Basic Installation Technician Study Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
MECP Basic Installation Technician Study Guide Introduction.......12
Job Descripton – MECP Basic Installation Technician ....................13
What is an MECP Basic Installation Technician…
And What Does it Mean to You?.....................................................17
The MECP Basic Installation Technician Exam
and How it was Developed..............................................................19
How and Where to Take MECP Exams...........................................21
Reading the Study Guide and Preparing for the Exam.....................23
Notes About Registering, Scheduling, Rescheduling, or
Cancelling an MECP Exam..............................................................24
How to Take the Exam....................................................................28
After the Exam.................................................................................29
Records Transfer..............................................................................30
MECP Database Access....................................................................30
Contacting MECP............................................................................33
CHAPTER 1. BASIC ELECTRONICS AND VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Electrical Circuit Basics...................................................................36
Understanding Voltage, Current and Resistance..............................38
Series and Parallel Total Resistance Formulas . ...............................50
Electrical Power (Watt’s Law)..........................................................54
Ohm’s Law Quick Reference............................................................59
Kirchhoff’s Laws..............................................................................60
Electronic Components ..................................................................66
Batteries as a Voltage Source...............................................66
Switches ...........................................................................67
Resistors ............................................................................69
Potentiometers....................................................................72
Incandescent Light Bulbs....................................................73
Capacitors...........................................................................75
Inductors ...........................................................................78
Relays ...............................................................................81
Semiconductors .................................................................86
Diodes ...............................................................................87
Light Emitting Diodes.........................................................89
Automotive Electrical Power Supply and Charging Systems............90
The Battery ........................................................................90
The Alternator ...................................................................93
The Fuse Panel....................................................................97
The Ignition Switch ...........................................................99
Low Current Ignition Circuits.............................................102
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ................................................103
Choosing and Installing High Current Power Cables .........109
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The basic installation technician study guide
Remember BOTH sides of the circuit
(Upgrading Grounds)..........................................................113
Importance of using a grommet when passing
through metal ....................................................................113
Power Storage Capacitors ..................................................113
Sample Test Questions for Chapter 1 .............................................116
CHAPTER 2. ENTRY-LEVEL Installation Knowledge AND Technique
Tools and Safety................................................................................................... 120
Hand Tools......................................................................................120
Specialty Installation Tools..............................................................124
Large Power and Pneumatic Tools...................................................130
Shop Safety......................................................................................131
Personal Safety.................................................................................131
Chemical Safety...............................................................................134
Fire Extinguishers............................................................................137
Keeping a Clean Shop.....................................................................139
Pre-Installation Guidelines and General Vehicle Disassembly..........140
Electronic Testing and Test Equipment...........................................147
Digital Multimeter (DMM)..................................................147
Test Lights (not recommended)..........................................150
Testing Wires/Circuits in a Vehicle.....................................154
Cautions of “Tapping In” to Low Current Ignition Systems.....166
General Installation Knowledge............................................................................ 167
Importance of Making Proper Connections.....................................167
Common Connection Types............................................................167
MECP Best Practices for Making Low and High Current Connections....185
Low Current Termination Techniques................................185
High Current Termination Techniques...............................186
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems................................................... 187
Identify-Isolate-Eliminate …..The path to thinking it through!.......189
Testing Voltage Drops.....................................................................194
Short Circuits..................................................................................200
Open Circuits..................................................................................203
Blown Fuses....................................................................................204
Battery Mysteriously Drains.............................................................205
Understanding Wiring Diagrams – Vehicle Schematics...................206
Understanding Wiring Diagrams – Aftermarket Products................209
Sample Test Questions for Chapter 2..............................................211
Table of contents
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Margin Notes
CHAPTER 3. INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEMS
Basics of Sound.................................................................................................... 214
Components of a Sound Wave........................................................214
Phase and Polarity...........................................................................219
Resonance........................................................................................222
Frequency Response – Where System Design Philosophies Begin...223
Filtering – Routing the signals to the right speakers........................226
Octaves and Harmonics...................................................................231
Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N)..............................................................236
Headroom.......................................................................................238
General Mobile Audio Installation Knowledge...................................................... 239
Overview of In-Dash Headunit Installation Best Practices................239
DIN and Double DIN Aftermarket Form Factors................240
Dash Kits............................................................................242
Wiring Harness Adaptors....................................................243
Antenna Adaptors...............................................................246
