Could YOU be an installer? *huge mofo post*

[deeranp]

Heh.... I've been thinking about going into the audio install business if I ever lose my job in IT. Here goes....

What are the four different electronic properties you will encounter?
4, Voltage, current, resistance, power

What is voltage?
2, The electrical pressure that moves charged particles in a circuit

Which of the following cannot be determined by Ohm's Law?
5, All of the above are correct

Using a multimeter, you can measure current and voltage, but you cannot directly measure resistance in a live circuit.
1, True

A Watt represents the conversion of one joule per second into:
4, All of the above answers are correct

What is the impact of Kirchoff's Voltage Law if there is a poorly crimped terminal in the installation?
5, There is an impact, but it is too low to measure

Which of the following is a characteristic of a resistor?
5, All of the above are correct

An Electrolytic capacitor is known for its excellent sound quality and is used for the higher crossover frequencies.
2, False

How do you determine the total resistance of a circuit?
4, divide the voltage into the current

What does a passive crossover for a basic two-way system consist of?
1, Two passive filters

According to Ohm's Law, if you want to calculate current you would:
2, Divide the resistance into the voltage

What is the general rule regarding power and signal leads?
3, Run the wiring parallel to the car's factory wiring for ease of routing

Ground loops are the most frequent cause of noise problems in car audio installations.
2, False

When should you use crimp connectors in installations?
4, Never

How do you test for alternator whine?
1, Turn the audio system on, turn the volume all the way down, then rev the engine

Which of the following is the best diagnostic tool for use on a brand new car with a computer-controlled ignition, computerized climate control system and a trip computer?
3, DMM (digital multimeter)

If you want to check the amperage draw of a component or security system brain, and the suspect component is not blowing the supplied fuse, you should set your amperage scale on your VOM to a range above the fuse rating of the component.
2, False

Which type of fire extinguisher is best suited for a mobile electronics shop?
2, Type B

(Halon? A bit of overkill for a shop I thought )

What is the first step involved in troubleshooting for system noise problems?
2, Identifying the type of noise

At what frequency is the human ear most sensitive?
4, 15,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz

What is sympathetic vibration?
2, The natural resonance of an object

An audio signal is an electrical representation of what?
1, Sound wave

Destructive interference refers to two speakers whose sound waves are working against each other and are out of phase by:
3, 180 degrees

A magnetic Reed Switch, also called a magnetic proximity switch:
1, Uses magnetic force to cause a set of contacts to connect

The most common device to interrupt a vehicle's starter is a:
3, Electromagnetic switch

An impact sensor the best device to detect breaking glass during a break-in attempt?
1, True

A pulse or unversal timer can be used to:
3, Convert a momentary duration pause into a longer or shorter duration signal

A glass-mount antenna will transmit and receive best:
3, When mounted between or above the defogger grids

Extending the length of the RG58 coax cable supplied by the manufacturer can result in as much as 3dB of signal loss.
1, True

The small holes on the side of the hands-free microphone are commonly used for...
2, Noise canceling

Painting a cellular antenna mast with car paint typically causes up to 1 dB of signal loss.
1, True

Which of the following materials will not attenuate the signal from a GPS Antenna:
4, Factory pigment tinted glass

The best choice of mounting position for the GPS antenna is:
4, On the rear deck or dash

The length of antenna cable on a GPS receiver is:
2, Preset

A true VSS signal will vary in proportion with:
5, Vehicle speed

When testing a digital VSS with a DMM set to a minimum 30VDC range, the DMM display should:
1, Fluctuate between 5 to12 volts with tire rotation

*fingers crossed*

 

[vlv8vic]

did i pass or fail? or come close???

 

[Mike S]

OK, I'll be the mug, lets have a go.
But I reckon some of the correct answers are really just someones opinion, ...... lol


What are the four different electronic properties you will encounter?
1, Amps, volts, ohms and joules
2, Power, voltage, direct current, alternating current
3, Resistance, voltage, ohms, inductance
4, Voltage, current, resistance, power
5, None of the above

What is voltage?
1, The rate of electron flow through a given point
2, The electrical pressure that moves charged particles in a circuit
3, The conductivity that various materials possess
4, The relationship between current, resistance and power
5, The conversion of energy into work over a certain period of time

Which of the following cannot be determined by Ohm's Law?
1, If a certain gauge wire is too small
2, If the voltage supplied to an amplifier is too low
3, If the system requires a more powerful amplifier
4, If a higher output alternator is needed
5, All of the above are correct

Using a multimeter, you can measure current and voltage, but you cannot directly measure resistance in a live circuit.
1, True
2, False

