty will only pay for issues caused by a factory caused fault. Customers just need to realise that when they have a vehicle modified by a third party, warranty repairs will become more complicated. Just a little rant from the other side.

 

[Bobcat753]

Here is my setup. Main box and my portable kit that contains 60% of the tools I use on installs. I primarily do emergency/warning lights. I would love a full time job doing this but side work will have to do for now.

 

[Bobcat753]

More pics of main box.

 

[Bobcat753]

Last set of pics, plus some new additions!

 

[OCD]

Nice set up Bobcat!!

 

[Brownsfan]

As someone that spent many years in dealerships, I have had to deal with way too many ****** 12V installs. The issue is when a customer comes in with a remote starter or anything else aftermarket installed in the car it just makes diag that much more complex. Another issue is who pays for the diag and repair? If you spend an hour diag on a security light and the remote starter is at fault, warranty will not pay for the repair and good luck getting reimbursed from the installer. Also as a dealer tech you are familiar with the OEM systems and have no info on the aftermarket installed accessories. Some of these systems just make it a pain in the *** to diag a vehicle that warranty may only pay you .3/h to repair. A Lot of the issues would come from the the service writers just informing the customer that if the aftermarket accessory was found at fault that the fault will not be covered under there warranty and they will be responsible for any incurred costs. At this time the customer usually gets pissed off and storms out then goes to the aftermarket installer and tells them the dealer told them three accessory was at fault. Once again, factory warranty will only pay for issues caused by a factory caused fault. Customers just need to realise that when they have a vehicle modified by a third party, warranty repairs will become more complicated. Just a little rant from the other side.

All I was saying is don't point the finger without even pulling the car in. Or lying to a customer and say if you put a remote start in your warranty is voided. Yes there many hacks in the 12v install industry. But there are many more who do great work. You know why it seems like you see more hack work? That's because when it's done right it doesn't cause issues and you don't even know it's there. Also my favorite line is. We can't trouble shoot it properly with the aftermarket system installed. My question is how come they can't but I can? I have gotten so good over the years at electrical trouble shooting from proving it wasn't my fault. Now I have my ASE A6 and do sub contract work for many local independent shops doing electrical trouble shooting.

 

[Bobcat753]

Nice set up Bobcat!!

Thank You for the compliment!

 

[FigureItOut]

come on figureitout still waiting

Alright OP, sorry. I shouldn't have said WHEN I was going to do it. I really needed to clean and organize. I'm just blown away sometimes at how much stuff my Veto bag will swallow. Anyway I got pics of my mobile setup, which will cover about %99 of anything I come across, sometimes I might grab the full Torx master kit, extra sockets, or a bigger drill and cutters, or a ladder.

Here is the setup ready to work:

Trim side:

Electrical side:

Contents of the bag:

Then the drawers.

Sockets, my main sockets are the GP 1/4" deep well magnetics, I have a few select Torx, hex, 3/8", and shallow 1/4":

Wrenches, extensions, 1/4" and 3/8" breakers, drills:

Relays, switches, resistors, diodes, fuses etc:

Soldering supplies:

Other testers and meters:

Here's a few details of my little cart setup. I love this thing. I've noticed guys at other shops look at it kinda funny, until they see the work flow with it. First pic is how it's broken for travel, it sets up in about 90 seconds.

Oh, here's my power:

Supplies:

And stock (very low):

 

[FigureItOut]

And just for the hell of it, here's a pic for a Facebook promo I'm doing.

 

[Brownsfan]

Nice choice in products you sell. Looks similar to what I'm using. Those entry level compustar remote starts are awesome for the money. Reliable and great profit margin potential. I'm up to my neck in remote start installations and for some reason right now GPS tracking installs. Those have really increased so far this month.

 

[FigureItOut]

Nice choice in products you sell. Looks similar to what I'm using. Those entry level compustar remote starts are awesome for the money. Reliable and great profit margin potential.

Yeah, I'm pretty much fully switched to Compustar after meeting them in Dallas. The entry level stuff is great as you say. I still love Code though. The higher tier Compu is just awesome though. That 7200 brain is so versatile, I can't remember if I've ever used a relay or diode with one. I do have their better remotes, but I cannot sell those things to save my life, or the Idatastart HC3 Flex. I didn't know you used much Compustar, it seems more retail oriented to me.

 

[signcrafter]

Have you guys done a t11 remote yet? I just had one put on the new truck and love it. Have the 901 on the car and it's nice but the range on the t11 is a lot more. Was on one end of the mall the other week and the truck was at the other end and it started no problem.

 

[FigureItOut]

Have you guys done a t11 remote yet? I just had one put on the new truck and love it. Have the 901 on the car and it's nice but the range on the t11 is a lot more. Was on one end of the mall the other week and the truck was at the other end and it started no problem.

What did you pay for your T11 if you don't mind me asking? I have just one 901 in stock and I suspect I'll have it a while. It's hard to justify the super long range remotes when one can get telematics with unlimited range for much cheaper.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have done one. On a new Honda Odyssey. I guess it's for someone who wants a lot of range without a monthly/yearly bill. It's a nice remote but kinda bulky. The 7200.is probably the most versatile on the market. I do want to try the new Audiovox procore unit. It's one module like the compustar but can be configured to be an alarm/start, start or just alarm. With their version of the blade. It's a little pricey. The 7200 low current harness is just freaking awesome. These units make the cleanest installs. I did one not to long ago in a 16 Camry and challenged the Toyota tech to find the unit. Mind you it's not the smallest unit. It took him 10 minutes and I even left the dash apart. Lol.

 

[Brownsfan]

Oh and I didn't personally test the range but the owner started it with confirmation back from Quicken loans arena into the indoor parking garage at the Jack casino. Probably a mile away but the garage is below ground and there is a ton of rf interference I'm sure. I have NEVER had a range complaint from any compustar product. I am also almost compustar exclusive. But actually have been doing some directed as a entry level 2 way. Been pretty solid. And cheaper.

 

[FigureItOut]

When you use Directed are you usually using ADS or Fortin modules and 2 way D2D?

 

[Brownsfan]

Both. With no issues. It's funny but I only use ADS/FLASHLOGIC and Fortin modules. I don't even own a directed programming tool for their modules. But have had zero data issues with these modules and directed remote start units.

 

[FigureItOut]

Good to know, I'm a little Leary of DEI product in general but I think I should get a couple starters for the people who want the name. They're not gonna care what the module is I suppose.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

aint been on in a while any more somehow i am essential keeping cop cars wired