Hardwire a radar detector, how to?

wballen.79 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:14 PM

Just looking at hard wiring a radar detector using something in the upper console if it's possible. I searched some of the links and either browsed over it or didn't see anything there to help with this. I have an 07' CM and I just want to run a short power plug from the overhead center console to a detector to mount somewhere instead of having a power cord hanging down.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

dragaeran · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wballen.79

Just looking at hard wiring a radar detector using something in the upper console if it's possible. I searched some of the links and either browsed over it or didn't see anything there to help with this. I have an 07' CM and I just want to run a short power plug from the overhead center console to a detector to mount somewhere instead of having a power cord hanging down.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Try snaking a wire down to the power plug you put the regular detector power corrd into and splicing in a connection to the power. Ground the other wire and viola, you have a "on only when the truck is on" plug. Better option than runnign it off the stereo wires, but you could also check the forum for the wiring in the overhead console. I think 2 of those wire sets have 12v, for the bluetooth and the backup cam wiring....

wballen.79 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 12:55 AM

The power cord isn't long enough to do that though (it's long, but not that long).

FIVEPOINTSEVEN · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:02 AM

You should be able to wire it in right up in the overhead console. I have seen it done on some of my dad's cars and I have also had mine hardwired in that way in previous cars. But yea you should be able to place the detector up towards the top of the window and just splice the stock detector wire in with a power wire up in the overhead console where the lights are. Seen it done that way in numerous vehicles. Which detector do you have btw?

wballen.79 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:28 AM

Currently just a cheap cobra unit from wally-world. Leaving for Iraq again next month so I didn't wanna buy an expensive one until I return.

FIVEPOINTSEVEN · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wballen.79

Currently just a cheap cobra unit from wally-world. Leaving for Iraq again next month so I didn't wanna buy an expensive one until I return.

Ah...I have a few friends in Iraq currently. Hats off to you man. I have been through a few Cobra detectors and they are really good for the price. Never got a ticket with one of them. My friend who worked at Circuit City for a long time got me a really really good deal on a new BEL 995...like $120 off so I had to get it. If you're ever in the market for a really top notch detector then BEL is the way to go or even the Valentine One. My dad swears by the V1.

wballen.79 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:57 AM

Yeah I was looking at the V1 as well as a couple others. My main thing is I hate the cord hanging around and I don't trust wireless/battery operated radar detectors.

FIVEPOINTSEVEN · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wballen.79

Yeah I was looking at the V1 as well as a couple others. My main thing is I hate the cord hanging around and I don't trust wireless/battery operated radar detectors.

Yup...The BEL 995 and V1 always are right up at the top of the radar tests different mags and online sites do.

FIVEPOINTSEVEN · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wballen.79

Yeah I was looking at the V1 as well as a couple others. My main thing is I hate the cord hanging around and I don't trust wireless/battery operated radar detectors.

Yup...The BEL 995 and V1 always are right up at the top of the radar tests different mags and online sites do.

Jer · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:07 AM

What type of cord is it? Some of them use a standard phone line that you can cut and splice another section in to extend it. Here's how I just mounted my Passport Escort in the Camry Hybrid to give you an idea how you can mount them: Thread in TCH section.

wballen.79 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 03:34 AM

I actually looked at that for a reference but wasn't sure about what wiring is already in my overhead that I could pull from. I don't want to mess anything in the overhead up because in the future I plan on adding the prewired auto-dimming mirror and then eventually installing a moonroof.

msaltx07 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 07:22 AM

questions for hardwiring my radar detectorer

There was a thread awhile back with pics couldn't find it again but I did woks great. There is a small hole in the center of the headliner for you to ran your wire to overhead console I used the light blue +12v ign. on and white black gnd hope this helps

StatCoder · #13 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 07:59 AM

My Passport is wired via using a phone jack cord. I looked up the wiring scheme for the jack on Google and simply found a 12v lead in one of the larger wiring harnesses - the one to the moonroof and jammed a small wire into the back of the harness and taped it down. No cutting or splicing.

Someguy123 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 08:01 AM

there should be power to the rearview mirror. but to be quite honest, i havent looked. but you would need it to have an auto dimmingmirror. so 2 of the wires back there will be power and ground. so cut your cord, and solder on some cheap spoon connectors. and plug them in behind the mirror.

thats gotta be the easiest way to do it. ill have to go physically look at the mirror to make sure there is a plug. it may be wired internally.

Henry T · #15 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wballen.79

Just looking at hard wiring a radar detector using something in the upper console if it's possible. I searched some of the links and either browsed over it or didn't see anything there to help with this. I have an 07' CM and I just want to run a short power plug from the overhead center console to a detector to mount somewhere instead of having a power cord hanging down.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Most of the better RD's offer a hard wire kit. I hard wired mine by running the wire up to the windsheild from the dash used the cig lighter power. There is also a remote signal that mounts lower on the dash for running in stealth mode.