XM Radio 8th Gen. Hidden Install

[Seandavid010]

Well, I just finished installing my XM radio in my 8th gen Sedan, and thought I'd take a few pics and share some of what I learned with everyone here.

The receiver I chose was the Commander MT from Audiovox, mainly due to the fact that the display was separate from the tuner, thus lending itself to a more low-key install. I decided I would mount it in the sunglasses holder in the headliner, and gained my inspiration from This thread, but did it a little differently.

When I first undertook the install, I created This post, asking for advice on which fuses were key switched, but didn't really get too many replies, so I had to figure it out on my own. Here's what I found:



Fuse slots 1 and 2 on the Driver's side fuse box are both key switched, as well as slot 13. I used slot #1 for my XM radio, and slot #13 for the power adapter on my GPS. I used the little Add-A-Fuse deals you can get at just about any auto parts store. I also chose to forego the usual wire-crimping hardware included with kits like this, opting instead to solder everything and use shrink-tube, to ensure longevity of the connections.

I didn't take any progress shots, because I did most of it at night, and I wasn't sure how well they would turn out. As it is, It mounted incredibly flush and tight. Here's how it looks now:





The reason I chose to install it in the sunglasses holder is so that when I park my car I can just close it up and no one is the wiser. No cords going everywhere, and most importantly, nothing gaudy mounted on my dashboard. To mount it I used the supplied mounting plate, and fabricated a spacer from mounting board and black felt to make it look stock. (You can't really see much of it, but I think that it speaks to how well integrated it is. But if you look closely along the bottom edge, you can see the spacer and the felt in which it is wrapped.) From there I drilled a small hole in the top of the sunglass holder, and ran the cable along the headliner and down the A-pillar to the receiver, which is mounted alongside the driver's side fuse box.

I also needed to run the Aux-out cable to the center console, and I used This thread to learn how to pop off the trim and not break any of the clips.

It turned out incredibly well. I mounted the antenna in the middle of the dashboard against the front windshield, and reception is great. Also, I wired a second power outlet and stashed it in the headliner, on the passenger's side. I did this so I could power my TomTom, but the reason I wired up a whole power outlet rather than just hardwire the adapter itself for the TomTom was in case I get a new one with a different adapter, I can just pop out the console and swap them. Easy enough.

Next up on the mod list is to wire up a switch so I can listen to either XM or my iPhone through the one Aux input. I have one on order, and it should be here by monday. After that, we do a hard-install of the iPhone charger (I'm thinking about the Kensington LiquidAux for this one) and then on to a Parrot 3100 bluetooth kit, which I will probably do around Thanksgiving. With luck, they will all be as straightforward as this install was (though I'm not holding my breath.)

Thanks for looking, everyone, and I welcome any comments!

[Darth Do'Urden]

That looks fantastic. Well done, sir. But I use my sunglass holder for my sunglasses. =P

I'm glad I have XM radio stock.

[Seandavid010]

Originally Posted by Darth Do'Urden

That looks fantastic. Well done, sir. But I use my sunglass holder for my sunglasses. =P

I'm glad I have XM radio stock.

I envy you that, believe me. But when it came time to buy my accord, I realized that really the only thing from the EX-L package that I wanted was the XM Radio. You see, my wife doesn't care for leather interiors, and automatic climate control tends to rather annoy me, and I figured I could just get the EX and add XM myself.

[pmcjr]

Looks nice! Congrats for being able to do this type of work yourself.

[WolfpackBill]

Looks great! The only problem I see is that it can get very hot in the summer with that in the sunglasses holder. I know my sunglasses get sizzling hot during the summer.

[rexflexall]

Nice, I got an EX in PMM too no XM. Nice job on yours though. You don't live in Vegas do you? Ha Ha...could use the help to install!

[BarqCider]

i have sirius and have the sportster 4. its too big for the aunglasses so its on my right middle vent. thing bout after market sat radio is the issue with the fm transmitter and the cars antenna causing static. you really need to use the aux input to get the best sound for it.

[Seandavid010]

Originally Posted by BarqCider

i have sirius and have the sportster 4. its too big for the aunglasses so its on my right middle vent. thing bout after market sat radio is the issue with the fm transmitter and the cars antenna causing static. you really need to use the aux input to get the best sound for it.

Yeah, in my post I mention that I used the Aux-In in the center console. I didn't use the FM transmitter. I agree that the sound quality isn't terrific over FM, but for some installations, it may be the only option.

