AL G8 Extension

[twentyseventy]

Why couldn't you just locate the interface closer to the rear?

^ +1.

Relocate the control box - let it source power from somewhere else, if-necessary, or simply extend your current wiring.

Extending wiring for the controls may also be required, but that should still be less worrisome than having to extend the wiring for the heads.

Maybe. I'd have to extend the buzzer, options button, and power switch and install the CPU somewhere else besides under the steering column. I figured it would be easier to just run two longer cables to the rear than to try and put the cpu box somewhere else in the car. Any good ideas for placement if I do move the CPU?

[TSi+WRX]

Maybe. I'd have to extend the buzzer, options button, and power switch and install the CPU somewhere else besides under the steering column. I figured it would be easier to just run two longer cables to the rear than to try and put the cpu box somewhere else in the car. Any good ideas for placement if I do move the CPU?

The only thing that worries me about the longer cables is whether or not it would be successful - I know that the LI Team was very honest and responsive in telling their customers whether such extensions could be done, with the LI, and what maximal length, they considered, would be acceptable (6.5 meters total length, IIRC), but I don't know the precise reason as to why there is such a maximal consideration.

As for where to locate the box, I'd work backwards - find the rear setup you're comfortable with, for the heads, and then trail the wiring back in...since the entire trunk enclosure is weathertight, having the box anywhere in there, even if, for whatever reason, you can't get it back inside the cabin, shouldn't be a problem.

Inside the cabin, under the rear bench, as well as inside the center console, would be prime, "weatherproof" and completely secure/out-of-sight spots to locate the box. Under the driver or passenger's seat would also be acceptable, but be sure you pay attention to rear footwell space for passengers and work to weatherproof (as well as kick/snag-proof) your control-box, if that's the case.

[untrueparadox]

from my knowledge of electrical circuitry and wires, a regular rj11 will do perfectly and impact nothing regarding performance. given the signal is electrical, which im 100% sure it is, an extra 5 feet of wire has almost no resistance, so it will not weaken or destroy the signal by much. the end result will still be perfectly "legible" as 0's and 1's. as far as the "it will delay" concern, electric signals travel at near light speeds, so an extra 5 feet is like fractions of a nanosecond. if u got 200 pulses in a second, thats a pulse every 5 milisecond = 5000 nanoseconds.

just get it tested to see if it works. i honestly dont see why people should spend $80 on an extension wire. they still sell it on the czech dealer site if u translate that to english using google.

[TSi+WRX]

^ I agree - and that's all very well-reasoned.

I just can't reconcile those facts with what Team LI posted prior as one of their tech-tips regarding the maximal length of wiring to the head(s).... Note that LI does not sell extension wiring - and even if they did so, now, at the time they rendered the above advice, they did not.

I don't know if it's something to do with their specific system, or if it is inherent to all....

And I definitely do not know "why."

[twentyseventy]

from my knowledge of electrical circuitry and wires, a regular rj11 will do perfectly and impact nothing regarding performance. given the signal is electrical, which im 100% sure it is, an extra 5 feet of wire has almost no resistance, so it will not weaken or destroy the signal by much. the end result will still be perfectly "legible" as 0's and 1's. as far as the "it will delay" concern, electric signals travel at near light speeds, so an extra 5 feet is like fractions of a nanosecond. if u got 200 pulses in a second, thats a pulse every 5 milisecond = 5000 nanoseconds.

just get it tested to see if it works. i honestly dont see why people should spend $80 on an extension wire. they still sell it on the czech dealer site if u translate that to english using google.

Alright, good information all around, thanks! Now to go get some telephone extenders...

[untrueparadox]

^ I agree - and that's all very well-reasoned.

I just can't reconcile those facts with what Team LI posted prior as one of their tech-tips regarding the maximal length of wiring to the head(s).... Note that LI does not sell extension wiring - and even if they did so, now, at the time they rendered the above advice, they did not.

I don't know if it's something to do with their specific system, or if it is inherent to all....

And I definitely do not know "why."

i just think its part of business. u got people paying $700 for a couple electrical circuits, some wires, and 2 laser diodes. i know it takes lots of research and dev, marketing, and manufacturing, LI and any other companies exist to make money, but their profit margin is probably $200 a unit at regular price. wont they figure that people would shell out an additional $100 for some wire extenders? they probably wanted to market some but figured nobody needed them because the provided rear units provided had wires that were long enough.

[TSi+WRX]

^ Certainly could be that possibility - it is a business, like any other business.

But Cliff as well as the rest of the tech team has never intimated a desire to market such an extension, and has always advised moving the control-box, instead...and what's more, when others have asked, have given specific and explicit instruction as to how to complete a DIY extension.

I think it's just something that's worth keeping in-mind.

Certainly, if the end-user is able to test the setup (hopefully, with multiple police LIDAR) under controlled circumstances, that would be ideal, but failing that, I think the better course would be to simply err on the side of caution (i.e. staying under the recommended maximum length as cited by the LI team, of their product), particularly as extension of the control-box's power and ground leads, as well the extension of the controls' leads, are so straightforward.