Hardwire Your Radar Detector

by **bassthrive** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:57 am

Follow step 1: removing driver's side knee panel, as per instruction here http://www.aircargodispatch.com/paul/tutorial.htm
NOTE: you do not need to remove the hood release for this install.

I used some pretty light gauge wire (24), you wont need more than 6 feet. Tap into 12v power at the 20A fuse at the top left of the fuse panel behind the change tray. This is your seat heater circuit and will switch on when your engine is running or the key in in the ON position. You should have this even if you dont have heated seats. The reason I suggest you use such light gauge wire is that you can simply pull the fuse, stick one of the stripped leads in the fuse holder, and reinsert the fuse. Take the other lead and ground it to the chassis.

The hard part is done. Run the wire up and along the base of the windshield and splice it into your radar detector's power cable, making sure to match up +12v with +12v and ground with ground. Turn your ignition to ON to test the circuit. Secure with some electrical tape, replace the knee panel, and youre done!

Good luck avoiding the five-o!
Paul

by **happy_aggies** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 2:59 pm

That is pretty kewl.

by **AzN_DrAgoN48** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 6:05 pm

pictures of how the dector looks?

by **cruze105** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 6:49 pm

hey nice, u really know ur stuff

by **Luc** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:03 pm

Here is my remote mount of a BEL 615STi, old, but still works, in my older car, Gen3.

Brain under radio:

Radar detector below bumper:

Front laser detector:

Rear laser detector:

The 12V accessory and ground were just tapped into the wire bundle with the radio. The radar wire set was run inside the front passenger wheel fender and front & rear laser through the headliner.

by **bassthrive** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 9:35 pm

Thats a nice setup. Mine is no way near as complicated. I was just tired of having a stupid wire going to my cigarette lighter, blocking access to my cd player.

by **SolaraGuyDos** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 12:24 pm

thats flippin cool, when i get my radar ill be sure to do that!

by **avalon01** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:07 am

what vehicles will this work on?

by **bassthrive** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:09 am

avalon01 wrote:what vehicles will this work on?

Any vehicle. It is just a matter of finding a circuit to tap into that is hot while the car is running.

by **Pilyo** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:05 pm

Correct me if I am wrong. The same principle can be applied if I wanted to hardwire my Magellan Roadmate yes?

I have been toying with the idea of permanently mounting the nav right below the clock, flush like an aftermarket HU install. The only catch is, I am not sure how the unit would hold up exposed to extreme temperatures...heat of summer and the bite of winter...and not to forget, the cravings of a crack addict wanting to get a quick fix.

by **SleeperSolara** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 5:30 pm

Yeah mine power wire runs on the left the the cd player, almost gets stuck but doesn't; kind-of catches on when the Alpine opens to put in CD.
Nice tutorial "Bassthrive".

by **ptung07** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:03 pm

Hi,
Thanks for the DIY guide. I have a 2006 Solara Convertible. If I were to tap into the 20A fuse as described above, would it overload the fuse if BOTH the radar detector was on, and the seat warmers were on? (Both seat warmers activated, driver and passenger)?
Thanks again everyone,
Paul

by **bassthrive** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:12 pm

^ radar detector pulls very little current compared to seat warmers so i dont think you have anything to worry about.

by **ptung07** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:30 am

Thanks again,
Yeah, I checked the amperage of the whistler wireless radar dectror that I was going to put in, and it only draws .2amps. Since its a 20amp fuse, I should be ok

Hardwire Your Radar Detector

Hardwire Your Radar Detector

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