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

 

[Grasshopper]

gakman,

That's awesome!! I love your creativity.

 

[AvroAero]

I'm thinking take the door off, and shave down the tabs a bit, then put a plate in there in place of the black dome. Would make getting the back light circuit easy.
Want to put strobe controls, and a switch and indicator for high idle. And move the current switch up there. Thinking I'll use those aviation style ones and get different colored covers for color maybe. Colors and location will determine which ones are which.





the temp switch for strobes and the get out of my way button.

Theres inner and outer, can't catch em together though.:shootout:

 

[gakman]

What is this compartment for?

My opinion is that this is the perfect spot for your control panel. It is large enough and is in the correct spot when you are driving. Really cool flipping overhead switches - like when you get into a jet

Why don't you pull this panel out and snap some pictures of the back?

 

[gakman]

And tell me about that DVD screen.... Looks like I need one too

 

[AvroAero]

Thats a sunglasses compartment. I use it, although come the situation I could ditch em. It is in the better position and give more room. I was thinking the jet idea too, already excited to use them lol.

The DVD screen is actually pretty good. It's made by a company called Coolnavi thats a part of Coolsat. If your in the free to air satilite world you'll know the brand. I'm Canadian, FTA sat is my shinnanigans.

It has quite a bit of options. Has a movie player, GPS, music player, FM transmitter, aux out, and two aux video in for cameras/other players. When I put the two ambers in the rear I'm going to make a box that is going to mount on the top of the window inside the back. I'll be mounting the night vision camera I have back there at the same time and hook it up to this thing. The angle is a bit shallow that I can only see an inch before the hitch but good for extra reference.

Only its foriegn made so the instructions aren't the greatest and their drivers/OS are their own and don't follow typical standards. Example, the maps are on a flash card, thats custom designed and won't be read by anything else. But the other SD card slot for like you music and movies is normal drivers. A flaw, but I got it for cheap so. After using it for a while I like it more.

The mount I made for it is beefy as the frame. I used 1/4 steel from 1/4 1x1 angle. What I had lying around. Lots of cutting and welding. It's fully adjustable and rock solid, won't move unless you hit rumble strips. Removable too, otherwise the dash would of been permanent after that.

I'll get some pics soon, my dad took the truck north to work on his motorhome.

http://www.coolsatusa.com/inc.php?inc=pro_navi700

Every once and a while the GPS freezes when your inputing an address, not that big a deal though.