Replacing ZS EV aerial with shark fin style from the HS or similar?

[javiermi]

Just installed my antenna and really looks the part!
Radio signal ( DAB) is good
Only problem is the double sided tape is not very good and had to take it out and use some strong glue - only time will tell if it was sufficient

 

[Topeka]

@Susanna @Eclectic

For anyone that has fitted this - mine arrived a few months back - I know it might sound silly, but is it safe to fit? Do I need to 'earth' myself or do anything in terms of the car's battery before fitting? The instructions for the one I ordered from AliXpress are along the lines of:

1. Unscreen the old longer aerial
2. Loop the metal ring onto the screw supplied, the screw that into the old thread of the previous aerial.
3. Stick down the plastic cover of the new aerial using the 3M tape


Just a bit concerned about the metal screw/ring and screwing it into a metal thread attached to the rest of the car?

Also, does where do we put the nut/washer thingy that came with the kit?

Thanks

 

[Susanna]

@Topeka

It didn’t occur to me that I might need to take any precautions before fitting the shark fin aerial, but everything was fine so no need to worry.
Make sure that the area of the installation is clean and dry obviously, and it can help adhesion if both parts are nice and warm. I don’t recall having a washer and nut - were they just used to keep the screw secure through the loop for transport maybe?
I have had no issues with mine; still firmly attached, although I always hand wash my car.
Good luck with your installation. Let us know how it goes please.

 

[Eclectic]

No need to earth yourself, but leave the car "off" when fitting the aerial. Mine has been absolutely fine, still firmly fixed to the roof, and it has been snow foamed and jet washed a couple of times.

 

[scoobeesnac]

Nb. the aerial is also used for remote/app operation, service removed my shark fin to attempt to fix my connection issues.

 

[Susanna]

@scoobeesnac
I have had no issues with DAB or the iSMART app after installing the shark fin aerial - it all works just the same as it did before.

 

[Coulomb]

the aerial is also used for remote/app operation, service removed my shark fin to attempt to fix my connection issues.

I think that just means that they suspected the aerials are shared, and wanted to eliminate that as a possibility.

I think I read somewhere that the iSmart / TBOX aerial is separate, located somewhere under the dash. It would seem bad to transmit data on the same aerial connection that the car radio uses for reception. The car radio will be expecting microvolts, and the TBOX will be transmitting with several volts.

 

[scoobeesnac]

I think that just means that they suspected the aerials are shared, and wanted to eliminate that as a possibility.

I think I read somewhere that the iSmart / TBOX aerial is separate, located somewhere under the dash. It would seem bad to transmit data on the same aerial connection that the car radio uses for reception. The car radio will be expecting microvolts, and the TBOX will be transmitting with several volts.

Yup. Next up - dash/steering wheel removal

 

[Topeka]

For any that have installed this - we're having a bit of difficulty.

Firstly, the double-sided tape that came in it was useless and didn't leave a flush finish.

We tried using Loctite super glue, but for some reason it just wouldn't adhere the plastic of the sharkfin aerial to the metal of the car. Could have been the temperature. Now we're left with superglue residue on the roof.

Also noticed that the radio and satnav seemed to work fine without attaching the wire from the sharkfin to the base of the old aerial (attached to the car). So I might try it without.

 

[Coulomb]

we're having a bit of difficulty.

You mean you came unstuck? Sorry, couldn't resist!

Also noticed that the radio and satnav seemed to work fine without attaching the wire from the sharkfin to the base of the old aerial (attached to the car). So I might try it without.

Where you really need the aerial is in poor signal areas. I think you'll find it helps a lot there.

 

[Eclectic]

For any that have installed this - we're having a bit of difficulty.

Firstly, the double-sided tape that came in it was useless and didn't leave a flush finish.

I found that the fin was slightly too small at the base, so that its inner edge was just touching the outer edge of the car mount base. This meant that it took a slight amount of pressure to get it flush to the roof, and is probably why your tape didn't work.

I chamfered the inner edge of the fin with a rasp, it was an easy job, and took off just enough plasic so that the fin sat down flush onto the roof with no pressure. The tape then held fine, and has done so for over a year without problems.

 

[Topeka]

I found that the fin was slightly too small at the base, so that its inner edge was just touching the outer edge of the car mount base. This meant that it took a slight amount of pressure to get it flush to the roof, and is probably why your tape didn't work.

I chamfered the inner edge of the fin with a rasp, it was an easy job, and took off just enough plasic so that the fin sat down flush onto the roof with no pressure. The tape then held fine, and has done so for over a year without problems.

Yes definitely a couple of mms too small. Will do as you did and trim the inner edge. Thanks.

 

[Rocketdogroya]

Hi, I am looking to try this but the link at the beginning of this is now dead so I am worried about buying the correct one. All that has been advised is 'super shark' but some are still having to adjust that with a rasp as it is a little small.

I'm not averse to shopping around to find it but can anyone provide the dimensions of what they have bought so I can confirm mine will be suitable please? Thank you so much.

PS I am disabled so cant measure it myself.