Any MECP certified posters? If so, what level??

My goal is to someday own the gold lvl cert - hardly anyone has one, and I wanna have my own shop.

 

....ok I am gonna bite. Whats MECP?

 

http://www.ce.org/certifications/mecp/default.asp

 

I was certified back around 1997 but never renewed because there was no point. Back then their certification levels were structured differently, but I was certified on the regular level.

 

I'd like to be certified...

I'd love to install car audio. I was thinkin' about getting a p/t job installing for some crappy wage (since beginner installers make JACK) and then when I get up to installer/master then actually make that my "job".

I wanna own my own shop someday. I'm addicted to audio!!

 

Start out doing installs for your friends. Do a good job and take pictures. THe more custom work the better. Spend a good amount of time with fiberglass. Once you get a sizable portfolio and a MECP certification a shop should hire you for a pretty good wage. Do a good job and it won't take long for you to move up.

 

I am certified Basic Level (#35556)

I can't upgrade because I need >1yr verifyable experience with a pro shop. I would like to have ASE too, but they don't even let you test without verifiable experience.

Most shop owners will agree, MECP doesn't make you good installer. They want productivity and EXPERIENCE. MECP is not a bad start because it shows that you care and there is some good information in the book.

I would agree that CEA doesn't include everything in that little study guide. Most installers don't care about power formaulas or terminology. Few come even close to understanding the principles behind electronics and most don't care.

At least CEA makes an attempt to set a standard for the Mobile electronics industry. I read the study guide cover to cover and everything they said is accurate, more than what I can say for what comes out of some installer's mouths.

I will admit that anyone who works in a shop can out wire me with just about any automobile since they do it everyday. The difference with me, is that I can hook something up the first time without having to fix it again or wonder why it isn't working later.

I realized mobile electronics, even as a part time job, wasn't for me. I was surprized at how little some of these guys knew about electronics even though they installed them everyday. After working with electronic communications systems on Navy ships, A.A.S. degree in computer electronics and several other certifications and technical experience; I have little patience for someone who feels the need to explain to me how to wire subs. I don't need an explaination, especially from someone who doesn't even know what "impedence matching" entails.

I would rather just keep my MECP card in my wallet to show those who would like to see it. I respect the GOOD installers who know what's up and can do nice custom work. There aren't enough of those guys out there.

Like stiers says, be well rounded. do fiberglass, MDF and use good tools. Don't be an idiot and spend $10,000 for a snap-on tool chest and rip-off MAC tools. Get a good strong 18v drill, some tips and buy more craftsmen drawers and tools, shop around alot too. Some guys are suckers and get 'tooled' by the tool guy, when that truck shows up, just say "no thank you, I don't need anything today." There is hardly anything those guys have that you can't get anywhere else for less than half price. Remember: you are not a mechanic.......you don't make anything near the same money a mechanic makes.......you CAN survive with Craftsmen and Home Depot tools. Just remember, those guys do some extreemly fast installs on many different vehicles. It's not like you have a few extra minutes to check it out or decide the best way. They want you to get it doen and get the next one done...all at the same time! If you can do security, vidio and GPS as well as stereo, you are much more valuable to a shop. And if you want to make some more cash...do some window tinting.


And to those guys who insist on FLUKE multimeters......give it up, you are not a real tech, a $25 craftmen will do everything you need it to in mobile electronics. If you want to spend $400 on a meter, at least get a digital O-scope, you can do alot more with it.

 

what about the ASE electronics/electrical cert. ?

I read an artical in 11/2003 Mobile electronics about how shops need to stop offering 'free installs' and other gimicks. Customers will begin to expect a teenager working for minimum wages to install electronics into thier expensive and complicated automobiles. That is just wrong, good installations require skilled people. The artical mentioned that some shops are leaning towards ASE and MECP for all installers. Just as interesting, they are charging more per hour, but charging an hourly 'per-vehicle' rate which is more fair to the customer and the shop........not to mention the installer.

I would like to see the MECP or someone else establish a certification program which requires a 'hands-on' test to go along with the multiple choice test. Both of my Fiber optic certs were like this, make a splice, connector...use an OTDR,FOS and FOM pass/fail...then take the test. At least if I ever work with fiber, I can say I've actually worked with it before!

 

It was that same for my CTEC course.. A+ certifiable, and lots and lots of hands on experience. Personally that is one of the best teachers..

Some theory to keep you knowing why you are doing what you are doing.

All the theory I took in my CORE course for the CTEC course applies to the MECP in so many ways.

Too bad I have forgotten most of it in the world of plotters and printing troubleshooting.

I would love to spend all day working on stereos, GPS systems, alarms and so on.

I think I would actually enjoy going to work every day.

 

yeah, i agree that best buy/circuit city and others SHOULD do away with hack job free installs.

i cannot count the amount of cars that i pull apart that have crimp connected harnesses/ t-taps, and then i think, "What if the average joe KNEW what the difference was."

Even if i cannot hit a price with a customer, i still highly recommend against someone letting best buy and the like from work on their cars.

 

It gets old like any thing man. It’s cool to see all the new stuff that is coming out and watching the high-end technology stuff work it’s way down thought the ranks. But like anything it gets old when you do it 8 hours a day 5 days a week year after year.

This is an old thread.

 

MECP certified first class right here.

 

i've been meaning to take the test for the last 2 or 3 years now, but school keeps getting in the way. i did however take the ASE test (the lowly parts specialist one) earlier this month, so lets hope that went well.

MECP looks good to companies because it shows you have at least a hint of what you're supposed to do. however, what would look even better is if you have a good demo car (most likely your own) of some of the stuff you know. i like to think my car should/someday show this (custom amp rack, kickpods, custom sub box, stealth install, etc). too many rough edges for me to show of my skills, but someday....

 

im certified, first level.

 

Well it may get old. As you said, anything does.

But I have been in the computer field for long enough. Doing tech support on the phones is like working every day with your eyes closed and your hands tied.

At least with installing mobile electronics, I can actually be doing a task :P

 

I'd like to get certified. I did the custom stuff in my bird and had some people want me to do stuff for them for pretty good cash. I installed a buddies dvd player in his truck and have a guy who wants me to hook up his new system. He's had the stuff laying around i helped him pick out the pieces. So tonight he see's my new system with absolutely no wires showing that pounds all to hell and decided to have me do his box and install. He wanted to do it himself becasue i am charging him for the labor but he loved my work. It really is fun to install this stuff i'm almost considering goign to quality auto sound jsut for screw around money.