Hard wiring radar detector questions

blbrchnk · Apr 22, 2009

I recently purchased a valentine V1 and was going to hard wire it into the car so I don't have to use the cigarette adapter. My few questions:

1. How do I remove the overhead light fixture? I easily pulled back the paneling on the passenger side by removing the visor screws. I don't need it all very far back, but far enough so that I can access the wires. The light almost seems like it snaps out but I didn't want to break it.

2. Coming out of my auto dimming rear view mirror w/ compass, I have three wires, purple, black, and white. I need to know which one is the switched power on, because I have an inline wire tapper that I will need to wrap around it. I know when messing with the stereo the white was the switched power, but I just wanted to make sure before I went tapping into the wrong one.

I tried looking for manuals documenting what was what, but failed at locating what I needed.

Thanks in advance!

Fourth Horseman · Apr 23, 2009

I realize this isn't really what you were asking for, but I thought I'd mention this as another way to go. I ran the power cable up underneath the head liner where it meets the windshield and then down the passenger side A-pillar to the fuse box. The power cable supplied with the V1 is long enough to make the run.

blbrchnk · Apr 23, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I realize this isn't really what you were asking for, but I thought I'd mention this as another way to go. I ran the power cable up underneath the head liner where it meets the windshield and then down the passenger side A-pillar to the fuse box. The power cable supplied with the V1 is long enough to make the run.

That would actually work just fine/ maybe even better as it would be easier to get a ground. I was always afraid of removing the a pillar plastic though due to having the side curtain airbags. I wasn't sure if there was anything in the A-pillar or not.

blbrchnk · Apr 23, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I realize this isn't really what you were asking for, but I thought I'd mention this as another way to go. I ran the power cable up underneath the head liner where it meets the windshield and then down the passenger side A-pillar to the fuse box. The power cable supplied with the V1 is long enough to make the run.

I ran the cable down to the fuse panel down there, but what wire did you tap into for switched power?

Fourth Horseman · Apr 24, 2009

blbrchnk said:
I ran the cable down to the fuse panel down there, but what wire did you tap into for switched power?

I don't recall, I would have to go look, which I can do for you this evening when I get home from work if you'd like. What I did was just took a volt meter and found a fuse position that was off with the key off and tapped it. If you've got a volt meter you can find one pretty quick that way.

VibrantRedGT · Apr 24, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I realize this isn't really what you were asking for, but I thought I'd mention this as another way to go. I ran the power cable up underneath the head liner where it meets the windshield and then down the passenger side A-pillar to the fuse box. The power cable supplied with the V1 is long enough to make the run.

This is also the route I chose.

blbrchnk · Apr 24, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I don't recall, I would have to go look, which I can do for you this evening when I get home from work if you'd like. What I did was just took a volt meter and found a fuse position that was off with the key off and tapped it. If you've got a volt meter you can find one pretty quick that way.

Did you connect it to the back of the fuse panel? or just to a wire that fits the bill? Sorry for the noob questions, I'm just not sure of how to handle this situation.

Fourth Horseman · Apr 24, 2009

blbrchnk said:
Did you connect it to the back of the fuse panel? or just to a wire that fits the bill? Sorry for the noob questions, I'm just not sure of how to handle this situation.

I just went to the front. I attached the ground, which is easy, and then with the other wire I just slipped it in with the fuse that was already there. They make these little taps you can solder onto the wire then just lip in with the fuse. Like these: Fuse Taps (4-Pack) - RadioShack.com

blbrchnk · Apr 26, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I just went to the front. I attached the ground, which is easy, and then with the other wire I just slipped it in with the fuse that was already there. They make these little taps you can solder onto the wire then just lip in with the fuse. Like these: Fuse Taps (4-Pack) - RadioShack.com

I bought those but the fuses on the passenger side of my car are all way to small for those to fit in with. I tried checking the voltage on the white plastic wiring harness right by the fuse box, but nothing there seemed to be switched power.

How did you get those fuse taps into the holes?

DiMora · Apr 28, 2009

I pulled the center / radio console trim and tapped into the wiring where the existing cigarette lighter is.

While I was there i went ahead and added a Honda S-2000 Start button for some bling gadgetry.

Fourth Horseman · Apr 28, 2009

blbrchnk said:
I bought those but the fuses on the passenger side of my car are all way to small for those to fit in with. I tried checking the voltage on the white plastic wiring harness right by the fuse box, but nothing there seemed to be switched power.

How did you get those fuse taps into the holes?

I tapped fuse location 12, bottom center. If you can't make the taps you have work you can try using bare wire. Just make sure you get a good connection.

blbrchnk · Apr 28, 2009

Fourth Horseman said:
I tapped fuse location 12, bottom center. If you can't make the taps you have work you can try using bare wire. Just make sure you get a good connection.

Thanks!

I just got it in there. I used fuse 12 like you said, I wrapped the wire down in front of the prong. Should stay in there. Thanks for all the help!

mikeelia · Apr 28, 2009

The ceiling light console just pulls down. I've got my Sirius up there, wired in to an existing power circuit wire, grounded to the roof steel with a self tapping screw and eyelet. It shuts off automatically with the lights after 10 minutes or so, turns on automatically when I start up. It's been working perfectly since 2005...

Covered on other forum sites pretty extensively.

Mike E

Fourth Horseman · Apr 28, 2009

blbrchnk said:
Thanks!

I just got it in there. I used fuse 12 like you said, I wrapped the wire down in front of the prong. Should stay in there. Thanks for all the help!

Yup, maybe not the most elegant solution but I've done that many times and never had any trouble.

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