Can the Switch for the Hopkins Trailblazer Electronic Deer Alert be Installed Inside of the Vehicle

Question:

I had the Trailblazer Electronic Deer Alert installed by a Collision Repair shop last week. They installed it with a switch under the hood. Is there an alternate wiring installation procedure to have a below dashboard switch installed to allow for convenient on/off function from inside the vehicle. Also, is there a guideline regarding how this unit will impact a dog that may ride in the vehicle.

asked by: Gene M

Expert Reply:

First, you can install the switch for the Hopkins Trailblazer Deer Alert, # HM27512VA, in the cab of the vehicle. You would just need to route the wires that lead from the switch to the alert through the firewall to the alert. The only restriction is the length of the wire. You may need to extend the switch wires if they do not reach from the alert to the inside of the vehicle.

This installation method may require drilling through the firewall if the wires cannot be routed through an existing opening. Use caution when drilling through the firewall because there may be components on the other side you would not want to drill in to.

A dog riding in the car will probably be able to hear the alert since dogs have much better hearing than humans. Whether or not it bothers the dog depends on the dog. Each pooch has their own personality, as you probably know. How the dog reacts to the alert depends on the personality.

What you could do, which may or may not work, is to have the dog near by and play the video in the question and answer I have linked. If the sound of the alert in the video upsets the dog, the real thing probably would too.

expert reply by: Michael H