bb vign

Nothing new here but for anyone looking to hardwire a radar detector in their car, it is very easy. All in, took me about 20 minutes (including searching for a switchable fuse):

1. Using a bone tool (or similar implement), run the hardwire cord from your chosen location down the front pillar, around the corner where the windshield meets the dash and back along the dash until you reach the driver's side fuse box. The bone tool does a great job of pushing the cord into the thin gap without cutting the outer sheath:

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install1Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install1Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

2. Find a suitable location for the ground wire:

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install2Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install2Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

3. Plug-in the cord to the connector:

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install3Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install3Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

4. Using a TAPA Circuit (ATO, not mini), connect the lead to the end of your hard-wire connector:

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install4Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install4Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

5. Insert a 7.5 amp fuse into the applicable slot of the TAPA circuit and tuck all the wiring in above the fuse block:

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install6Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install6Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

6. I used the unused slot #10 which in my car is labeled "Gearshift Gate":

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install7Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install7Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

7. Replace the cover and you're done!

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install8Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install8Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/?action=view¤t=install9Medium.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/lakid042/install9Medium.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Regards,

Derek<ul><li><a href="http://www.gizmos-gadgets.com/product_info.php/cPath/7_77/products_id/96?osCsid=6cacb86bd391736f1d1ac5912e118b88">TAPA Circuit Dual ATO Fuseholder</a></li></ul>

S5LA

comment: your ride is f'ing hot in red.
question: I can't figure out your final resting location, but I take it its not to just the right of the mirror - where did you put it and is that area a switched hot? I am doing mine tomorrow, of course after I already got a radar ticket the other weekend, ***** - anyhow I usuall just strip the phone cord and put on side on a switched fuse and the other to ground, no special connectors or anything.

bb vign

of the car - you can just make out the suction cups in the last photograph.

I've used the TAPA connectors for every detector install I've done in the last few years - they are cheap, safe and allow you to tap into an existing fuse space if it is already in use.

The "Gearshift Gate" space (#10 on the driver's side fuse block) is indeed switched.

Regards,

Derek

Roswell

I have the hidden interface on my dash, to the top left of the Nav screen so i can see the arrows.

yellojello

I placed my V1 underneath the rear view mirror, installed same way. I wanted to place it on top of the rear view mirror but it didn't fit...

... but also, your placement, does it see through the rear windshield? because it sits lower than the front windshield, and wondering if that would decrease the radar performance.

JerryS4

Very helpfull, thanks. Which side of the A pillar is the best for wiring?

OC2TX

Well I followed bb vign's photos on hardwiring my Valentine 1 to S5 to a tee except for one thing. I put in the same 5 AMP fuse in slot #10 instead of the 7.5 AMP. Now I can't get power to the unit even if I use the 12V cigarette lighter and I checked it with another device to make sure it works. Did I blow a fuse in the Valentine 1 unit itself. I just got both the car and radar so I guess I have to return for repair to the V1 guys. Any thoughts.

OC2TX

I am not very good at electronics, but followed bb vign's V1 install on my S5 to a tee. However, instead of using a 7.5 amp fuse, I used the 5 AMP that was already in slot 10 (gearshift gate). I never got any power to the V1 and now it's completely dead. No power even with a cigarette lighter. Did I kill the thing? Any help would be great.

DowA4

Hey do you guys know how hardwiring a v1 would affect warranty?

tubi

Shouldn't be a problem because it's easily reversible. You are not modding the car.