Hardwire radar detector - no moonroof

[Keely]

Hello all:One of my Christmas presents was a radar detector (Bel Express 936 if that has any bearing). I've reviewed the posts here where very handy Vibe owners have hardwired their radar detectors to their moonroof control consoles. Has anyone done this on a standard roof, i.e. to the rearview mirror area? Note of caution: I'm a complete electrical idiot, so I'm not necessarily expecting to be able to do this myself, but if I do go to a installation shop, I want to know what to ask for and what to expect.Thanks!

[ragingfish]

I would recommend the following.Cut the RD power supply cord near the cigarette lighter adapter end. If your RD has the curly wire, cut it closer to the RD, rather than the adapter end. But if it's straight, get all the length you can from it.Go to your local radio shack, grab some 2-conductor wire, or they sell rainbow wire which is 4 conductor. Either will work. Solder or otherwise connect the wire extensions to the original cord. I'd recommend soldering, then wrapping the connections with electrical tape. This will keep them small enough to hide.Pull off the A-pillar trim panel by grabbing and tugging.Feed the new wire down into the lower dash area.Get on your back, find the wire, and strip about 1/2 inch (or 1-2cm) of insulation from the new wires.I recommend using the LittelFuse Add-A-Circuit: What you do is pull the fuse for the radio circuit. Take that fuse, install it in one slot of the AAC. THen take an extra 10 amp fuse, plug that into the spare slot. Plus the AAC device into the now empty radio circuit slot.Touch one bare wire the metal inside the AAC crimp tube, te other end to a ground point. If the RD turns on, you're good. If not, reverse, and it should turn on.Once you're sure which is ground and which is positive, crim the positive lead into the Add-A-Circuit crimp tube. Then, get a spare ring-tongue terminal, and crimp that over the ground lead.Ground the lead on any bolt that appears to touch the bare body of the car. There's one right behind the kickplate you cna use. I used it to ground my auto-dimming mirror. There's a plastic nut in a groove near the dead-pedal. Unscrew that, pull out the trim, you'll see the screw.Once that's done, turn the car on. The RD should turn on as well.Turn the car off. The RD should shut off.Then tuck the wire into the edge of the headliner.Hide the wire behind the A-pillar trim. It just snaps back into place.You should be all set!If you want Keely, next time I'm in Cowtown I can help you with this! I know these seem kinda vague. More details on running wires down the pillars and wiring them into the system can be found in my HowTo on installing an Auto-Dim mirror.Just cater them for your needs that's all: http://www.ragingfish.com/genv...s.pdf

[Jahntassa]

Hey Mike, i'd add that you should try to find a fuse/circuit that only turns on with the "ON" position of the key, like the rear defroster. Reason I say this is so you don't get blasted by the radar every time you go to turn on the radio.It works either way though, I just happen to only turn on the ACC sometimes instead of the whole car, and the RD is REALLY loud when the car isn't running.

[Keely]

Kinda vague? My only question is what operating system should I be running on this contraption? Thanks for the help - this is the kind of service you get when you buy dinner, I suppose! It'll be a little bit before I can look at this project, but I'll bookmark the thread and pick it up when the snow melts (again).

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Hey Mike, i'd add that you should try to find a fuse/circuit that only turns on with the "ON" position of the key, like the rear defroster. Reason I say this is so you don't get blasted by the radar every time you go to turn on the radio.It works either way though, I just happen to only turn on the ACC sometimes instead of the whole car, and the RD is REALLY loud when the car isn't running. Good point.Might consider using the WIPER or RR WIPER circuits instead. In those cases, be sure to use two fuses of identical capacity in the AAC.