DIY instructions. Hardwire your Radar already!
12-14-2005, 05:54 PM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
DIY instructions. Hardwire your Radar already!
BTW there are many, many ways to HW things for your car. This is MY way. It works for me, it's safe. blah blah blah. If you have other suggestions please share.
The cig lighter is not working for you, I know that for a fact. Hardwire it. It's a NO-BRAINER. I have hardwired radar, cell phone chargers, garmin gps units, you name it. I've only lost 1 vehicle to fire from my installation tactics. J/K. It's easy and safe. DIY!!!
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera240.jpg">
Since this pic was taken, I have relocated the plug to above the center of the dash and not the far left corner. You will get better rear coverage if your unit is centered.
Open the fuse box located on the left of the dash board, it's panel is available only when you open the d side door. look for one of the two or three open fuse locations that have a metal fitting inside. cut the end off of your radar detector plug (removing the cig. lighter piece). leave enough room in case you later on wish to add the cig lighter.
wire the positive into another wire that has an integrated fuse.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/inline.jpg">
or if you like a blade fuse use
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/link2.jpg">
splice the positive side to this new wire, then plug it into the fuse box using a simple insert connector that I call a fuse tap.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/FUSETAP.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/TAP.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/TAPFUSE.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/CONNECT.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/box.jpg">
You can plug into an open spot in your fuse box, or tap into an existing fuse (connect to something not essential to your car's safety or performance).. regardless, use the inline fuse wire. This will blow first if you have an issue with your radar.
the ground wire is easy. there is a screw to the right of the fuse box, use a connector again and use this for your ground. it will look similiar to this...
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/ground.jpg">
once you close the fuse box door, nothing will be visible, it will appear very clean.
run the power wire out of the fuse box, up and to the left, sneak it behind the pillar and squeeze it out to the windshield area. You don't have to remove the pillar. I lined a very thin tool with electrical tape and used it to push the power wire down and under the pillar and then around the outer border of the dash. just use a flat head or something thin, but strong. I lined it with tape to make it smooth so it wouldn't tear anything.
oh and yes, it will work without the inline fuse, but it's risky.
credits: AUDIWORLD PICTURE POSTER
The cig lighter is not working for you, I know that for a fact. Hardwire it. It's a NO-BRAINER. I have hardwired radar, cell phone chargers, garmin gps units, you name it. I've only lost 1 vehicle to fire from my installation tactics. J/K. It's easy and safe. DIY!!!
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera240.jpg">
Since this pic was taken, I have relocated the plug to above the center of the dash and not the far left corner. You will get better rear coverage if your unit is centered.
Open the fuse box located on the left of the dash board, it's panel is available only when you open the d side door. look for one of the two or three open fuse locations that have a metal fitting inside. cut the end off of your radar detector plug (removing the cig. lighter piece). leave enough room in case you later on wish to add the cig lighter.
wire the positive into another wire that has an integrated fuse.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/inline.jpg">
or if you like a blade fuse use
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/link2.jpg">
splice the positive side to this new wire, then plug it into the fuse box using a simple insert connector that I call a fuse tap.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/FUSETAP.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/TAP.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/TAPFUSE.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/CONNECT.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/box.jpg">
You can plug into an open spot in your fuse box, or tap into an existing fuse (connect to something not essential to your car's safety or performance).. regardless, use the inline fuse wire. This will blow first if you have an issue with your radar.
the ground wire is easy. there is a screw to the right of the fuse box, use a connector again and use this for your ground. it will look similiar to this...
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/tech/ground.jpg">
once you close the fuse box door, nothing will be visible, it will appear very clean.
run the power wire out of the fuse box, up and to the left, sneak it behind the pillar and squeeze it out to the windshield area. You don't have to remove the pillar. I lined a very thin tool with electrical tape and used it to push the power wire down and under the pillar and then around the outer border of the dash. just use a flat head or something thin, but strong. I lined it with tape to make it smooth so it wouldn't tear anything.
oh and yes, it will work without the inline fuse, but it's risky.
credits: AUDIWORLD PICTURE POSTER
12-14-2005, 09:36 PM
#3
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why fuse tap and not 75x?
Obviously you want it switched (duh) and since you're using an inline fuse... you don't need to go through another fuse. cleaner, safer, and you can then just use a regular o-ring terminal.
just my two cents.
good post though, and everyone needs their RD hardwired!
just my two cents.
good post though, and everyone needs their RD hardwired!
12-15-2005, 04:22 AM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I'm sure there are 10 diff ways to HW something.
I'm not against any other method. This is just the way I did it.
For ANYTHING aftermarket, that I install in my car, I use an in-line fuse. Regardless if I'm tapping into an existing fuse or an open fuse location. Why not use an in-line?
If you install something in your car and it has a bad day, it'll blow the fuse. If for some reason it doesn't blow the fuse in the fusebox, and it starts melting the fuse box, your car could eventually catch fire. If the dealer finds that the damages were caused by something aftermarket, they will not be responsible.
The extra in-line is just a safety precaution.
For ANYTHING aftermarket, that I install in my car, I use an in-line fuse. Regardless if I'm tapping into an existing fuse or an open fuse location. Why not use an in-line?
If you install something in your car and it has a bad day, it'll blow the fuse. If for some reason it doesn't blow the fuse in the fusebox, and it starts melting the fuse box, your car could eventually catch fire. If the dealer finds that the damages were caused by something aftermarket, they will not be responsible.
The extra in-line is just a safety precaution.
12-15-2005, 04:48 AM
#5
The left side of the fuse is "live" load (not fused) and the right side is fused. BTW, great post.
Basically tapping just as Ryan has shown is exactly the same (electronically speaking) as hot tapping the wire from behind...
He's just shown an easier way and more accessible way to do it.
Also his tapped line is NOT double fused because it is tapped upstream of that fuse at the box.
He's just shown an easier way and more accessible way to do it.
Also his tapped line is NOT double fused because it is tapped upstream of that fuse at the box.
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