[BBP951]

Originally Posted by Seandavid010

When I first undertook the install, I created This post, asking for advice on which fuses were key switched, but didn't really get too many replies, so I had to figure it out on my own. Here's what I found:



Fuse slots 1 and 2 on the Driver's side fuse box are both key switched, as well as slot 13. I used slot #1 for my XM radio, and slot #13 for the power adapter on my GPS. I used the little Add-A-Fuse deals you can get at just about any auto parts store. I also chose to forego the usual wire-crimping hardware included with kits like this, opting instead to solder everything and use shrink-tube, to ensure longevity of the connections.

Nice installation. I did the same thing with my 03 Accord where I installed the controller in the sunglass holder and hooked it up to the head unit via an AUX adapter. Of course I plan on doing the same thing my 09 coupe, minus the AUX adapter. I was wondering does those empty fuse slots provide continuous power to the unit so that it will retain the memory for the presets? That way I don't have to tap the power from the radio harness.

[hillstones]

Originally Posted by WolfpackBill

Looks great! The only problem I see is that it can get very hot in the summer with that in the sunglasses holder. I know my sunglasses get sizzling hot during the summer.

Yep. That is the problem with a sunglass holder mounted directly under a metal roof. In the summer, it acts like an oven and cooks whatever is inside. I don't even use my sunglass holder because the sunglasses get way too hot. Hopefully your XM display won't get damaged from excessive heat.

Great job on the install.

[Honda247]

That looks clean. Nice job on the install.......

[Seandavid010]

Originally Posted by BBP951

Nice installation. I did the same thing with my 03 Accord where I installed the controller in the sunglass holder and hooked it up to the head unit via an AUX adapter. Of course I plan on doing the same thing my 09 coupe, minus the AUX adapter. I was wondering does those empty fuse slots provide continuous power to the unit so that it will retain the memory for the presets? That way I don't have to tap the power from the radio harness.

Well, the power from those fuses are switched by the key in the II (on) position, and when you remove the key it kills power to any device connected to it. I guess my receiver is new enough that it remembers the presets even when the power is off.

Originally Posted by hillstones

Yep. That is the problem with a sunglass holder mounted directly under a metal roof. In the summer, it acts like an oven and cooks whatever is inside. I don't even use my sunglass holder because the sunglasses get way too hot. Hopefully your XM display won't get damaged from excessive heat.

Great job on the install.

I haven't noticed it getting very hot (but then again, it's really cold out here lately.) I'll keep an eye on it during the summertime, and if it gets to be a problem, maybe I'll have to put some type of insulation between the roof and the console.

Originally Posted by Honda247

That looks clean. Nice job on the install.......

Thanks!

[Sig86 CM8]

f'in clean. i wish they still made this unit as well as the sirius unit that was similar. but with both companies merging and products to be 1 unit soon who knows what's coming out

[jamesong]

First I want to say thanks for this write up. I'm using it to install the same thing (Commander MT) in my 07 SE.

Not sure if anyone will see this or not, but I just wanted to ask where you connected the negative cable from the receiver. Did you just put it in with all the other ground wires around the fuse box on the driver side?

Thanks.

EDIT: I finally finished installing the Commander MT. Just grounded the power to one of the spots by the fuse box. Hardest part was drilling a hole into the overhead console to route the wire for the display. Thanks again for this writeup!

[kwguinness]

I know this thread has been here a while, but I have used parts of it for inspiration on the installation of my XM. Not sure if anyone is paying any attention to this thread anymore, but I have a question.

I'm currently 3/4 through the permanent install of my XM Audiovox Xpress and so far I have mounted it using a Pro.Fit Internation VSM Mount, I moved the antenna from the rear deck where reception was so so, to the front dash based on peoples experience on the various threads around here, and have run the Aux Cable under the shifter and drilled through the center console. So far, so good with everything. The only thing I have left to do is hardwire the power. I think I am going to use one of those add a power outlet cigarette lighters. This way I don't have to cut the cables to my XM power supply and can just plug it in and hide it behind the dash. I would like to hardwire it to the fuse box, rather than tap into the existing cigarette lighter wires. I was planning on grounding the unit to exposed metal somewhere behind the dash and using one of the Add-A-Fuse Circuits Sean used in his install. So heres my question and I apologize if it is a stupid one, but I don't want to screw this up:

Do the empty fuse slots Sean recommended provide continuous 12V of power? I don't want to fry my XM and I feel like I read somewhere that although your car operates on 12V, sometimes it can be "down converted" through the fuse panel to a lower volatage. Also what AMP fuse should I use with the add a fuse? I'm guessing a 10AMP would work.

Also: My vehicle is an '09 Accord EX V6