XM Radio Install

[Aaron94]

I'm doing some searching on the net, but i thought i would ask if anyone has done this? Everything on the Pioneer XM unit install seems pretty straightforward, except what to do with the power wire. The instructions specifically say not to pass the wire thru to the engine bay to connect to the battery, which doenst make sense? its got only a 2 Amp fuse on it, so it must not carry much load. Think i can just tap it into the power wire for my pioneer head unit that goes to the battery? Using a good butt conection of course, no janky electrical tape...

Anyone out there added XM themselves and been thru this?

Maybe we could add a new forum for A/V install tech on the boards? :thumbsup:

[Firme]

here is a good product to use so you don't have to splice into anything.

http://www.sportys.com/shoptool/information/products/Mini_Blade_Add_a_Circuit_Fuse_Holder.html

here is more pics and an actual install

http://www.acurainspired.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=846

otherwise, let me know and I will post the schematics and wiring diagrams for the MACH 460 so you can tap into a power wire going to the Mach headunit.

[Aaron94]

thats a cool little fuse maker! i like it. Whats the power wire option you were talking about though? i dont have the mach system, my car never had it. i have a pioneer premeir head unit. the wire for the XM is already fused, so i was thinking i can just piggyback the XM wire on the power lead for the head unit, after the fuse thats already on it?

[Firme]

Originally posted by Aaron94
thats a cool little fuse maker! i like it. Whats the power wire option you were talking about though? i dont have the mach system, my car never had it. i have a pioneer premeir head unit. the wire for the XM is already fused, so i was thinking i can just piggyback the XM wire on the power lead for the head unit, after the fuse thats already on it?

Hmm.. well you can Y off of the head unit power, but you might have to fuse it after the Y and up the rating on the originating fuse if you keep blowing the originatnig fuse


like this

30-----------Head Unit

................... -----30----head unit
60(or 50?)---/
................. \
................... ------30--- xm

note, I'm not a electrical guru, so my numbers for the fuse rating might be totally out of wack..

[Aaron94]

The XM only needs a 2A fuse, so i think i am just going to tap into the existing power wire and see what happens... hopefully the car wont catch fire... :rotf:

[Firme]

:D

hope not... after all, thats what the fuses are for

[scocher]

My husband did an incredible job installing XM in our 1999 Cobra (I miss the car AND the XM radio). I'll have him post a response to your original question tomorrow, if he gets a chance. He IS an electronics guru :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Aaron94]

So i got everything in the car and running. I just tapped the power lead for the XM into the power for my Pioneer head unit. Id works fine, and i shouldnt have any problems. Also, the XM works great with my Terk antenna just sitting on the rear speaker deck. NO NEED to run the antenna outside the car, i hate the look of that. So now all i need to do is have my regular radio antenna shaved, never going to listen to FM again. I found a GREAT location for the XM receiver. Keep in mind, this is the Pioneer add on unit, to work with pioneer CD players, so it may be different than others. Also, my car may be different than others, since mine did not have MACH 460.

In the trunk on the driver side, if you remove the trunk lining that covers the wheel well and shock bolts, you will find a pretty cavernous space. in the very back corner is this plastic housing, with a big open space, and a handle, or so it seemed to be a handle attached to it. i saw no purpose for that handle to be there, so i took a small saw blade and hacked it off. the XM receiver box fits wonderfully in there with one supplied bracket screwed into the top of the compartment. with the trunk lining back in place it fits snug and shouldnt move around at all.

So i am very happy with the whole set up, except one thing. I need to re-run my XM data cable, and RCA preout patch cables from the trunk on my passenger side, so it will not run alongside my power lead for the amplifier. I am getting feedback when i rev the motor into the stereo. I had this before when playing CD's, but for some reason its much more noticable when tuning into XM. Just a tip for anyone who will be doing amplifier install themselves, or a request you can make of your stereo shop.

All in all, i recomend XM, i know i will enjoy commercial free radio anywhere in the US, especially when i make that trek in June from southern CA to Pigeon Forge TN!!!! :thumbsup:

[98banana]

Originally posted by Aaron94
All in all, i recomend XM, i know i will enjoy commercial free radio anywhere in the US, especially when i make that trek in June from southern CA to Pigeon Forge TN!!!! :thumbsup:

I agree! I just put Sirius receivers in both my car and my wife's. I LOVE IT! I do A LOT of traveling and really don't listen to a whole lot of CD's. It's nice to tune to a station and never worry about losing it. I really like the Raw Dog station that has uncensored comedy. :thumbsup: