Install Hall of Shame...

Blaine B.

Jesus, that's some scary lookin chit!

PTR-Jason

I figured I will rat myself out on an \"install\" i just did to my truck to get me by until I get all the stuff I need to install my SmartVector and the TIR3s in the \"Correct\" spot.

I have an 06 F-150, and F-150s have the shallow storage area on the dash. I currently have a Uniden BCT8 scanner that fits perfect in there width wise.

Well I had these 4 TIR3s laying around (ok, more like set in a box) and decided I liked my half arse idea of velcroing two to the top of the scanner. Well I wired them up, with wires just hanging down the dash to a 12v DC plug and synced them up. They work great, just look like crap, but oh well, as long as they work!!

I also plan on putting the other two, sand wiched behind the rear headrests and the windows, ran to the same accessory plug. But that will be later tonight maybe. State law requires 360*, so I will need to put the rear on soon.

Yeah I know I did bad Embarassed

but I needed something. And I am not going to buy another light, and waste the money on sowmthing temporary, when I still need to buy a SmartSiren, and HLF for my truck to finish the install.

Blaine B.

It's too cold to mount anything right in this weather. -4 now in Munster.....how wonderful.

PTR-Jason

[quote:d77abe4825=\"Blaine B.\"]It's too cold to mount anything right in this weather. -4 now in Munster.....how wonderful.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 10:29 Post subject:

I thought this the best spot to post this. While it has nothing to do with emergancy equipment installs it's certainly an install hazard.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 10:31 Post subject:

I think a good title for that pic is How to kill 3 idiots at once

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 12:30 Post subject:

I would say that will be quite a shocking discovery. To think they feel smart yet you can't scrape the dumb off the forehead.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 15:40 Post subject:

would it really be that big a loss?

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 16:51 Post subject:

Aren't those type of outlets protected? I remember seeing it on Mythbusters...i thought the only thing that would kill you in the bathtub was a hairdryer or toaster. Because they didn't have the grounding terminal on the plug? I don't exactly remember.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 18:07 Post subject:

It would probably still give you a little shock, either way I wouldn't test it.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 18:23 Post subject:

Potential Darwin awards

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 19:11 Post subject:

Well I added to my \"as long as it works\" install to get me by until I get all of my set up to do a complete install. In addition to the two Whelen TIR3s VELCROED to the BCT8 scanner in the middle of my dash and ran to a plug-in plug, I was able to put the other two TIR3s, sandwiched, very tightly behind the rear headrests in the supercab. I ran three wires, about 2.5 feet long, +, -, and sync between them, and then ran the + and - from one side, under the center console, to the same plug that is working the front. I zip tied the two long wires together and then added butt connectors in the center so I can slide them under the center console. It looks ugly as sin and worse than any photos on here. But all I care about right now is having the front and rear to comply with the 360* rule. This is nothing permanent and I plan on only using it for maybe two weeks to a month until I can get a cheap SmartSiren. I really really REALLY need to clean my truck out, or I would take some photos but I just have way too much crap in the backseat.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 20:35 Post subject:

PTR-Jason, from the sound of it you only have 180* coverage, nothing to the sides. maybe you can duct tape an extra TIR3 to each side window just to complete your install. actually use masking tape, less likely to leave residue.

Posted: Fri 25-Jan-2008 22:19 Post subject: Re:

[quote:e8db7aa222=\"PTR-Jason\"] In addition to the two Whelen TIR3s VELCROED to the BCT8 scanner in the middle of my dash and ran to a plug-in plug, I was able to put the other two TIR3s, sandwiched, very tightly behind the rear headrests in the supercab.

Posted: Sat 26-Jan-2008 02:57 Post subject:

LOL it works, had a chance to use it again tonight, and as far as 360, you can see the front leds, off axis from the side of the truck, and if you get near the rear past the c pillar you can see the rear LEDs. Hey I am not proud of it why do you think I ratted myself out and put it in the hall of shame?

Posted: Sat 26-Jan-2008 09:53 Post subject: Re:

[quote=\" Hey I am not proud of it why do you think I ratted myself out and put it in the hall of shame? [/quote] Because you like pain!

Posted: Sat 26-Jan-2008 15:11 Post subject: Re:

[quote:57b8dbb931=\"PTR-Jason\"]LOL it works, had a chance to use it again tonight, and as far as 360, you can see the front leds, off axis from the side of the truck, and if you get near the rear past the c pillar you can see the rear LEDs. Hey I am not proud of it why do you think I ratted myself out and put it in the hall of shame?

