Power Cable for Radar Detector

[Bellaire]

Has any one tied a power cable from a radar detector into a "switched" source at the fuse box? I am looking to power up a remote radar detector, but I don't rally know exactly where to tie it in. Thanks.
Bellaire

 

[Nasty350LT1]

Not a very bright thing to do. A friend of mine tried it,
and burned his "Radar Detector" up. Just plug it in.

 

[TSTONE]

On my 93 - I ran it to the glove box hot wire - used it that for 6 years until I sold the truck.
On my 97 - I ran it to the rearview mirror hot wire - been using it that way now for 6 years - still works.

 

[Jason94sport]

My V1 is run to the power mirror fuse in the fuse box on my 94.
My 03 Acura is run also to the power mirror fuse.
Both have been fine for years.
Run the ground to a screw, then the + wrap around the fuse & insert it back into the fuse box. Works great.

 

[MONMIX]

I taped mine into my compass on my over head console.

Works like a charm

 

[aldive]

I hardwired mine as well ....

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28574&highlight=radar+detector

 

[JasonF]

On my '04 I hardwired it into the auto-dimming rearview mirror connector. This was really easy (just make sure you check the polarity with a voltmeter, and then disconnect power to it before making the connection). This works great but the only problem is that with the auto dimming, power is interrupted as you switch from park to drive (since the auto dimming un-dims in reverse gear). This means my radar detector powers on once when i start the truck and then power-cycles again as i switch to drive, so it does its little initialize beep noise twice. If you make a lot of short trips this can get a little annoying, and you might want to run a dedicated wire down the A-pillar. But if you dont want to mess with that then the rearview works great if your truck has it.

Jason

 

[MountaineerGreen]

You can run a single small wire up the a pillar from the fuse block. Get a ground behind the overhead console. I have wired the same radar detector into three different vehicles using that method and it works great.

 

[d0nk3x]

just fyi, detectors wouldn't work so well mounted so high up. the middle windshield mounting placement suggested by most radar detector companies is not optimal either. rather, the lower the detector on the windshield the better. just make sure it is not blocked by windshield wipers.

 

[KPT]

I hooked mine into the keyed wire that goes to the radio. Ran the wire up in between the black trim and the gray dash piece too. I'd rather have it on a wire thats only hot in the on and not accessory position but haven't been motivated to find one.

 

[heyok]

This is how I was able to mount my radar detector. I poked around the connector on my rear view mirror until I found power that was activated with the ignition. With some careful poking the pins will come out of the connector and then and just solder onto the pins. The cable was small enough that I could slide it under the factory cable cover to keep things neat. Better yet would be to squeeze the power cable inside the heat shrink or replace the heat shrink and cover things up but I didn't want to go that far.

Tell us what you end up doing!

Al

 

[MountaineerGreen]

just fyi, detectors wouldn't work so well mounted so high up. the middle windshield mounting placement suggested by most radar detector companies is not optimal either. rather, the lower the detector on the windshield the better. just make sure it is not blocked by windshield wipers.

That may be true, but mine mounted up high is out of sight of any officer. They really dont like radar detectors and if you have one and they see it, its almost a guaranteed ticket. Ill keep mine high and out of sight. What id really like to have though, is one of those with the sensors installed front and rear and a hidden display pannel. Those are awsome.

 

[Jason94sport]

just fyi, detectors wouldn't work so well mounted so high up. the middle windshield mounting placement suggested by most radar detector companies is not optimal either. rather, the lower the detector on the windshield the better. just make sure it is not blocked by windshield wipers.

Where are you basing this info? Everything I have heard & read including V1, & Passports websites, as well as car and drivers detector test last year say the higher up on the windshield the better for a radar detector.

I have tested it with my V1 & get better range having it higher then lower. I also get better range on my lifted X then my lowered Acura.

Maybe your thinking of laser? Since most cops are trained to aim laser guns at the front plate area on a car.

 

[MONMIX]

Oh horse raddish

Most radar beams cover two, three four lanes of traffic. I recon mounting it near the top of the windhsield will make any differance.
Like Mountaineergee said, it is pretty stealth. with the factory tint no one knows it is there from the out side. Fold my visor down and it is near impossible to see through the side window.

 

[d0nk3x]

http://www.escortradar.com/radar-detector-faq.htm#q5

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/maximize-detector/2.asp

so basically, my reasoning is that lower mounting positions help cater toward laser. Radar, which works well in basically any mounting height, could be mounted lower without any consequence. I still have a concern with the tint line and i'd rather be safe than sorry with this type of thing.

also, laser is a fast-growing technology. i think i read on radar busters, that hawaii only has laser etc. but prolly not a big worry cuz it'll be slow getting big.

and lastly, trying to keep it somewhere permanent and stealth is a bit contradictory. When theif's know that each unit retails around 100+ near 400 for the V1 and the Bel's and the Escort X50, they're a hot item. a piece i read said a guy "made a quick run" into his local store and it was stolen. I would just mount it low and remove it each time i leave and put it back on each time i enter the car again.

mounting low wont really allow a cop to see it well, and if you're pulled over you can take it out easy and stash it.

jus trying to help

 

[MountaineerGreen]

If you get caught trying to hide stuff in your car when you get pulled over, that could be seen as probable cause and its a good way to get a full search, which will ultimately waste your time and the officers. (assumning your not carrying illegal products) Besides if I had to take mine down and put it up every time I wouldnt do it. Im too lazy.

 

[Jason94sport]

I take mine off the windshield everytime I park my X or car anyway. So concealment isn't a big deal for me. I just didn't want cords all over the place.

 

[d0nk3x]

well mountain, its like you said, if they see it they'll ticket you. Keeping it high really isn't hidden, a cop could easily see it. im just saying if its that much of an issue, i dont really see why you wouldn't try to put it away. And why keep illegal substances on your car anyway =P ur just looking for trouble. im hoping hte quick action to slide the detector out and put it into your glove or center console arm rest wouldn't take that much time, and if ur caught oh well. I'd take that chance, i've got nothing to hide. If ur too lazy to i gues you dont have to, im not instructing you or anything, just imagine how it feels when you were too lazy to take an extra step when someone breaks in and takes all ur stuff. better to err on the side of safety

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Ive never had a cop see my radar detector in any of my three vehicles its been in. Ive been pulled over plenty when I was in high school and they never saw it. I just reach up and turn it off while adjusting my mirror. Its black, the factory tint strip is black, and the mirror housing is black. It cant be seen from outside the vehicle at all.

As for crime and break ins, I have no problems. I am at work right now with the keys sitting in the ingition.

 

[spindlecone]

B.S.
Cops don't give a rip about Radar detectors, the only states that do not allow them are VA, Wash.D.C, also any Military base. Or used on any commercial Vehical over 10 tons.