The reason I'm asking is because I have little experience with alarms.

I'm not afraid of an alarm install, I think I would do perfectly fine. I have lots of experience with cars and I have a solid electronics background, lets just say that chapter 1 in the MECP bronze book was an easy read. I've worked on computer networks and shipboard communications equipment much more complex than any automotive alarm will ever be.

I was bummed out because I took a job at a local stereo shop on a 'trial basis'. The shop foreman thought I was a great worker and needed minimal help to keep up. I did a few trouble shooting jobs for customer's warranties and a couple easy amp installs. Most of the other guys don't seem to understand what my background is and why I don't need to be explained everything about wiring......just tell me "parallel' or "series," don't use kid's talk: "positive to positive" or even worse: "red to red." I know how to impedence match. I always ask if I didn't wire the box in these situations.

I'm a tech, I just thought automotive electronics installation would be a cool job until I'm done with my AAS degree. these guys offered me $7.50/hour to start. I'm not sure what the average tech makes, but I would feel extreemly uncomfortable having my $45,000 SUV being worked on by someone making just over minimum wages.

my limitation seems to be alarms, although I work with people who cannot read resistor color codes, or use any electronics terminology. I do not understand the big deal about an alarm system, I'm sure it's just terrible if you don't know what you're doing and won't even read the directions.

I'll even do an alarm system for free just to prove to world that is is no big deal and common sense and electronics skills can be applied anywhere, a job reference would be great too. ....However, I do believe some alarms have an EEPROM which I can not program myself. Maybee I could do some funky circuits with BOSCH relays and use generic remote controls circuits, just enough to do a remote start and other things.


any advice appreaciated. I will have my MECP soon (most pro's think it's meaningless, but it certainly can't hurt), I will do installs out of my own garage much like I've been doing other electrical and mechanical work, but I would like to work at a shop full time and let someone else do the selling!

 

well, dude,if you just really like a lot of headaches,and a career with really lame pay,welcome to the mobile electronics profession! as for doing installs in your garage,better get a business license and some sort of insurance. if something happens or you get blamed for something(it's ALWAYS the alarm's fault,ya know, even when the muffler falls off!),you could be outta business fast. the hours are long,and you can definitely forget about any more 45,000.00 suv purchases. it was different in the 1980's when audio was the#1 mod to do to any car.if you still are considering it,you must be a glutton for punishment( i've worked in this insanity since 1984)

 

I make $19.50 an hour at Motorola just installing 2-way radios and both Police lights and Sirens. So some installers make decent money, I think.

 

i'm not saying you can't make money in the install world,i make good money but i've been in the game forever and that kinda dictates the pay scheme (or scam, as the case may be ). i'm sure with this man's training in electronics, he could do a lot better in different field for less effort.

 

Doing car stereo installs in my opinion is a hobby, it's a great weekend hobby but to do it for a living sucks.

 

No need for alarm schematics any longer. I jumped on one today, it was just a viper 650 w/ basic features......except for the door lock actuators. I'll think twice next time before taking a job with actuators. Not that I can't do those, but it's not an every day practice for me.

I had no trouble at all doing the wiring. The manager asked me "who showed you how to wire the relays?"

"No one," I said...

Infact, the whole wiring job and getting it to work, was not hard at all. I could have saved some time, but that's part of the learning process.

The challenge here, is that the installs must be done fast, I'm too much of a perfectionist for this job! I can have an engine/trans out in under 20 minutes but can't install a HU in under 20 minutes....what's wrong with this picture?

BTW: I don't have a $45K SUV. what I meant was that: I was offered minimum wage to start based on my mobile electronics 'experience'. I lauged because I would be working on peoples vehicles and installing electronics worth thousands......how would you feel if someone was working for minimum wages and working on your car?


you really don't need to know anything about electron flow or what a cathode or anode is, to install, most installers match colors and follow the diagrams or 'trail and error' until the system works the way it should.

I really should find a real career, but even my skills are outdated, electronics are throw away items and Tidewater is not the place to find a good paying job.