A Watt represents the conversion of one joule per second into:
1, Light
2, Heat
3, Sound
4, All of the above answers are correct

What is the impact of Kirchoff's Voltage Law if there is a poorly crimped terminal in the installation?
1, There is no impact
2, One Volt dropped through a connector will reduce Voltage to the equipment by One Volt 3, One Volt dropped through a connector will reduce Voltage to the equipment by two Volts (1:2 ratio)
4, One Volt dropped through a connector will reduce Voltage to the equipment by three Volts (1:3 ratio)
5, There is an impact, but it is too low to measure

Which of the following is a characteristic of a resistor?
1, Resists the flow of electrons
2, Can be added to a signal cable to reduce the input signal voltage to an amplifier
3, Can reduce the amount of power to a speaker
4, Converts electrical energy to heat
5, All of the above are correct

An Electrolytic capacitor is known for its excellent sound quality and is used for the higher crossover frequencies.
1, True
2, False

How do you determine the total resistance of a circuit?
1, Add up all of the resistances
2, Multiply all of the resistances
3, Add the two highest resistances and divide by the lowest resistance
4, divide the voltage into the current
5, multiply the voltage by the current

What does a passive crossover for a basic two-way system consist of?
1, Two passive filters
2, One passive filter and one active filter
3, One capacitor for the tweeter and one inductor for the woofer
4, One bandpass filter
5, One passive filter and one relay

According to Ohm's Law, if you want to calculate current you would:
1, Take the square root of the resistance times the voltage
2, Divide the resistance into the voltage
3, Multiply the resistance and voltage
4, Divide the voltage into the resistance

What is the general rule regarding power and signal leads?
1, Always run power and signal leads next to each other
2, Depending on the installation, it is acceptable to cross the battery lead
3, Run the wiring parallel to the car's factory wiring for ease of routing
4, Depending on the installation, it is acceptable to cross the battery lead
5, All of the above answers are correct

Ground loops are the most frequent cause of noise problems in car audio installations.
1, True
2, False

When should you use crimp connectors in installations?
1, Always
2, For the power lead
3, For speaker connections
4, Never

How do you test for alternator whine?
1, Turn the audio system on, turn the volume all the way down, then rev the engine 2, Turn the audio system off, the rev the engine
3, Use a noise sniffer
4, Use a digital multimeter
5, All of the above techniques can be used to test for alternator whine

Which of the following is the best diagnostic tool for use on a brand new car with a computer-controlled ignition, computerized climate control system and a trip computer?
1, VOM (volt-ohm meter)
2, Test light
3, DMM (digital multimeter)
4, Hydrometer

If you want to check the amperage draw of a component or security system brain, and the suspect component is not blowing the supplied fuse, you should set your amperage scale on your VOM to a range above the fuse rating of the component.
1, True
2, False

Which type of fire extinguisher is best suited for a mobile electronics shop?
1, Type A
2, Type B
3, Type C
4, Halon
5, All of the above are acceptable

What is the first step involved in troubleshooting for system noise problems?
1, Eliminating the source of the problem
2, Identifying the type of noise
3, Determining the various makes and models of products in the system
4, Finding out when the problem was first noticed

At what frequency is the human ear most sensitive?
1, 25 Hz to 35 Hz
2, 100 Hz to 250 Hz
3, 1,000 Hz to 2,000 Hz
4, 15,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz

What is sympathetic vibration?
1, Noise made by processors
2, The natural resonance of an object
3, Distortion
4, Ignition noise

An audio signal is an electrical representation of what?
1, Sound wave
2, Octave
3, Potentiometer
4, Inductance

Destructive interference refers to two speakers whose sound waves are working against each other and are out of phase by:
1, 45 degrees
2, 90 degrees
3, 180 degrees 4, 270 degrees
5, 360 degrees

A magnetic Reed Switch, also called a magnetic proximity switch:
1, Uses magnetic force to cause a set of contacts to connect
2, Uses Kinetic energy to open and close a set of contacts
3, Has input for multiple switch triggers
4, Can replace the use of a relay

The most common device to interrupt a vehicle's starter is a:
1, Electronic switching capacitor
2, Heavy duty diode
3, Electromagnetic switch
4, Pulse timer

An impact sensor the best device to detect breaking glass during a break-in attempt?
1, True
2, False

A pulse or unversal timer can be used to:
1, Remove unwanted EMI from your security system
2, Add a pulsed output for alternating flashing parking lights
3, Convert a momentary duration pause into a longer or shorter duration signal 4, Reverse the pulse from negative to positive for door triggers

