My 2nd mod: No more dangle cables

[gakman]

I don't know about you guys but I have gadgets that I mount towards the upper edge of the windshield. I like to have the GPS on the upper left side so I can get to it with my left hand; I also like to mount my radar detector high to catch the hits earlier.

Previously I would have all these cables run to the back of the rear view mirror and then dangle down to catch the cigarette lighter socket on the console, which then would have a 3-way splitter for 3 devices. Yes it is geek cool but quite messy.

My mod number 3 is installing some mini 12V sockets on the overhead console so all these devices can be plugged overhead with no dangle cables.

Well, I know it is not for everyone but I like it.



I found these connectors/bases which is much smaller than those obnoxious cigarette lighter sockets.






I only need to plug 3 devices but I put in 4 while I am at it (just in case I want to get an Auto Suck later)

 

[ELVATO]

My X50 is hardwired, with the mute button down by the console

But what you did is pretty cool.

 

[AvroAero]

Wana come work on my truck?
I've gota make a terminal for a set of strobes.

 

[gakman]

Anytime Avro, just come get me in your 105, I am happy to pack my soldering iron and spend a weekend up there with you doing fun geeky things

BTW, thinking about aviation, when I was designing that 'gadget control panel', I was deciding what kind of switches to use, I almost went to these babies. I see these in Top Gun movies since I was a kid and I always thought that was so cool to "flip the cover and engage". And you can get them in all kinds of fun colors.

 

[AvroAero]

I have one on me right now, I'm going to use them for the rest of the strobes I have. I got em at a electronic variety store. You can find em quite a few places, if you I can get you some as I need to get a few more. The one I have has a backlight for the switch too. Only I'm not sure if I'll be able to wire it so the light comes on when the switch is on. Have to test it with a meter, as the two share a common ground/supply.

I like how when the cover closes it turns off the switch too.

What color are those visor lights anyways?

 

[gakman]

Thanks but I have decided to use the lighted square buttons. They allow me to put graphics on them, as I did here.


The visor has red and blue LEDs and they look great. I got some strobes too and they are going in the 4 corners (have not installed that yet).

Wait till I am done with all my "mods" my Expy will light up like a christmas tree. Now I have no efing idea why I have them or how I will use them but I am just happy that they are there at my disposal. I suppose if my cat gets run over by a bicycle I can take her to the animal hospital running code 3.

I am not law enforcement nor a firefighter so I am really not allowed to use these. But I am in the military and I can talk my way out if I ever get caught using them. Federal trumps local anyday.

 

[AvroAero]

Love it, very professional. What did you use to get those graphics there?
I've got two sound off predator 2s in the front behind the grille, red-red. I've got 2 wheelen 500 LED blue, 4 wheelen 500 super-led amber, and a wheelen hideaway kit (all needs to be installed).

Don't use em that much, just need to know when is appropriate. Was in a funeral line in a small town without escort so I used them to keep the line from getting disorganized. Just looking at them is good enough for me. Almost want the PA system like the one you've got but I'm not sure how far I wana push it.

I need to figure out where to make one, my console doesn't run into the dash. I was thinking take out the garage door opener thing in the overhead console and work in there.

same idea but beige interior. any ideas? Need the center console for work papers.

 

[gakman]

Oh man, you have as many toys as I have! Glad to know that I am not the only code 3 psycho in North America! Those Wheelen are professional stuff and sure nice but big bucks!

To answer your question, the graphics was the easiest part, I just drew them up on the computer, then printed them on a clear transparent film (that is made for laser printers), then just cut them out and stuck them on the buttons. In my case since I used these square buttons, the color (red, amber, green) part is actually a colored "cap" that goes over a white lighted part, so all I had to do was sandwich the film in between and voila, done. No glue, no mess.

I will try to give you some ideas/suggestions if you can snap a picture of your overhead console so I know what it looks like.

 

[gakman]

While you are at it, snap a picture of that (space) between the 2 bucket seats, where the cup holders are, can't tell if you have a console there or not?

 

[AvroAero]

thats it, this camera is ******* me off so much. i'll get em tomorrow. took some pics of the strobes too