basic questions

[jasnos]

hey guys,
sorry if there is a thread on it (thought there would have been) but i couldn't find it any where.

Anyway looking at installing my first head unit soon and just had a few questions.
1.) do i need to disconnect the battery? ( pos or neg first?)
2.) when i am trying to connect all the wires through the harness, do i need to Purchase just a blank harness and then just connect and line up the wires as need be? and i just lock the wires in with a jewelers screw driver don't I?
3.) I don't have a welder, i can just electrical tape wires together cant I? or am i best to buy like a plastic wire crimper?
4.) Any other problems i might run into having never done this before?

also its not on a commodore.

Thanks for your help in advanced and sorry for being such a noob!

[Ryan.mate]

okay bruhh well you should disconnect the battery. save shit stuffing up.
if you really have to you can tape them but i strongly suggest you go to your hardware store and buy a soldering iron and solder.
and why cant you cut your old connector off your wires and wire your new connector into the old wires?

hope this helps man

[holdenboy]

1) Yes, negative.
2) depending on the car, you may be able to get a harness adaptor that just plugs into your cars stereo plug and then into your new stereo, no joining of wires.
3) Generally its not advisable to just "twist and tape". Those crimp on terminals are a step better though.
4) Depending on the car we're talking about, you may or may not.

EDIT: Crap we are all over this section!!

[sweefu]

Hey mate,
1. Disconnect neg. first, always.
2. Your new head unit will come with a harness, cut off the old harness, strip the wires, bind them together then solder them - you can get a soldering iron from dick smith for $12 with solder which will do the job well.
3. It is best to solder then tape all wires with electrical tape, it is around $2 a roll.
4. Just remember to take your time and solder/tape everything well. Solder and tape are very cheap so you should use them generously.

Goodluck mate.


EDIT: Sorry Holdenboy! your reply wasnt there when i started typing :P

[jasnos]

alright thanks man,
yer i can use the old wiring harness, was just unsure if i could or not!
With regards to the soldering iron, how much is that likely to cost?
and im guessing its not an open flame due to it be called an 'iron'????
cheers

[jasnos]

$12 for a soldering iron and solder!!!
that sounds VERY cheap!!
On DSE their cheapest one is like 70 bucks?

thanks heaps for the responses guys, 3 in a minute all right on the money, appreciate it

[sweefu]

No way mate, i've bought a few from DSE for $12, they arent that powerful but will easily do everything you need to do, go check them out. Jaycar and tandy do them too

[Ryan.mate]

hard ware store, dont worry about the temp controlled ones man