Help with XM install

[peterbra]

I have a cabriolet and just purchassed an Xm that only requires a connection to the AUX audio in the glove box, power from a 12 input and the antenna that works great on the dash against †he windshield. However I am having a bog delema trying to find a place to mount the XM receiver. It seems that unless I mount it on top of the dash centered, there are no alternatives that won't block the air system or radio... Id like some suggestions, Also if I mount it on top of the dash I expect to use double sided tape. Does anyone think that will work?

What about power, there is only one 12 socket, and I would like to go directly to the fuse box for the Xm and my Garmen GPS.

Has anyone used the fuse board and if so where is the best place to hook-up??

Thanks Peter

[msjohnson1974]

Go look at www.myradiostore.com. They have the inline power adapters and mounts that you might want. I'm getting a power adapter, antenna, second cradle, and a flexible steel mount. The mount is probably what you want and I spied several bolts on the floor under the dash (the firewall) to mount it to. Here is the link to the mount... http://www.myradiostore.com/p/sr88-f...-pedestal.html.

I bought stuff from this site before for my Explorer to mount my Roady XT and power it. For the power adapter I clipped it on to power supply for the accessory outlet in the Explorer - I may do the same on my smart when the parts get here.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by msjohnson1974

Now if I can only figure out how to get the glove box off to run the wires into the back of it...

I don't know what you want to do, but some posts are dealing with a cable running through the back of the glove box. See
Smart Car of America Forums>Smart Car technical>Smart Car Modifications>Audio & Video>Ipod nano
post in the lower 20 with some pics.

Hope it helps.

[msjohnson1974]

I just went out back, felt around the back of the dash, and found a spot to drill... just hadn't been that adventurous yet. I'm used to my Ford or BMW that you have to pull things apart to get behind the glove box.

Thanks though.

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm going to have a similar situation on a lot of fronts.

I'm not only an XM subscriber, I am a stockholder, so I require XM in any car I own . I currently have a Terk XM Commander in my VUE, and am thinking about getting one for the smart - I like the feature set, cleanliness of the install, and the fact that it is built in to the car.

I don't think it is going to be tremendously hard to make a bracket to bolt to the underside of the dash (underneath the switch panel for the locks/heated seats, etc) angled and holding the receiver - it helps that my dad owns a fabrication business, though.

I'm also going to hard wire my Garmin Nuvi - centered on the dash. I'm still going to use the windshield mount as I am going to be parking in public garages/apartment parking lots for a bit, and I don't want a smash and grab going on - plus I will be sharing this with my other car. I've got a spare power adapter, so I am probably going to splice this into the power outlet circuit, run it up behind the clock and tach pods, and have the little USB connector snaking out through there.

[sheureka]

These are the instructions for installing the 5-Volt Hard-Wired Car Adapter for my XM receiver. Can someone who knows about these sorts of installations give me an idea how hard this would be? Could I do it myself? If I have it installed, any idea how much it should cost? The unit itself is $18.99 from myradiostore.com.

Unit may be wired into any DC power source from approximately 11 to 15 Volts. Output is constant at 5.5 Volts up to 2.2Amps, fully compatible with your 5 Volt Satellite Radio receiver. May also be used to charge and power the Roady Portable Audio System SA10109.

Included in this package:

• Voltage converter is 3 1/2" x 1 7/8" x 1 1/2", and has 5 feet of cable on each end.
• Two wire taps for quick, hassle-free connecting into existing power cables.
• Double sided adhesive pad to fasten the voltage converter box to a solid surface.
• Alcohol cleaning prep-pad for adhesive pad application.
• Two "zip" cable ties to fasten the box or cables in place.
• Quick-Blow fuse to protect your XM equipment and electrical wiring.
• Power LED indicator

The positive lead is marked with a red band and should be connected to a positive 12 Volt power supply in your vehicle's electrical system. If you would like your auto-on feature to work in your XM Radio, wire this positive lead to an ignition-controlled or "switched" 12 Volt power supply. The other black lead is connected to a negative ground in your vehicle.

TIA - sheureka

[sheureka]

Sooner or later I'll have everything I want in this car - this morning the ProClip holder (http://www.proclipusa.com) came in, and I was able to mount my phone. The fit is not quite as good as some of the other ProClip holders I've had, but it definitely will stay put and can be removed with no sign that it's ever been there at all. I decided to just use a vent mount with the xm radio. I'm using a 2' antenna and so far haven't had any problems with signal even though it's just laying up in the corner of the dash. The power cord runs down the rubber gasket at the front of the passenger side door and then into a 3-outlet power supply I mounted with velcro underneath the glove compartment. It barely shows unless you're really looking for it. The phone, a bt gps receiver, and the xm radio are all plugged into it. The phone cord is the only one that's visible, but since I only have the phone mounted there when I'm using gps it doesn't bother me. Here's a bad picture (wow, I really need to wash those windows).

[limey]

The install looks good, and I have considered doing something similar, but I'm concerned about what would happen in the, hopefully unlikely, event of an Air Bag Deployment. I suspect that phone will be launched towards the passenger at quite high speed.

[msjohnson1974]

Originally Posted by sheureka

These are the instructions for installing the 5-Volt Hard-Wired Car Adapter for my XM receiver. Can someone who knows about these sorts of installations give me an idea how hard this would be? Could I do it myself? If I have it installed, any idea how much it should cost? The unit itself is $18.99 from myradiostore.com.



TIA - sheureka

I used that exact adapter for my install. You can clip the wires using the supplied red clips onto the leads to the power point provided the total power draw if you plug anything else in doesn't exceed the rating for the fuse. I run a GPS out of the power point with the XM without a problem. I mounted the power box to the firewall with the supplied mounting tape.

Here is a link to another thread on this with a picture of the mount I used. It's removeable and can be used for other things if I ever change out the radio for one with XM built in.

Radio 9 - A Disappointment - What to Do

[peterbra]

Originally Posted by peterbra

I have a cabriolet and just purchassed an Xm that only requires a connection to the AUX audio in the glove box, power from a 12 input and the antenna that works great on the dash against †he windshield. However I am having a bog delema trying to find a place to mount the XM receiver. It seems that unless I mount it on top of the dash centered, there are no alternatives that won't block the air system or radio... Id like some suggestions, Also if I mount it on top of the dash I expect to use double sided tape. Does anyone think that will work?

What about power, there is only one 12 socket, and I would like to go directly to the fuse box for the Xm and my Garmen GPS.

Has anyone used the fuse board and if so where is the best place to hook-up??

Thanks Peter

I mounted my XM receiver in the first cup holder using an adapter that has a short snake type tube and it fits under the dash See photo in gallery. BUT my problem is the antenna. I ran the antenna wire under the dash up along the side to the inside windshield then put the tiny antenna in the center bottom of the windshield on top of the vent for the defroster. It is virtually invisible BUt there are so any drops that I can hardly listen to any programs. I want to move the antenna either to the top of the windshield at next to the detector for rain and light then run the wire up along the same way at the detector then the wire will eventually be tucked along the windshield. BUT Id prefer putting it outside but I cant figure out how to run the wire inside to the radio. IF I run it thru the door or convertible top and let the rubber depress, will I get leaks?? Has anyone done this yet??? Thanks Peter peterbra@mac.com