A glass-mount antenna will transmit and receive best:
1, When mounted over two defogger grids
2, When it is mounted over an FM antenna grid
3, When mounted between or above the defogger grids
4, When placed at a 45 degree angle to the ground plane

Extending the length of the RG58 coax cable supplied by the manufacturer can result in as much as 3dB of signal loss.
1, True
2, False

The small holes on the side of the hands-free microphone are commonly used for...
1, Decoration
2, Noise canceling
3, The mounting clip
4, Water drainage

Painting a cellular antenna mast with car paint typically causes up to 1 dB of signal loss.
1, True
2, False

Which of the following materials will not attenuate the signal from a GPS Antenna:
1, Metallic window tint
2, Line defrosters
3, Electrically heated windshields
4, Factory pigment tinted glass

The best choice of mounting position for the GPS antenna is:
1, Under the trunk lid
2, Under the hood
3, Under the headliner
4, On the rear deck or dash
5, On the center console

The length of antenna cable on a GPS receiver is:
1, Unmatched
2, Preset
3, Random
4, Uncorrelated

A true VSS signal will vary in proportion with:
1, Engine temperature
2, Engine RPM
3, Ignition voltage
4, Battery voltage
5, Vehicle speed

When testing a digital VSS with a DMM set to a minimum 30VDC range, the DMM display should:
1, Fluctuate between 5 to12 volts with tire rotation
2, Starts at 12 volts and rises as tire rotation increases
3, Change between 0 and 5 to12 with the engine running
4, Increase from 0 volts as the engine RPM increases

:embarrass pheeeww

 

[garfa]

Yeah. Any person can read a wiring diagram and interpret it enough to install a head unit. But you pay for a good job. I am sure that most people could install a head unit but to get the great install with subs, speakers, amps, caps ,equalizer and proper testing to make interference as little as possible can only be done really well by a qualified and experienced installer. Personally i have huge respect for a person who can get the most for the customer out of what ever products they have. Once i have gotten together my system and bought an equalizer i will be taking my car to a audio place to get them to make everything as quiet and good sounding as possible.
Being a good installer is just like a good mechanic, it takes more than just qualifications to get the perfect install. Only installers who have been doing their job for a while will know that a Commodore has no room behind the headunit and that whine in a Honda 180SX is caused by this thing... ect......
Cheers, garth.

 

[Tasmaniak]

I will start correcting them tomorrow along with the myriad of other things on my plate at the moment! Please be patient with me. LoL I was born in tassie after all!

 

[Mike S]

Hey Trunkrat, maybe we could make these exams a regular thing but instead of trying to just stump ppl with incomprehensible theory I reckon you should test them on all the stuff that audio installers have to face every day.

Like :-

Woodwork and carpentry

Motor trimming

Plastic welding

Mig welding

Mechanical skills

Electrical fault finding

Safe use of power tools

Workshop management

Equipment care and maintainance

Vehicle detailing

Accounting !!!

And we havn't even touched on Customer Care or actually how to pull a dash apart safely.

You guys may think I'm being a bit frivilous, but these are the skills that make the difference between someone who can jam a radio into a dash and get it make a noise and an installer who can actually make a living from it.

Mike

 

[vlv8vic]

i think if you consider the above though, we are talking about running a shop, not really just doing an install. from the list above ill respond to going down to the shed and installing a stereo in my car...

Woodwork and carpentry.......... i have a fair idea in this but wouldnt use it.

Motor trimming....... never tried but wouldnt need for my instal.

Plastic welding....... can do it but as above

Mig welding....... as above

Mechanical skills....... love the **** but didnt use it for my install.

Electrical fault finding...... used the instructions!

Safe use of power tools........ apply commonsence. i see the difference though if you had someone working for you.

Workshop management....... its my shed piss off.

Equipment care and maintainance...... i look after my tools

Vehicle detailing...... i do that anyway for cash (call me)

Accounting !!!......... i do my own tax? thats a start

And we havn't even touched on Customer Care or actually how to pull a dash apart safely........i look after myself.

more of a spin-off i guess. no offence intended.

