rondocap

So I've always juggled back and forth in terms of radar detectors: I started out with an Escort 8500 X50, then went to a 9500IX, and finally an Escort 9500i. It's basically like the 9500ix but without the camera and autolearn. (You can still save false signals to the GPS memory.

Honestly I was always a bit bored with these - they are nice, but seldom did I really get a good hit. So I'd always stop using one, and try again later. Well, now finally I bought a Valentine one - I figured why not. It does not have the same GPS filtering system of the 9500's, but it does have those arrows and tells you how many signals, etc - so more information seems good.

But anyway - I wanted to post this in order to give some people who may consider doing a hardwire install in their W220 some possible advice. I searched the forum when I was doing it, and there are a few threads on doing it, but more information is always better.

Some things to be aware of that may not be common knowledge:

I had the Escort direct wire/ hardwire before, and thought I would use that connection with the Valentine one. I knew going in that the little control unit with the blinking light and mute would not function on the V1, so I was surprised at what I found. The power, being RJ11, does work properly and it did indeed power it on. But what it did not do was really give adequate compliance with the V1 - and thus I could not use the mute button on the actual V1, nor could I use the knob to change modes. (Like All Bogeys, Logic, etc.)

So having experienced this, I decided to forgo using the previous Escort hardwire and actually fully doing the hardwire with the wires that came with the V1.

In short, here is what I did:

1.) The included V1 8 foot cord should be enough, I started it on the left of the rear view mirror. From research, it seems like a high position is the best for these - and in the area next to the rvm seems to be the most recommended.

2.) Now comes the business of routing the wire to where you want to get power from. I decided to use the cigarette lighter. I did not have to actually dissemble anything in the car aside from the ash tray. I ran the wire down the weather strip along the left side of the driver's A pillar, and down next to the hood lever. From there, I ran the wire above the driver's pedal area, and into the bottom of the ash tray. (There are various opening in the plastics and carpets that allow a wire to be hidden)

3.) When the wire was reached, I could now connect it to the other end of the unit that connects with the power and comes with the V1, the direct wire power adapter as it is called. In the W220, 2001 S55 - I got power from the black/grey thick wire going into the ash tray. I used the quick connector that came with the V1. Getting the ash tray open is fairly easy, there are T15 screws on the left and right side, and it pops right out.

4.) The important thing that tripped me up at first was the ground connection. The brown cable going into the ash tray is the ground, and I had put the ground wire from the V1 unit next to a screw. I was not getting power. Ultimately I had to splice the brown wire (ground) with the ground cable of the V1 unit that had the 12v+ cable. That way, I got power easily.

I know this sounds complicated - but it's a lot easier than it seems. tapping into the power isn't hard as long a you use the proper tools and go into the wire with the quick connector. It's almost plug and play - aside from the ground cable which may need a little exposed wiring before you can connect them.

Next up I am thinking of installing the concealed display, all I have to do now is connect the RJ11 from that into behind the ash tray as well in the V1 provided unit, and just place it somewhere. I'm thinking the ash tray may be good to place it, since it closes and will be stealth.

Here are some pictures as well, if anyone has any questions feel free to post here or PM me and I can help clarify anything that I may know about this particular install on the W220 ashtray.

Arnee

You didn't have to get power from the cig. lighter. You could have used the switched power from the dome light/sunroof controls. They switch on at "ACC" key position.

I've used this method for my past and current cars, ML430, M3, E55, X5 and 911. This way, there's minimal wire (read: work) that you have to do.

rondocap

Yeah, I knew about that dome light as well - but since I had the other hardwire into my cigarette lighter, I decided to do that again as well, plus I'm going to have the concealed display in the ash tray so I'd have to wire it all there anyway.

ShangoAshe

Keep us posted! I'd like to see how it turns out when you're done with the DIY!

rondocap

I will! I ordered the concealed display last night and hopefully will get it this week. I will post the final pictures when it is done, I'm putting it in the ash tray. I'm also seriously considering putting the V1 in the back headrest, as it keeps it completely hidden. I am just worried that I lose the laser detector and that the overall detection goes down a bit..but I'll test it out and see.

rondocap

OK, i've been trying a few things - I made a leather encasement for the radar detector, and mounted it on the rear headrest.

I could not get it to fit in the headrest, but what do you guys think of this? I'm mostly concerned about thieves looking in, would they be able to tell what this is?

Arnee

One thing you could do is buy a grey dome from an e-class (for example) and put the V1 and dome on the rear shelf. I've seen it done before on BMWs. At least you'll have OEM-like quality.

That's a long run of wire from the front to the rear -- or did you use a different power source to put it to the rear?

rondocap

Any idea what that grey dome would be called, or what part would be associated with it so I can find one?

I did not wire it yet back there, I'm seeing if I like it - if so I may just use a source close to the back. I need to mount the concealed display in the front so I may have to source it from the front regardless.

I tried to fit it in the headrest, but there are too many plastics in it and it's small - I'd have to gut it and really mod it to make it fit.

Arnee

Here's an example from the M5 board

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/m5-...ror-com-3.html

You can conceptually use a grey BMW dome like in the link above. I'm sure it will be very close in the MB grey.

rondocap

I really wanted a stealth install. I tried the headrest in the back, but I could not get it to fit inside as on my S55 it is a bit tight in there.

So I finally decided to just mount it on the passenger visor with the V1 visor clip, and put the concealed display in the ash tray. It works out well, I get good signal because it's high in the windshield and not blocked. I have to take it out of the car overnight as I don't want it stolen, but it's OK. I will keep it like this now, but I really wanted a completely hidden look so I don't have to take it out of the car. The CD can stay in the ash tray as it closes.

rondocap

2nd update: After a lot of tinkering today, I was finally able to place the V1 inside the rear middle headrest. I still need to maybe add some more foam as the V1 makes a little square shape in the otherwise smooth headrest, but I don't think anyone will notice.

Das Geld 2

How is the infrared "light" passing through the leather?

rondocap

The radar waves can actually easily go through glass, leather, foam, etc. So Ka, K, and X bands work fine. Laser "light" cannot, so doing it like this you will lose laser detection.

To compensate, you can install a laser interceptor or similar laser system, that way you will be 100% aware. The V1 laser detection is kind of not all that useful anyway, since if you get hit with laser, unless you have a laser system, it's too late.

rondocap

I've been testing it out these last few days, and it works great - picks up the signal pretty much like before, I already got a few Ka band hits and a lot of X's and K's. The stealth of it is great, no one will ever know it's hidden.

ShangoAshe

good job bud, it turned out great!

Arnee

Novel idea but the deformed shape of the headrest bugs me.
I'll keep mine by the rear view mirror.

rondocap

Arnee, the deformed headrest bothers me as well. I've been trying to get it perfectly even, but since the V1 is a bit bigger, I may have to cut out some of the plastic and create some sort of mold for it to fit in.

I may pick up another headrest cheaply on ebay and try my luck molding it properly, and then attach it.

At least for now it is fairly hidden, and I made sure it was level.

Heh, I wish V1 made a unit that you could mount remotely inside the engine bay area like the 9500ci!