wongkwp

Hi, I am planning to get the Passport Escort 8500 together with the SmartCord direct-wire and hardwire the device. I've read that this can be done using the fuse location #7 at the trunk. My question is how I can attach the wire into the fuse block? Is there a fuse-like connector that I could purchase? Please help. Thanks.

Rick

I ran a wire from the rear fuse block along the door sill and to the drivers kick panel, then connected a cig lighter socket to that and ground in the drivers side footwell. The radar detector cable was long enough to run from the top of the windshield, along the A pillar molding, down the side of the dash and plug into my assembly.

wongkwp

Hi Rick, Thanks for your feedback. I know that I need to run a wire from the radar detector at the front all the way back into the trunk to the rear fuse block. The thing I am not sure is how I could terminate the wire on the fuse #7 in the fuse block. Please advise. Thanks.

vimzin

hey wongkwp let me know if you want to buy an escort 8500 Im thinking about letting mine go for a pretty good deal soon. The escort is an awsome choice, but i think im going to get something built into the bumpers maybe with my new car since radar dectors are illegal in virginia..

Rick

I used a fuse tap.....PM me your address, I'll send you one

wongkwp

Rick - I finally got what you meant. So what I need is a fuse tap and also a mini-blade fuse to attach to the rear fuse block and run the wire from the front to the back and terminate at the fuse tap. Any idea what is the amp for the fuse that I should get to work with a radar detector?

Rick

Not exactly.

What I sent you (today) is a 7.5 amp fuse with a wire attached to it. This slips right into the socket, although you may have to trim the fuse block cover to accommodate the wire. Run a single wire from that along the side of the rear seat, down to the door sill and up under the drivers side kick panel. Then attach a cig lighter socket to it. Attach the other wire on the cig socket to ground at the kick panel, under the dash or firewall.
The Escort (and BEL) power adapters have a 3 amp in line fuse in it, so this should be ample protection against any problems.

MB-BOB

Any autoparts store will carry blade-type wire connectors (maybe called spade lugs). They usually come in a package of a dozen or more and in various sizes, both male and female connectors, of various designs. Some are U-shaped to go around under screw heads, others are solid. Just crimp one of the male connectors to the wire and plug it into #7 slot... you're good to go.

Heres an example of what the screw lug looks like... (These are way too expensive and probably oversize, for speaker use. You want those commonly used for auto wire splicing...)

http://www.holomaxx.com/trade/produc...roducts_id/515

My negative wire is grounded at the driver's side kick panel block as the others have said. Then the positive wire is the only one you thread to the trunk. Use the in-line fuse protection provided with the detector. No real nead for cig lighter plugs or anything else.