Snowride
19/12/2004, 20h04
Arctic Cat apparently wants $400 US for a remote start and install. I found this little item which combines a remote start and alarm into a neat package and may interest some of you. It was designed for motorcycles which means it must have relatively good waterproofing. The kit was purchased on ebay for $35US. He has several models to chose from but for this application I do not believe any of the other models will fit the vent hole. You may have to flip through a few pages before you find the model I chose but just look for "Motorcycle Alarm security remote start engine" http://www.stores.ebay.com/samitoelectronicsinc
In this pic you can see the shape of the head of the key which is to the right. I had to get a spare Arctic Cat key and saw/drill/grind/file to match the one that came with the kit in order for it to fit the remote. To the left is the final product after I installed the modified key. If you do not want to go to all this trouble then simply attach your key to the chain on the remote.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795905.jpg
In the next 2 pics you can see the side markers I put in for signalling and improved visibility at night. Size wise they are almost perfect (just about a 1/4" to short) and fit very well in the recess after removal of the original reflectors. You will be required to drill 2 new holes in the plastic to secure them in place with bolts and locknuts. I warn you, it is a big install for the rear portion!!! The markers are of the LED type so they draw almost no current, will not burn out and are completely sealed. I purchased them here. Heck they ended up costing more than the remote starter/alarm. The side markers are optional and the system does not require you add these to function.
http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/cm/cm_M20350.htm
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795589.jpg
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795508.jpg
In the next pic you see where it all gets connected. The smaller wire loom feeding into the main ignition harness is my install.
Wiring is as follows:
First color is always from remote module and the next wire is at the ignition harness. I preferred to use a small precision screw driver and release the female spades from the igniton connector in oder to let me solder to the terminal as opposed to tapping into the wire but either method will work fine.
Orange to Yellow/Red
Blue to Black/yellow
Black to Black or chassis
Red to Red/White.
Yellow to side clearance markers or taped up if this is not used.
Pink and Grey from module are taped up and not used.
There is a black wire which is indicated "cut to reduce sensitivity". This is for the alarm sensitivity and must be cut otherwise if you sneeze it will go off.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795394.jpg
In the next pic you can see where I installed everything and it makes it very neat, protected and unobtrusive. The siren which is the red thing to the upper right has 2 holes in the base and I was able to remove an existing screw of the sled and use it to securly hold the siren in place. I had to drill out one of the siren base holes to accomodate the larger diameter screw and I also had to file away a little plastic from the body of the siren to allow the head of the screw to sit properly and to be able to get the socket wrench on it. The module itself is secured with 2 tie wraps which go through the 2 holes I drilled in the plastic. Both the module and siren have a sticky tape on the backside to help in securing them. I was a little concerned about the small size of the siren but it actually hurt my ears when set off in my garage. Believe me, it's very loud.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795187.jpg
Put the vent cover back on and this is all you see.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795262.jpg
Operation is very simple The lock and the unlock buttons equate to arm and disarm. The lightning bolt button gets pushed twice and on then a second time is when the starter engages. Holding it when pushed the second time will let it crank until you release it otherwise it will only crank for about 2 seconds which may not be enough to fire her up. Caution should be used because once it's running and if you mistakenly (highly unlikely) push it twice again it will grind the gears but only for 2 seconds. The siren chirps twice about 10 seconds after the sled is shut down as a reminder to arm the alarm. One chirp is armed and 2 chirps is disarmed. After it has started it will only run for 8 min unless you push the start button again which will allow you to operate the sled without the key or if you insert the key and turn it to the on position. There is also a little switch on the remote to turn it off in order to avoid unwanted signals being sent when you put it in your pocket.
I guess the big question is how long will this thing last? I'll tell you when it breaks which is hopefully never. The beauty of the whole thing is if something were to cause problems for whatever reason you could simply open the vent cover and unplug the harness which will dissconnect everything and since no wires were cut or jumped, it will be as if you never installed it. The install is fairly new but I have used both the alarm and started it dozens of times and put about 600miles on the sled with everything working as it should.
