Fuse Box - Radar Detector

[RitzHammer]

OK I've read a number of threads and posts, but still can't get what I need. I have a 2012 EX. Interior fuse box located below steering wheel by position of left knee. My questions:

1. Do you have to remove black plastic shield with screws to access box?
2. Which fuse is good choice to direct-wire radar detector (on/off with ignition)?
3. Is a mini-fuse tap best choice for connection or wire tap to a power cord?

I want to hard wire the detector to save the 12V outlet space and clean up the installation. This should be a 10 minute fix, but getting to the box is quite a challenge.

I appreciate your feedback!

 

[willwitten]

You might checkout using power from the mirror or from an interior light.
Look at - http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316759

 

[Woolaroc]

You will have to remove the trim bellow the steering wheel to get to the 2012 Fuse box. They added a new trim piece that the 2011 does not have which makes it impossible to get to without removal.

 

[jksanford]

OK I've read a number of threads and posts, but still can't get what I need. I have a 2012 EX. Interior fuse box located below steering wheel by position of left knee. My questions:

1. Do you have to remove black plastic shield with screws to access box?
2. Which fuse is good choice to direct-wire radar detector (on/off with ignition)?
3. Is a mini-fuse tap best choice for connection or wire tap to a power cord?

I want to hard wire the detector to save the 12V outlet space and clean up the installation. This should be a 10 minute fix, but getting to the box is quite a challenge.

I appreciate your feedback!

I was able to get the black plastic piece off, but I too ran into the problem of which fuse to use. I really was hoping someone had responded to this!

I want to use the fuse box because I want to hardwire the radar detector, but I also want to install the add on for the Escort Laser Shifters that I took out of my BMW...

What did you finally decide to do?

James

 

[Leeman]

I tapped into the connector on the back of the rearview mirror as previously mentioned. Works great.

-- Lee

 

[mattadams]

If going to the fuse box, I typically use the radio fuse... its one of the only fuses that is only on when the vehicle is turned on.

 

[dutchman71]

#38 is ignition switched.

 

[Kage_]

Several auto forums I'm on use Add-A-Fuse. You pop out the original fuse, put the Add-A-Fuse in that provides an extra fused leg for your accessory. I'm not sure the policy's here for linking to amazon and such, but you can do a search for Add-A-Fuse to see the hits.

 

[charliez]

What kind of fuse does the Explorer use? Which Add-A-Fuse model fits the Explorer use?

Is it this one? http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-BP-HHH-ATM-Add-A-Fuse/dp/B000GKEXK2

 

[harlenm]

I tapped into the connector on the back of the rearview mirror as previously mentioned. Works great.

-- Lee

I couldn't get that to work. I just ran the wire to the outlet in the center console.

 

[Leeman]

I couldn't get that to work. I just ran the wire to the outlet in the center console.

We did that for a while, and then got tired of the wire touching buttons on the MFT and changing temps, etc.

I ended up purchasing the Rogue mount: http://rogueradarmount.com/

Ended up $35 + $7 shipping (get the 7/8" mount). This is a Canadian company, so you Canada guys may be able to do better.

The mount came with the proper cable with the small taps that work great for the Explorer rear view mirror connector.

If you need, I can put a pic and/or describe which terminal to tap.

-- Lee

 

[harlenm]

We did that for a while, and then got tired of the wire touching buttons on the MFT and changing temps, etc.

I ended up purchasing the Rogue mount: http://rogueradarmount.com/

Ended up $35 + $7 shipping (get the 7/8" mount). This is a Canadian company, so you Canada guys may be able to do better.

The mount came with the proper cable with the small taps that work great for the Explorer rear view mirror connector.

If you need, I can put a pic and/or describe which terminal to tap.

-- Lee

No, I snaked the wire around the top to the a pillar, tucked it in, ran it down to the door, and under the steering wheel, and to the center console, and plug it into the outlet in the center console.

 

[Black Mounty]

Question for Leeman and others. I've found that getting the prongs into the back of the MOLEX connector nearly impossible and will not stay in. Others have had similar problems and have actually spliced the wires for the 12v and ground.

What exactly is the Loex powering in the mirror on the XLT other than the electrochromatic mirror? I see the white sensor on the back and actially if you were to disconect the molex, the detector power cord functions at as the male connector perfectly. Ive jerry-rigged this for the time being and it works flawlessly. Are the autolights working off this sensor as well?

 

[Leeman]

The prongs that come with the Rogue mount are pretty small and seem to work pretty good. I was having the same trouble with the bigger prongs on another cable.

Not sure about the sensor. All I did was find the switch Vdd and Gnd.

-- Lee

 

[harlenm]

This is how I have mine mounted. Would be great if I was able to get it to work with the back of the mirror.

 

[BobbyMarks]

We did that for a while, and then got tired of the wire touching buttons on the MFT and changing temps, etc.

I ended up purchasing the Rogue mount: http://rogueradarmount.com/

Ended up $35 + $7 shipping (get the 7/8" mount). This is a Canadian company, so you Canada guys may be able to do better.

The mount came with the proper cable with the small taps that work great for the Explorer rear view mirror connector.

If you need, I can put a pic and/or describe which terminal to tap.

-- Lee

Excellent lead, no revisions to your thread, got it in the mail and it was mounted right away, connected the pins to the back of the rear view mirror and "vuala", no more cables hanging from the back of the windshield and changing temperatures, radio stations and God know what more.

 

[Dr Plastic]

We did that for a while, and then got tired of the wire touching buttons on the MFT and changing temps, etc.

I ended up purchasing the Rogue mount: http://rogueradarmount.com/

Ended up $35 + $7 shipping (get the 7/8" mount). This is a Canadian company, so you Canada guys may be able to do better.

The mount came with the proper cable with the small taps that work great for the Explorer rear view mirror connector.

If you need, I can put a pic and/or describe which terminal to tap.

-- Lee

OH SWEET JEZZUZ!

That is sweet! I will be getting one of these! THANKS!

 

[peterk9]

OH SWEET JEZZUZ!

That is sweet! I will be getting one of these! THANKS!

Just keep in mind that in Canada, they are only legal in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The police have radar detector detectors and if caught in other parts of Canada you will received a hefty fine AND lose your detector.
In the U.S. using a radar detector in a passenger vehicle is legal in all states with the exception of Virginia (where you live), Washington DC. and on military bases.



Peter

 

[Dr Plastic]

Yes I am fully aware of that fact...thank you very much....I have been using radar detectors or over 20 years and do a lot of long distance traveling out of our great Commonwealth! I use an Escort Passport 9500iX which is invisible to detector detectors!

 

[peterk9]

Yes I am fully aware of that fact...thank you very much....I have been using radar detectors or over 20 years and do a lot of long distance traveling out of our great Commonwealth! I use an Escort Passport 9500iX which is invisible to detector detectors!

Not quite a 100% though. I read an extensive review on the model and it stated the only 100% invisible unit is the Beltronics (BEL) STi Magnum.
In any case, good luck with the unit and happy motoring.

Peter