Adding remote buttons

[merchgod]

I'd like to add duplicate buttons to my detector and place them in a more convenient location (like by the shifter). Can you just crack open the detector, solder on wire to each side of the current buttons leaving them in place, and run the wire to some new buttons? I'm a soldering noob, is there anything I could screw up? Do the new buttons have to be a particular type or is it just merely like a switch?

The unit is a Whistler 3450 remote mount. I do have an older detector that I could practice on.

[asianfire]

Soldering inside a detector can be hard if you don't know what you are doing. The space is small and it is easy to "fry" the board, plastic around the place you are soldering, and loosen the existing solder joints.

[merchgod]

So, a soldering noob shouldn't attempt this? Assuming I wanted to risk it, what type of solder, solder gun and procedure would you recommend for this type of job?

[ftothe3]

to make sure you dont harm the board just use a low power soldering iron. you can get everything from radioshack.
get a 15w iron:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

and some solder. (any type at radioshack)

[merchgod]

Thanks. What about the buttons? They are rated in amps and VAC, whatever that is. Here's a momentary 3-amp pushbutton - would this work? It says normally open, is that right, or would I need closed?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

[eviltwin67]

If it's a Whistler 3450 remote mount, can't you just mount the remote display/control by your shifter? If not, you should call Whister to see if you can just buy another display/control take it apart and use the buttons from the new/extra unit by your shifter. You would just have to splice the wireing of the control buttons w/the main control, but that seems like a safer alternative.

[merchgod]

If it's a Whistler 3450 remote mount, can't you just mount the remote display/control by your shifter? If not, you should call Whister to see if you can just buy another display/control take it apart and use the buttons from the new/extra unit by your shifter. You would just have to splice the wireing of the control buttons w/the main control, but that seems like a safer alternative.

Well, I could mount it by the shifter, but I'm looking for an undectetable install (paranoid about break-ins after many friends going through it). The control unit mounts perfectly where my clock is now. I'm using the stock clock's tinted cover to cover the unit, so it looks 100% stock. I've experimented with tinted plastic and drilling holes for the buttons, but it looks like ass.