 

[SpaceYam]

What are the four different electronic properties you will encounter?
4, Voltage, current, resistance, power

What is voltage?
1, The rate of electron flow through a given point

Which of the following cannot be determined by Ohm's Law?
5, All of the above are correct

Using a multimeter, you can measure current and voltage, but you cannot directly measure resistance in a live circuit.
1, True

A Watt represents the conversion of one joule per second into:
4. All of the above

What is the impact of Kirchoff's Voltage Law if there is a poorly crimped terminal in the installation?
2, One Volt dropped through a connector will reduce Voltage to the equipment by One Volt
(That's just a guess, I don't know this one )

Which of the following is a characteristic of a resistor?
5, All of the above are correct

An Electrolytic capacitor is known for its excellent sound quality and is used for the higher crossover frequencies.
1, True

How do you determine the total resistance of a circuit?
4, divide the voltage into the current

What does a passive crossover for a basic two-way system consist of?
3, One capacitor for the tweeter and one inductor for the woofer

According to Ohm's Law, if you want to calculate current you would:
2, Divide the resistance into the voltage

What is the general rule regarding power and signal leads?
1, Always run power and signal leads next to each other
2, Depending on the installation, it is acceptable to cross the battery lead
3, Run the wiring parallel to the car's factory wiring for ease of routing
5, All of the above answers are correct

Ground loops are the most frequent cause of noise problems in car audio installations.
1, True

When should you use crimp connectors in installations?
4, Never

How do you test for alternator whine?
1, Turn the audio system on, turn the volume all the way down, then rev the engine

Which of the following is the best diagnostic tool for use on a brand new car with a computer-controlled ignition, computerized climate control system and a trip computer?
3, DMM (digital multimeter)

If you want to check the amperage draw of a component or security system brain, and the suspect component is not blowing the supplied fuse, you should set your amperage scale on your VOM to a range above the fuse rating of the component.
1, True

Which type of fire extinguisher is best suited for a mobile electronics shop?
2, Type B

What is the first step involved in troubleshooting for system noise problems?
2, Identifying the type of noise

At what frequency is the human ear most sensitive?
3, 1,000 Hz to 2,000 Hz

What is sympathetic vibration?
2, The natural resonance of an object

An audio signal is an electrical representation of what?
1, Sound wave

Destructive interference refers to two speakers whose sound waves are working against each other and are out of phase by:
3, 180 degrees

A magnetic Reed Switch, also called a magnetic proximity switch:
1, Uses magnetic force to cause a set of contacts to connect

The most common device to interrupt a vehicle's starter is a:
3, Electromagnetic switch
(I feel stupid for needing to guess that one!)

An impact sensor the best device to detect breaking glass during a break-in attempt?
2, False

A pulse or unversal timer can be used to:
2, Add a pulsed output for alternating flashing parking lights

A glass-mount antenna will transmit and receive best:
3, When mounted between or above the defogger grids

Extending the length of the RG58 coax cable supplied by the manufacturer can result in as much as 3dB of signal loss.
1, True

The small holes on the side of the hands-free microphone are commonly used for...
2, Noise canceling

Painting a cellular antenna mast with car paint typically causes up to 1 dB of signal loss.
2, False

Which of the following materials will not attenuate the signal from a GPS Antenna:
4, Factory pigment tinted glass

The best choice of mounting position for the GPS antenna is:
3, Under the headliner

The length of antenna cable on a GPS receiver is:
2, Preset

A true VSS signal will vary in proportion with:
BLEARGH

When testing a digital VSS with a DMM set to a minimum 30VDC range, the DMM display should:
I'm guessing this is related to the above question



Yeah, I doubt I'd pass. I know enough to get me by, like the important stuff of having properly grounded circuits, short circuits = BAD, I know what resistors do, etc. But a lot of the basic technical knowledge I wouldn't have a clue about. For example, I never quite understood exactly how capacitors and transistors are supposed to work and be wired up. I got an electronics kit when I was 8 years old and I loved it, I just never understood anything except the LEDs, the resistors, transformers, speaker (baha!), pot, etc. Just the basic stuff, although I never quite understood why they always sent the signal for the speaker through the 'output' transformer.

 

[craigvk]

I have done all the electrical fundamentals at school for a diploma, studied hard. Had to do tons of theory.

There is no way I would let some young kid under 25 touch my car to do any electrical work. I have seen what some of them do and basically haven't got enough experience.

So you have a few years experience? Big deal. BRAG AWAY. I hate it when people brag about their qualifications.

I think all people need to know is how to solder, crimp, understand what current and voltage is, basic stuff.

You don't need a 3 year electronics degree to install car stereos.

 

[rattattack1313]

I have done all the electrical fundamentals at school for a diploma, studied hard. Had to do tons of theory.

There is no way I would let some young kid under 25 touch my car to do any electrical work. I have seen what some of them do and basically haven't got enough experience.

So you have a few years experience? Big deal. BRAG AWAY. I hate it when people brag about their qualifications.

I think all people need to know is how to solder, crimp, understand what current and voltage is, basic stuff.

You don't need a 3 year electronics degree to install car stereos.

..I dont think Trunk was bragging.....I think he was more informing people of his qualifications, so they could take his advice seriously, because they then KNOW he is qualified to do the job......