CAT interface installation

[the_stick]

hey guys - finding it hard to locate info on installing one of these CAT things, has anyone done it? There is one on ebay but how hard are they to install? where do you put the infra red transmitter? do they work as well as they say? any info would be great because I would like to try myself. tnx.

[redcv6]

post a link to what you want.

[the_stick]

CAT09 Multipurpose Steering Wheel Interface Holden Ford - eBay Other Car Audio, Video, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 06-Jul-08 15:56:06 AEST)

[whitey66]

What car and stereo do you have?

[the_stick]

VT and the head unit is a Pioneer 6850. tnx.

[klaw81]

I've installed one in my car - piece of cake. Connect power, earth and signal wires, hide the little box in the console somewhere, and point the IR led at the head unit. I find it works very well - no problems at all so far. The maker of the CAT products is actually a member of this forum (RonnieM) and he's a very helpful guy.

[the_stick]

Thanks for the info klaw81!!! I've heard nothing but good things about the product, I think that just made up my mind. tnx.

[Fletch_QLD]

Last one I saw on ebay went for $160. $220 at Northfield etc. They work fine, the CAT10 is better IF you have a unit that accepts the 3.5mm remote jack.

Installation is as easy as Klaw says - I actually poked the led up between the unit and fascia (little blue dot on this pic I played around a bit to get the spot with best reception.

On my current unit, I have an alpine with the 3.5mm remote jack and purchased a SWI-JACK off ebay $70 inc postage. Much cheaper than the CAT and arguably just as good. It seems a shame to have to buy a product from o/s but at 1/3 the price even factoring in postage it's just crazy.

I have an old one of the pac swix units lying around if you want it - equiv of the CAT09 except I can't comment on VT compatability.
PESWIX SWIX SWI X UNIVERSAL STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTOL - eBay Other Installation Products, Installation Products, Car Electronics, Consumer Electronics. (end time 07-Jul-08 22:06:30 AEST)

[klaw81]

I looked at the PAC products too, but my model of head unit wasn't officially supported. I picked up a 2nd hand CAT09 from this forum and after a little teething problem (electronic glitch fixed by manufacturer - cheers RonnieM!) it was all sorted.

My IR led is hidden in the centre console just behind the gearstick which seems to work pretty well - even if there isn't a direct line of sight to the IR receiver, the signal seems to bounce around the interior and gets there in the end...it must be a powerful signal.

[scoMale]

To install the CAT10 into a commodore VZ, the installation instructions state:

"Ground the vehicles Black/Yellow trace and connect CAT10 Brown to vehicle Brown."

Does anyone know which slots these are on the connector at the back of the stereo cavity?

+ + +_ + +_ + +
_+ +_ + +_ _+ +
+ + +_ + +_ + +

(+'s represent a connection on the socket. _'s are to help layout the +'s properly on the screen)

Is the Black/Yellow trace simply the GND of the remote signal (shown as # below):
+ + +_ + +_ + +
_+ +_ # +_ _+ +
+ + +_ + +_ + +

I assume the vehicle brown the STEERING REM output (shown as # below):
+ + +_ + +_ + +
_+ +_ + +_ _+ +
+ + +_ # +_ + +

Can anyone confirm this?

[klaw81]

That looks about right.....but it's best to check by cutting a little of the cable wrapping away to check for sure. The factory cable is long enough to be pushed out into passenger footwell, if you're having trouble making the connections elbow-deep inside the dash.

[scoMale]

Thanks klaw - I went to JB HIFI today they said it would take about 1-2 weeks to get a CAT10 in - and I had to pay $266 upfront

How easy is it to get access to behind the stereo from the passenger footwell? - Is there any info on the process for a VZ?

[Fletch_QLD]

Have you considered the PAC Swix ? $70 on ebay inc postage and you'll have it in 5days.

[scoMale]

Have you considered the PAC Swix ? $70 on ebay inc postage and you'll have it in 5days.

Too late - I've already blown my money

[klaw81]

How easy is it to get access to behind the stereo from the passenger footwell? - Is there any info on the process for a VZ?

Getting access to the back of the headunit from the footwell would be quite difficult. However, you can release the headunit wiring loom's plugs from the little clips. Once released, there's enough cable length in the harness to poke the plugs out into the passenger footwell. That way, you can make your connections out in the open rather than trying to fit both arms into the depths of the dash.

[scoMale]

you can release the headunit wiring loom's plugs from the little clips. Once released, there's enough cable length in the harness to poke the plugs out into the passenger footwell.

What is best to poke the cables through? - Pop the glovebox off the clips, then poke it through the hole left behind?