Posted: Tue 29-Jan-2008 00:20 Post subject: Re:

[quote:2a796688de=\"PTR-Jason\"]Well I added to my \"as long as it works\" install to get me by until I get all of my set up to do a complete install. In addition to the two Whelen TIR3s VELCROED to the BCT8 scanner in the middle of my dash and ran to a plug-in plug, I was able to put the other two TIR3s, sandwiched, very tightly behind the rear headrests in the supercab. I ran three wires, about 2.5 feet long, +, -, and sync between them, and then ran the + and - from one side, under the center console, to the same plug that is working the front. I zip tied the two long wires together and then added butt connectors in the center so I can slide them under the center console. It looks ugly as sin and worse than any photos on here. But all I care about right now is having the front and rear to comply with the 360* rule. This is nothing permanent and I plan on only using it for maybe two weeks to a month until I can get a cheap SmartSiren. I really really REALLY need to clean my truck out, or I would take some photos but I just have way too much crap in the backseat.

Posted: Sat 2-Feb-2008 12:23 Post subject:

hate to burst your bubble jason but indiana does not require 360 degree coverage..

Posted: Sat 2-Feb-2008 16:45 Post subject:

I'm currently rewiring the console of one of squads at work. What a headache. There are literally wires everywhere. Some don't even connect to anything and I have no idea their purpose. Most of the connectors that were used in the install are noninsulated. I've started going through it, getting rid of wiring that is unnecessary and attempting to rewire it in a manner that makes some sort of sense. Then I cracked open the console to the back-up squad... It is even worse than the first squad. I can't even begin to follow the original installers thought process. There is no way I'm going to be able to make everything nice but hopefully I'll be able to bring some sort of organization to it. I'll post pics of the \"after\" once I get to it.

Posted: Sat 2-Feb-2008 16:51 Post subject:

our old deputy chief (they finally got enough common sense in the department to boot him) used to leave a good length of wire hanging from under the dash, in case something would light on fire...and it did...the one night we were on a call and one of the members noticed smoke rolling from under the dash...so...he pulled three or four of the wires to shut the system off

Posted: Sat 2-Feb-2008 19:28 Post subject: Re:

[quote:cf34babcbc=\"bigcat\"]I'm currently rewiring the console of one of squads at work. What a headache. There are literally wires everywhere. Some don't even connect to anything and I have no idea their purpose. Most of the connectors that were used in the install are noninsulated. I've started going through it, getting rid of wiring that is unnecessary and attempting to rewire it in a manner that makes some sort of sense. Then I cracked open the console to the back-up squad... It is even worse than the first squad. I can't even begin to follow the original installers thought process. There is no way I'm going to be able to make everything nice but hopefully I'll be able to bring some sort of organization to it. I'll post pics of the \"after\" once I get to it.

Posted: Sun 3-Feb-2008 22:06 Post subject:

Here�s another one to add to the hall of shame. We ran into this while installing a new green command beacon. We are getting ready to outfit there new chiefs vehicle and will get pics up as soon as possible. I can�t tell you how many quick taps, incorrect wire sizes, circuits unprotected not to mention the main 2 gauge that ran across the engine bay and top of the engine with no main fuse. If you disconnect the main power there are still multiple cables that are still powered, the headlight flasher kept blowing its fuse and which power was taped into the car harness incorrectly, the radios were jammed and pinching wires in the console, we moved everything just to run a single wire into the console and stuff was shorting out. None of the wires were zip tied down anywhere in the vehicle. We pulled the headliner down and tons of cable just coiled and thrown up there. Panel clips were broken. It was a mess; we are working with the department to come up with a plan to fix this disaster.

Posted: Sun 3-Feb-2008 22:38 Post subject:

That is a shame to see an explorer in that condition!

Posted: Mon 4-Feb-2008 02:12 Post subject: Re:

[quote:2e83792525=\"1989gtablown632\"]Here�s another one to add to the hall of shame. We ran into this while installing a new green command beacon. We are getting ready to outfit there new chiefs vehicle and will get pics up as soon as possible. I can�t tell you how many quick taps, incorrect wire sizes, circuits unprotected not to mention the main 2 gauge that ran across the engine bay and top of the engine with no main fuse. If you disconnect the main power there are still multiple cables that are still powered, the headlight flasher kept blowing its fuse and which power was taped into the car harness incorrectly, the radios were jammed and pinching wires in the console, we moved everything just to run a single wire into the console and stuff was shorting out. None of the wires were zip tied down anywhere in the vehicle. We pulled the headliner down and tons of cable just coiled and thrown up there. Panel clips were broken. It was a mess; we are working with the department to come up with a plan to fix this disaster.

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