Did you guys Take any classes on installing or does it just come second nature and you teach yourself? I thought about taking a class or two on the side on car audio installation and general mechanical work. I know the basics but need more!!
JK and other installers/do-it yourselfers
- Thread starter puckhead
- Start date
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CodeB4U
Full Access Member
Well for me it cars was a passion. Back when my dad use to take me street racing. I have always loved everything about them. Before i was a tech @ a chevy dealership i was a Audio installer. I learned by doing it and reading as much info as i could. Plus my dad taught me whatever he could, but now I'm teaching him. lol.
Just read, do the research, try it and practice. The way i learned alot was do work for cheap. That way you always have work, then once you get good at it do it for a fair price.
A quick question, don't google or research anything. Off the top of your head. Do you know OMH's law? if so explain.
Just read, do the research, try it and practice. The way i learned alot was do work for cheap. That way you always have work, then once you get good at it do it for a fair price.
A quick question, don't google or research anything. Off the top of your head. Do you know OMH's law? if so explain.
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HMFDZ28
Full Access Member
I grew up with it... My Father was a Mechanic... as well as my uncles. I did a program called ASEP (bassicly GM school)for college. I hated being a line tech, but found I really enjoy electrical work. So now I am a mobile tech for a Motorola communications company. I am a voli fire fighter and the fact I spend most of my days workin on fire trucks doin fairly clean work I love it man. A basic automotive electrical course can accually help ya quite a bit.
If you good with workin with your hands and have a good head on your shoulders, you can pretty much do anything automotive.
---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------
I second this!!!!
If you good with workin with your hands and have a good head on your shoulders, you can pretty much do anything automotive.
---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------
I second this!!!!
I cant remember mutch from my one high school class so all i think i know its about is voltage and conductivity. Thats about it, couldnt tell you a formula or anything. I have donw all my A/V stuff my self and did a custom install for some AC current plugs. I can usually figure stuff out, just want to be able to do bigger stuff i guess. Any recomended reading? Thanks guys!
My dad guided me through my first engine rebuild when I was 12. I've been messing with cars ever since. Years ago I participated in some SCCA classes instructed by a friend's dad and really got into performance cars and autox, so I did a lot of work on my own cars and learned a lot from hands on.
But racing was just a hobby for me. I took a 2yr electronics course, being as that was another interest of mine. I started my first car audio job right out of high school back in '92 and learned my fab skills from watching other installers. Luckily I started in a higher end custom shop that did a lot of custom work. I liked it so much that I did everything I could to learn more and more. Hands-on is by far one of the best ways to learn a skill IMO. It's been 17 years that I've been in the aftermarket 12volt industry. I have my MECP and ASE A6 certs, a couple vehicles I built showcased in magazines, and one that was suppossed to be in a magazine but was totalled the day before the the photo shoot.
I've done just about everything from tint, cruise controls, bodywork, engine building, hydraulics, sunroofs, and on and on.
Stayed involved with what you like and make it a ritual to learn as much as you can about the stuff you enjoy doing.
But racing was just a hobby for me. I took a 2yr electronics course, being as that was another interest of mine. I started my first car audio job right out of high school back in '92 and learned my fab skills from watching other installers. Luckily I started in a higher end custom shop that did a lot of custom work. I liked it so much that I did everything I could to learn more and more. Hands-on is by far one of the best ways to learn a skill IMO. It's been 17 years that I've been in the aftermarket 12volt industry. I have my MECP and ASE A6 certs, a couple vehicles I built showcased in magazines, and one that was suppossed to be in a magazine but was totalled the day before the the photo shoot.
I've done just about everything from tint, cruise controls, bodywork, engine building, hydraulics, sunroofs, and on and on.
Stayed involved with what you like and make it a ritual to learn as much as you can about the stuff you enjoy doing.
I do all of my own work minus paint. Haven't mastered that yet or trust myself enough but I've been into cars since I was 11 or so, all my older brothers have been doing the same since before I was born so I was always exposed to it. Been messing around with different styles and types of vehicles from 4x's to lowriders and done it all from lifting to juice(hydraulics) and bags, I've restored a few cars from the ground up, I did a 72 Buick Riviera, a 76 Impala "Glass House", a 67 VW bug and my 63 SS Impala. I try not to mess with the newer stuff, too many things that can go wrong with the electronics but I'll take on anything pre 90's. Never went to school for anything related to this, it was all picked up in the streets and/or in the club I used to roll with and just general "hands on".. Most of the things you learn out on the field you will never see/read in a book.
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If you really want to get into car audio and fabrication, there are schools that specialize in just that. Installer Institute, The Snake Pit, Acoustic Edge, and Mobile Dynamics are the more popular ones.
You can also get on-line and study basic principles of electricity like Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's current and voltage laws, electronics components and functions, etc. Then you can read about acoustic principles; things like phase, period, oscillation, reverberation, harmonics, Fletcher-Munson curves, etc. to help you actually build a quality sounding audio system based on sound principles.
This man knows what he's talking about..
tybardy
everyone needs a Hoe
never got to into car audio, not enough to want to do it all myself, i nice sounding system is all i ever wanted...
HOWEVER
I love tearing into the motor, drives my girlriend nuts because i am always pulling things off that dont need to be fixed or repaired. just so i can clean them and put them back on. I want to have a better understanding of the rest of the vehicle though. I have a firm grasp on the basics of the powerplant (i.e. motor and tranny) but i dont know shit about suspension (mine is going out and i have no idea how to diagnose it or fix it) or electrical (im talking engine electrical) or even the internal workings like Cams, torque converters, heads and all that, im just lost.. i know WHAT they are, im sure i could even get them out and put em back in, but its what they do and how to tweak em that eludes me....
i sure want to have all THAT know-how
HOWEVER
I love tearing into the motor, drives my girlriend nuts because i am always pulling things off that dont need to be fixed or repaired. just so i can clean them and put them back on. I want to have a better understanding of the rest of the vehicle though. I have a firm grasp on the basics of the powerplant (i.e. motor and tranny) but i dont know shit about suspension (mine is going out and i have no idea how to diagnose it or fix it) or electrical (im talking engine electrical) or even the internal workings like Cams, torque converters, heads and all that, im just lost.. i know WHAT they are, im sure i could even get them out and put em back in, but its what they do and how to tweak em that eludes me....
i sure want to have all THAT know-how
iwaslowr
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
I didn't take any classes but growing up around street/drag racing and the vehicle modification that comes with it sure didn't hurt! Now I do pretty much all of my mechanical and audio work. It's amazing how much one can save doing the work instead of paying someone else... not to mention the personal accomplishment factor.
