I wanna get MECP certified....Advice?

[I Like Waffle]

and i think i have a good bit to learn before i can do so. Im decently good at installing pretty much anything audio related, doing interior work, building boxes, etc, and understand basics of T/s parameters, ohms law, etc etc. I took the mecp practice a few months ago and got a 76 so im not too bad off the start.

Whats really killing me is understanding security systems. Im very familiar with reading wire diagrams of diff things, and have a pretty good understanding of 12 volt systems, but security just throws me off. I know i can learn it but i just need a shove in the right direction.

I just wanna know what the more experienced members think i should do as far as studying or doing any training in order to get my mecp basic? Judging your opinions from what ive posted as far as helping others and such( i know ive posted some stuff that would make me seem less knowledgable than i am, but thats how i learn. )

I do have the mecp basic book which ive been reading on and off, but im looking for some real advice on how i should go about getting certified. Like training sites, other things to read or research, etc. Im really the type of person that learns from experience and doing hands on things. Id even venture to say most of my knowledge comes from 3 years of reading things on this forum like build logs and etc. From my understanding if i wanna work in any high level shop and make decent money mecp seems to be a standard most shops look for right? I dont wanna just memorize things to pass the test, i want to actually learn more things about installing that i dont know already. Id like to know about security systems and such, although i have no interest in installing them. I just wanna be able to know my shit, as well as have the cert. that shows it.

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[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

Mecp cert means almost nothing. I honestly think its kinda a joke. I myself am Master certified now, but I have worked with many installers that are first class certified and defiantly shouldn't even be basic.

Just memorize most the shit, spend some time learning about proper electrical trouble shooting and relays diodes and what not. Just the basics and they rest you will learn MUCH more hands on

 

[quest51210 10+ year member]

Mecp cert means almost nothing. I honestly think its kinda a joke. I myself am Master certified now, but I have worked with many installers that are first class certified and defiantly shouldn't even be basic.
Just memorize most the shit, spend some time learning about proper electrical trouble shooting and relays diodes and what not. Just the basics and they rest you will learn MUCH more hands on

me getting my MECP in 2000, netted me $5 more an hour at the job i was at. so, 5x40=$200 more a week, $800 more a month, and $9600 more a year.

the kid needs to start somewhere and while some of us picked up our certs after we had already worked in the field for awhile, it definitely is a door opener for young-in's who cant get their foot in the door. i stayed at First Class for many years because frankly I topped out on my pay at $24 or 25 /hr before I went to a custom shop where experience meant more than a cert, but it still helped my resume.

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

me getting my MECP in 2000, netted me $5 more an hour at the job i was at. so, 5x40=$200 more a week, $800 more a month, and $9600 more a year.
the kid needs to start somewhere and while some of us picked up our certs after we had already worked in the field for awhile, it definitely is a door opener for young-in's who cant get their foot in the door. i stayed at First Class for many years because frankly I topped out on my pay at $24 or 25 /hr before I went to a custom shop where experience meant more than a cert, but it still helped my resume.

I agree with that im just saying I dont see a need in him going though tons of effort to completely learn the book. hand on experince is the key to being a good installer, its just one of those things you cant just read about.

 

[I Like Waffle]

Yea well at work my ***** *** female manager doesnt get that some people need to actually observe something first hand or actually learn it by experience before they know something. My position as an installer at BB (shitty i know, but its a start) was given away because i cant install security systems, which isnt even my fault because training for it wasnt offered or given to me for the 8 months i worked there before my position was given away. Im thinking im going to start going to work early and observe our senior installer and maybe ill learn a few things. Ive tried doing that before but i always get *****ed out for observing and trying to learn, but this time if i get *****ed out imma have to cockslap the vag manager //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

Lately ive been offering to do installs for people on the side etc alot more, so im getting experience either way. Id just like to learn enough to get the mecp because as Quest mentioned certs may not mean shit as far as skill goes, but generally with a certification or degree you get a decent amount more money as well as somewhat proof of knowledge. So if i wanna start a career with car audio and continue to other things, more money is good.

 

[timaishu 10+ year member]

Ive thought about it too. I dont see a point though as no one will freakin' hire me for anything.

 

[quest51210 10+ year member]

Yea well at work my ***** *** female manager doesnt get that some people need to actually observe something first hand or actually learn it by experience before they know something. My position as an installer at BB (shitty i know, but its a start) was given away because i cant install security systems, which isnt even my fault because training for it wasnt offered or given to me for the 8 months i worked there before my position was given away. Im thinking im going to start going to work early and observe our senior installer and maybe ill learn a few things. Ive tried doing that before but i always get *****ed out for observing and trying to learn, but this time if i get *****ed out imma have to cockslap the vag manager //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

Lately ive been offering to do installs for people on the side etc alot more, so im getting experience either way. Id just like to learn enough to get the mecp because as Quest mentioned certs may not mean shit as far as skill goes, but generally with a certification or degree you get a decent amount more money as well as somewhat proof of knowledge. So if i wanna start a career with car audio and continue to other things, more money is good.

have you done your own alarm install? i guarantee you that most installers started this way, i did.

i started with a basic alarm, then began doing basic alarms at work. i then got enough confidence to do my own remote start, and began to do them at work, then i moved into more advanced electronics like complex mobile vid setups with multiple sources, touch screens, navi, tuners, game systems, etc....but they all started in my ride and then over into customer cars once i had a grasp of it.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

have you done your own alarm install? i guarantee you that most installers started this way, i did.
i started with a basic alarm, then began doing basic alarms at work. i then got enough confidence to do my own remote start, and began to do them at work, then i moved into more advanced electronics like complex mobile vid setups with multiple sources, touch screens, navi, tuners, game systems, etc....but they all started in my ride and then over into customer cars once i had a grasp of it.

Bingo! don't make the customer the guinea pig..

 

[timaishu 10+ year member]

Bingo! don't make the customer the guinea pig..

Hahaha, good point right there.

My buddy is sort of playing with the idea of getting new audio equipment after he listened to mine. He liked how mine sounded. I would of said no when I was first starting out. But I would be willing to do it now that I have some experience.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

also.. IF you are making anyone the guinea pig don't do anything unreversable.. I.e drilling holes in visible/vital locations.. start out with the tweeters in the kick with the midbass on baffle board..

 

[Zxcvtypo 10+ year member]

I agree with that im just saying I dont see a need in him going though tons of effort to completely learn the book. hand on experince is the key to being a good installer, its just one of those things you cant just read about.

truth.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

well its true with anything hands on.. ya you can read all you want about it but you have to get out there and do it.. you will make mistakes here and there its all about learning to spot and fix them and learn to prevent them..