Important Integration Devices.............................................248
Overview of OEM Source Unit Retention........................................251
Adding Other Sources.........................................................252
Adding Amplifiers/Upgrading the Sound.........................................257
Line Output Converters......................................................257
Summing Devices...............................................................259
Turn-on Lead Issues...........................................................260
Application Specific Integration Devices
– such as CAN bus, MOST apps.........................................262
MECP Best Practices for OEM Integration.......................................263
Overview of Preamp Level Processors..............................................264
Overview of Aftermarket Amplifier Installation Best Practices.........271
Setting the Input Gain (Simply, but Correctly)................................283
Overview of Replacement Speaker Installation Best Practices..........289
Observing Correct Speaker Polarity Connections................291
Proper Speaker Mounting...................................................292
Importance of Damping Vibrations and Resonant Panels....296
Installing the Passive Crossover on Component Speakers...299
Overview of Subwoofer Enclosures.................................................301
Why Subwoofers Need Enclosures......................................301
Basic Benefits/Drawbacks of Sealed and Vented Designs.....301
Calculating Volume.............................................................303
Construction Materials/Methods.........................................308
General Mobile Video Installation Knowledge.................................311
Overview of In-Dash Video vs. Rear Seat Entertainment.....311
In-dash or Driver Viewed Video.........................................312
In-Dash or “Driver Viewed” Monitors.................................313
Overhead Monitors.............................................................314
Headrest/Seat Back..............................................................315
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The basic installation technician study guide
Floor/Center Console..........................................................317
Running any 120VAC Devices............................................317
Wireless Headphones..........................................................318
Troubleshooting Common Mobile Audio System Installation Problems................. 320
Identifying and Troubleshooting Audio System Noise.....................320
System Noises.....................................................................320
Limited Bass Response........................................................320
Enclosure Construction.......................................................321
Polarity Conflicts................................................................321
Position of subwoofer vs. other speakers............................321
Power Problems..................................................................323
Distortion at High Volumes................................................324
Clipping..............................................................................324
Voltage Drops.....................................................................326
Margin Notes
CHAPTER 4. INTRODUCTION TO SECURITY AND CONVENIENCE SYSTEMS
Remote Controls and RF.................................................................332
Basic Components of a Security System...........................................333
Inputs and Outputs of a Security System............................333
Sounding Devices...............................................................340
Visual Deterrents.................................................................341
Sensors................................................................................342
Engine Disables...................................................................345
LED (Status Indicator)........................................................347
Valet Switch........................................................................348
Backup Battery or Backup Battery Siren..............................349
Accessory Output Devices...................................................351
Using Relays.......................................................................352
Basic Components of a Remote Starter............................................355
Inputs and Outputs of a Remote Starter..............................355
Bypassing Transponder Keys...............................................359
Initial Programming or Updating Firmware on Interface
Devices...............................................................................361
Safety Measures...................................................................362
Applications and Requirements for Remote Starters............364
Identifying Vehicle Circuits.............................................................365
Identify Positive Switching..................................................365
Identify Negative Switching................................................365
Identify Reverse Polarity Switching.....................................365
Identify Multiplex or Variable Voltage Switching................366
Basic Installation Tips......................................................................368
Preparing for the Installation..............................................368
Mounting Considerations for a Control Unit......................369
Wiring and Connections for the Control Unit.....................370
Tips on Performing the Installation.....................................372
Table of Contents
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Margin Notes
Troubleshooting Basic Security and Remote Starter System Installation
Problems.........................................................................................373
Remote does not respond...................................................374
Security System Randomly Triggers....................................377
Other Basic Security System/Remote Starter Troubleshooting
Tips.....................................................................................380
Sample Test Questions for Chapter 4..............................................382
CHAPTER 5. INTRODUCTION TO IN-VEHICLE INFORMATION
AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
Broadcast Entertainment..................................................................387
In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) Digital AM/FM Radio............387
Satellite Radio.....................................................................389
Introduction to Bluetooth Hands Free Communication..................401
Bluetooth Basics..................................................................401
Bluetooth Hands Free Communication Devices and Installation.....406
Hands Free Capability and Installation Kits........................406
Introduction to Navigation and Safety Related Systems...................412
How the GPS Satellites Work..............................................412
How and Where to Place GPS Navigation Antenna.............413
Rear View Camera Systems.................................................414
Reverse Sensor Systems.......................................................417
How to identify a reverse trigger input...............................418
Front View Camera Systems...............................................418
Sample Test Questions for Chapter 5..............................................420
Glossary of Terms................................................................................424
APPENDIX...................................................................................................462
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL READING. ................................................467
Acknowledgements, Trademarks, etc...........................................468
index..........................................................................................................471
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The basic installation technician study guide