Looking for a second opinion on installing a XM module

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

I'm going to be installing a XM module in my car and I had a question about how to hook up the positive voltage lead. Do I have to hook it up to the battery or can I just go ahead and run it parallel off the +12 Vdc line to the head unit?

Thanks everyone.

/edit: I ask this because I can't tell if the directions mean connect to a battery source (headunit power lead) or directly to the battery.

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[edzy 10+ year member]

As long as the HU power wire is not like 16-18 awg, it should be fine. Also ground it at the same spot as the HU.

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

As long as the HU power wire is not like 16-18 awg, it should be fine.

Is this a factor relating to how much current a 16-18 AWG wire can carry?

Also ground it at the same spot as the HU.

I was planning on mounting the XM module in the trunk, so that may be a problem.

 

[edzy 10+ year member]

no biggie then. It just helps to stop ground loop noise by using as few as possible grounding spot.

 

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

can you just tap into you amplifiers power and ground? or do you not have an external amplifier in the trunk?

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

can you just tap into you amplifiers power and ground? or do you not have an external amplifier in the trunk?

No amps in the trunk currently.

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

Another thing, I bought my antenna used, so whats the best way of replacing or making the adhesive sticky again?

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

I have my sirius tuner tapped into the distro block

 

[jrobb 10+ year member]

Another thing, I bought my antenna used, so whats the best way of replacing or making the adhesive sticky again?

double sided tape...

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

double sided tape...

But given in the instructions it says mount to a metallic surface. Doesn't that imply somewhat that the adhesive that comes with the antenna allows some flow of current so the car's body can act as a voltage ground?

 

[lostdaytomorrow 10+ year member]

But given in the instructions it says mount to a metallic surface. Doesn't that imply somewhat that the adhesive that comes with the antenna allows some flow of current so the car's body can act as a voltage ground?

That is not the case here. Why would it need to be grounded when it's already grounded at the module?

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Most antennas are magnetic and you just place them on the roof of the car for best reception. I have mine sitting on my dash. It does cut out a little more often though. So yeah it doesnt have to be mounted to metal.

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

That is not the case here. Why would it need to be grounded when it's already grounded at the module?

The antenna is a Terk TRK-SR2 and after some further research, it looks like it does use the car body as a ground plane.

When selecting an antenna location for the TRK-SR2, make sure the

proposed site meets the following conditions:

a. The selected site must have a conductive surface area (e.g., metal or

aluminum roof) of at least 2-1⁄4 square feet and be 6 inches from

rear window molding.

I have found that placing the adhesive side next to a space heater does a great job at making the adhesive sticky again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Minto Took 10+ year member]

Well, I finally got the system installed. Now to find any loose ends that need to be tied up.

 

[edzy 10+ year member]

good job.