If you are only interested in an alarm and not the starter, hookup is a snap and will only require you to connect 2 wires (power and ground) but the location/install of the rest would remain the same. $35 for just and alarm is still cheap.
Enjoy and be careful out there. Please remember to keep to the right at all times, especially in the corners. My life as well as yours depends on it.
In this pic you can see the shape of the head of the key which is to the right. I had to get a spare Arctic Cat key and saw/drill/grind/file to match the one that came with the kit in order for it to fit the remote. To the left is the final product after I installed the modified key. If you do not want to go to all this trouble then simply attach your key to the chain on the remote.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795905.jpg
In the next 2 pics you can see the side markers I put in for signalling and improved visibility at night. Size wise they are almost perfect (just about a 1/4" to short) and fit very well in the recess after removal of the original reflectors. You will be required to drill 2 new holes in the plastic to secure them in place with bolts and locknuts. I warn you, it is a big install for the rear portion!!! The markers are of the LED type so they draw almost no current, will not burn out and are completely sealed. I purchased them here. Heck they ended up costing more than the remote starter/alarm. The side markers are optional and the system does not require you add these to function.
http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/cm/cm_M20350.htm
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795589.jpg
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795508.jpg
In the next pic you see where it all gets connected. The smaller wire loom feeding into the main ignition harness is my install.
Wiring is as follows:
First color is always from remote module and the next wire is at the ignition harness. I preferred to use a small precision screw driver and release the female spades from the igniton connector in oder to let me solder to the terminal as opposed to tapping into the wire but either method will work fine.
Orange to Yellow/Red
Blue to Black/yellow
Black to Black or chassis
Red to Red/White.
Yellow to side clearance markers or taped up if this is not used.
Pink and Grey from module are taped up and not used.
There is a black wire which is indicated "cut to reduce sensitivity". This is for the alarm sensitivity and must be cut otherwise if you sneeze it will go off.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795394.jpg
In the next pic you can see where I installed everything and it makes it very neat, protected and unobtrusive. The siren which is the red thing to the upper right has 2 holes in the base and I was able to remove an existing screw of the sled and use it to securly hold the siren in place. I had to drill out one of the siren base holes to accomodate the larger diameter screw and I also had to file away a little plastic from the body of the siren to allow the head of the screw to sit properly and to be able to get the socket wrench on it. The module itself is secured with 2 tie wraps which go through the 2 holes I drilled in the plastic. Both the module and siren have a sticky tape on the backside to help in securing them. I was a little concerned about the small size of the siren but it actually hurt my ears when set off in my garage. Believe me, it's very loud.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795187.jpg
Put the vent cover back on and this is all you see.
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL348/944791/3836270/48795262.jpg
Operation is very simple The lock and the unlock buttons equate to arm and disarm. The lightning bolt button gets pushed twice and on then a second time is when the starter engages. Holding it when pushed the second time will let it crank until you release it otherwise it will only crank for about 2 seconds which may not be enough to fire her up. Caution should be used because once it's running and if you mistakenly (highly unlikely) push it twice again it will grind the gears but only for 2 seconds. The siren chirps twice about 10 seconds after the sled is shut down as a reminder to arm the alarm. One chirp is armed and 2 chirps is disarmed. After it has started it will only run for 8 min unless you push the start button again which will allow you to operate the sled without the key or if you insert the key and turn it to the on position. There is also a little switch on the remote to turn it off in order to avoid unwanted signals being sent when you put it in your pocket.
I guess the big question is how long will this thing last? I'll tell you when it breaks which is hopefully never. The beauty of the whole thing is if something were to cause problems for whatever reason you could simply open the vent cover and unplug the harness which will dissconnect everything and since no wires were cut or jumped, it will be as if you never installed it. The install is fairly new but I have used both the alarm and started it dozens of times and put about 600miles on the sled with everything working as it should.
If you are only interested in an alarm and not the starter, hookup is a snap and will only require you to connect 2 wires (power and ground) but the location/install of the rest would remain the same. $35 for just and alarm is still cheap.
Enjoy and be careful out there. Please remember to keep to the right at all times, especially in the corners. My life as well as yours depends on it.