Dab Aerial Cabling

[nickashton]

Hi,

 

I have bought a DAB aerial from DAB on wheels. I am struggling to identify the best route for passing both DAB and fm cables from the engine bay to the head unit. I have looked at lifting the centre console but I am now struggling finding a suitable route through to the engine bay. Would I have to remove the passenger seat?

 

Any suggestions greatly received.

 

Many thanks

 

Nick

[russelld]

Route it through the passenger side sill , a bit tricky but can be done :-)

[nickashton]

Hi Russell. How do I gain access to the sill? Thanks

[russelld]

Remove the A post trim no 4 on this scetch of parts.

 

http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=1357&MAK=1&MDL=14&SMA=0&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0

 

That will let you get the cable to the front of the sill. You then need to pull the cable through the sill from the back, try using electricians cable rods push through from the back wheel arch to the front ( you are trying to pull the cable back through the sill parallel with the aluminium coolant pipe. ) as I said not easy but can be done, they manage to pull oil lines through for fitting oil coolers at the front of the car.

 

Good luck, If you have problems you can hand it over to Gav :-)

[nickashton]

Thanks Russell.

[Jonathan E]

Run it down the center tunnel following the route of the handbrake cable. Very straight forward and just need to remove a couple of undertrays. You can use your existing fm/am connection so only need to run the dab. It makes life easier if you remove the seats but you should be able to do it with them in situ. Use the inner from a bicycle brake cable to thread through the floor into the engine bay.

Hth

Jon

[nickashton]

A quick update. I followed Jon's advice and ran the DAB cable through the tunnel into the engine bay. Cable all secured and tight in situ within the tunnel. I also used aluminium tape on the underside of the engine cover to give the aerial a better chance. Glad to report that I have perfect DAB signal without signal loss. The aerial I bought was from Dabonwheels. Cost £45. Thanks for the advice Jon. 

[Jonathan E]

Good to hear it was a success

[pa28pilot]

Similar discussions seen on the The Lotus Forums.  Why not make life so much easier and use what you have already plus this or similar:

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/autoleads-pc6-536-car-radio-stereo-headunits-digital-dab-aerial-antenna-splitter.html

If you're replacing the head unit anyway, your're already 9/10ths the way to this alternative.

[Jonathan E]

4 hours ago, pa28pilot said:

Similar discussions seen on the The Lotus Forums.  Why not make life so much easier and use what you have already plus this or similar:

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/autoleads-pc6-536-car-radio-stereo-headunits-digital-dab-aerial-antenna-splitter.html

If you're replacing the head unit anyway, your're already 9/10ths the way to this alternative.

It's only suitable for non amplified aerials, the Elise beesting is amplified so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work? although I haven't seen the Lotus Forums thread so maybe I'm missing something?.

I've tried a few autolead components over the years and I'm yet to be impressed by them.

[nickashton]

I did look at a number of options but settled for replacing the antenna with a proper DAB unit. I utilised the existing RF lead so it was only the routing of the DAB lead which proved tricky. For the cost of £45 it was well worth doing. I really didn't want a stick on antenna on my windscreen hence researching suitable options. The new mast looks virtually identical to the Lotus unit. I plan to be at LITP so will be more than glad to show the installation. 

[StokieAfro]

If I at i would like to pick up on this thread as I'm about to go through this my self but had a screen mount antenna in mind having now spoken with a number of installers.

Granted reception is not 100% but that is my ezpiernace with brand new product currently offered by Audi & VS anyhow.

What drove you guys to go external? and do you have the details of the antenna you went for. A pic of the installation would be good.

[Jonathan E]

Aerial I've used on two elises now

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_DRA-6003_FM-AM_DAB_car_aerial.html

I tried the windscreen jobs but just couldn't get anywhere with them, although others have had a good success rate. The one in the link above is almost identical to the original beesting on the rear boot lid reception is fantastic although not cheap

hth

[StokieAfro]

Would you car to share a pic of the antenna on the car?

Thanks

Steve

[Jonathan E]

Sorry Steve, the car is tucked away at the moment but happy to post one up next weekend when it will be out and about again. If it's any help I defy anyone to be able to tell the difference from the oem aerial it's that close a match.