Pics. of Sirius Satellite Installation

[E34 530]

Here's some pic's of the radio hardwired. I made use out of the enormous ashtray that I sometimes forgot was even there. I absolutely hate seeing wires, so hardwiring was a must. I took the plastic cover off the front of the ashtray and cut the metal tray to make a mounting bracket. I also had to cut the plastic casing behind the metal tray. I ran the power wires fom a cirgarette lighter adapter directly to the back of the cigarette lighter. Finally, I spliced the wires from the adaptor and connected them to the cigarrete socket with 2 butt connectors. Was pretty easy, just time consuming to get all of the pieces out from behind the ashtray.
-Sorry about the crappy pic's, but it won't stop raining in this godforsaken state.

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[Scott H]

:d 1.9.06

[kyleN20]

great location

[dacoyote]

nice work

[E34 530]

:d 1.9.06

Can't Wait! It feels so weird to hear people cursing without it being edited lol.

[Incantation]

nice .. is the face of the unit removable? i like the installation but my only concern would be that it might attract thieves..

[E34 530]

nice .. is the face of the unit removable? i like the installation but my only concern would be that it might attract thieves..


Yes, it is removable, I screwed the plastic mounting bracket that came with it directly into the metal. It clicks into place. Hopefully after I get a little tint, it will be kind of be not-so-obvious.

[hakwuzhere]

Thieves that steal XM and Sirrius radio are in for a surprise... they STILL have to pay for a subscribtion...

[ElNormo]

I'm considering a similar strategy for powering a small GPS unit... plug into the back of the cigarette lighter. Does your radio stay powered even when the car is off? I'm afraid that I'll forget to turn the GPS off, and it will drain my battery. In my case, it appears that the cigarette lighter stays powered all the time.

Thanks, good job!

Norman

[dave b]

What kind of antenna is required?

I'm thinking about doing the same thing, same station...

Dave

[E34 530]

I'm considering a similar strategy for powering a small GPS unit... plug into the back of the cigarette lighter. Does your radio stay powered even when the car is off? I'm afraid that I'll forget to turn the GPS off, and it will drain my battery. In my case, it appears that the cigarette lighter stays powered all the time.

Thanks, good job!

Norman

Yes, the cigarette lighter does stay on all of the time. Fortunetly (sp?) the radio has an automatic turn off when you leave the car so such an instance doesn't happen. While installing my dad's, I found out that his car is the same way. It seems that most cars cigarette lighters stay on even when the car is off. My mom's Infiniti seems to be the only exception I have come across.

[E34 530]

What kind of antenna is required?

I'm thinking about doing the same thing, same station...

Dave

The antenna comes with any unit you buy. e34's have deep molding pockets so it's easy to conceal the antenna wires in them.

[liquidtiger720]

Did they not have a black sirius unit?

Otherwise...good job! :)

My HU is sirius ready. :)

[Derek A.]

I have found the cig-lighter on my car isn't grounded worth a $hit. Am getting all kinds of ground loop noise through my XM unit. Might end up running some wires right to the battery to feed this unit.

Any suggestions for power taps on in the frontal area of the car ?

[E34 530]

I have found the cig-lighter on my car isn't grounded worth a $hit. Am getting all kinds of ground loop noise through my XM unit. Might end up running some wires right to the battery to feed this unit.

Any suggestions for power taps on in the frontal area of the car ?


Honestly no clue. I know some people run their subs directly to their battery, but that's about it. Sorry I couldn't help you out more.

[danielbritt]

i have a plug and play XACT Visor (Sirius) unit that i have in my 1995 540i. I move it between my wife's car and mine. i just took a quick look at it yesterday, but my plans are to hardwire a power cable to either the lighter or battery. for now, i have the antenna sitting inside of my rear window and im going to find a way to tuck the antenna wire in nice and neat. im getting great reception and i can leave the antenna inside the car soon as i can find a way to keep it in place. ill get some photos asap!