DIY - Hardwire Radar Detector (getting power from OHC/mirror)
 

I'm new here and couldn't find any DIY instructions for hardwiring a radar detector without running the wires down the pillars to the fuse box.
I wanted as short of a wire as possible to minimize rattles and ease of removing for any warranty reasons.

This provides switched power (key on, radar on. Key off, radar off).

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...518604777.jpeg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f1c7827eb.jpeg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...6ca6894ea.jpeg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...53c6b1529.jpeg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...60e83f2f5.jpeg

If anyone has any questions let me know.

Nice job! I wouldn't mind a short written description to go with this, specifically the wires you spliced in to. Thanks!

only thing is, i know from mounting the valentine on the car that the position you have it at sort of blocks the view to the rear somewhat (for the rear facing antenna). i don't know if it actually makes a huge difference but i just remember having it that high up doesn't give it a clear view looking out to the rear.

at least it's a valentine and not less good other one (every other detector that isn't the valentine).

saw this one here a few yrs back

A step-by-step tutorial would be awesome. Would something like this be cleaner for the wiring?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...7365773fae.jpg

thanks for bumping this for those of us not getting capacitor based dash cams as well.

also, in reference to the valentine plug: My used car had a valentine plug, should I keep it there for the future owner, or convert it to say, a micro USB? I have no need for a valentine.

Wow! Many great ideas!

Yes! Now where did you find/buy/five finger discount it/rob/borrow/trade/sucker someone out of it?

Haven't tried it myself but found the product here: http://www.mirrortap.com/

From the up-close photo of the plug where the wires are pushed in, it looks like the plug has 4 openings. It looks like one wire goes into the slot on the frontal passenger side of that plug. The other wire goes into the slot on the rear driver side of that plug. Is that right?

That's a neat product. Love the woven sleeve which will more likely stand up better to the the UV ray. What are all those different width: 0.040", 0.050", 0.080"? What diameter is ideal? Are those just the diameter for the probes? It's the same price regardless of length so the longest one sure is tempting but will probably be a headache if unable to bunch the slacking-cord up into the housing. It's interesting they have forgotten MB on the list.

yah, that's what I wanna know too. also which one is negative and which one is positive. cuz you know, my polarity tester is broke. :nix:

TIA!