Hardwiring a radar detector - Anyone?

[ajent420]

I'm really sick of the power cord drapping down the dashj...has anyone ever hardwired a power source for a radar detector and how did you go about it?

I found this from another source, but I'm curious if/where anyone has tapped into for a power source.

Cheap way to hardwire your Escort 8500 X50 - Car Audio, Video & Security - NASIOC

2 random extras
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1 key turn (no hold) for ignition is sweet! Thanks for whomever brought that thread to life.

Daniel Stern lights rock!

[Matt L]

Getting the wire from under the dash to above it is the hard part. On my car, there is an air passage between the cabin and the underhood fusebox, and it's fairly easy to fish a wire through.

[Peter Guenther]

The visor mirror has power with the ignition on

[acarter53]

I have the K40 Radar detector installed in my car. The receive is mounted under the front bumper and the LED's are built into my instrument cluster. This is the best way to go.

[dpallone]

I went to my local car stereo installer shop and he hard wired my escort with the cord coming through the dash at the center of the base of the windshield for $40, he also installed an XM commander radio in the ashtray

[Matt L]

But would you let them do that to your wagon?

I like acarter's idea. In fact, there are several dead sockets in my cluster, which are the perfect size for a small grommet and an LED. I put a lamp to monitor my auxiliary fan there, but you could use them for anything. If you do, get the brightest LED you can buy, because you'll need it in the daytime.

[A1EK]

Hi, When I had my W210 I found a really easy way of hard wiring my radar detector. I have it placed in the middle of the dash at the bottom of the window, as you will find that there is a small gap a few inches ling between the air vents. My radar was 12V which meant that you could get a power soource from anywhere.
First I took the tray off under the sterring wheel, there are a few phillips screws to undo and clips thats all. Once removed either with a volt meter or known 12V source connect a the flexible cigerete cable to it by removing the plug, with the negative going to any chasis point. Then get a coat hanger tape the end of the wire to it and push it under the dash to the central area of the dash where you want to mount the radar.
Second option if you cant find a 12V source thenuse the existing cigerete socket but get the wire under the ashtray to the rear of the dash and feed the wire through to the radar that way.

Good Luck

[johnny's E320]

A radar detector should be mounted as high on the windshield as possible, preferably flush with the roof of the car. Any other mounting is a waste of time, money and dash space. There is only one exception: many late-model cars windshields have auto-dimming/heating elements which may block radar signals, a catastrophic drawback for detector mounting. (Luckily, manufacturers like Mercedes often designate a specific location just for detector mounting, and it s no coincidence that it s high up, right next to the rearview mirror.)

[acarter53]

Here is a pic of my K40 that has the LED's mounted in the cluster. The green light at the bottom right is the Highway mode and is switched to yellow for City mode. The Red light is the warning. I also have the audible alarm mounted on the driver side air vent.

[acarter53]

Originally Posted by johnny's E320

A radar detector should be mounted as high on the windshield as possible, preferably flush with the roof of the car. Any other mounting is a waste of time, money and dash space. There is only one exception: many late-model cars windshields have auto-dimming/heating elements which may block radar signals, a catastrophic drawback for detector mounting. (Luckily, manufacturers like Mercedes often designate a specific location just for detector mounting, and it s no coincidence that it s high up, right next to the rearview mirror.)

Johnny,

Whats up with the feet thing???