Hardwire Radar
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 689
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From: South suburb of Chicago
Hardwire Radar
Hey all. I am looking for some help on how to wire a radar detector so that it is powered on while the truck is on. ('06 F150)
I was thinking about running the wire from the detector through the junk tray on top of the dash and in behind were the radio sits. Is there some way I would be able to wire the detector to the radio itself, or do I have to find somewhere else to do it?
I am not real electrical savvy, but I would be able to spice wires and whatnot.
Any help is appreciated.
I was thinking about running the wire from the detector through the junk tray on top of the dash and in behind were the radio sits. Is there some way I would be able to wire the detector to the radio itself, or do I have to find somewhere else to do it?
I am not real electrical savvy, but I would be able to spice wires and whatnot.
Any help is appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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If the cigarette lighter plug does not have a transformer in it then all you need to do is cut the plug off, ground the negative wire and hook up the positive wire to the ACC circuit. ACC can be found at the radio. In order to check for all this you need a multimeter. If you are unsure if the cigarette lighter plug has a transformer take a multimeter and plug the leads into the output plug that connects to the radar detector. If it reads around 12 or so volts it does not have a transformer in it. If it reads much lower it does have one. If it does not it can be hardwired by cutting the plug off. If it does you need to solder leads to the plug or open the plug up and solder leads to the input wires on the transformers. It sounds complicated but its not. I do it daily at work.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 689
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From: South suburb of Chicago
Well I opened up the cigarette plug and there were two wires connected to two pieces of metal, nothing else. The two wires were Red and White. When I figure out which is which, would I be able hook up the power to the radio power wire, and hook the ground into the radio ground wire?
I hope that made sense.
I hope that made sense.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by SPL Tech
If there is no little transformer in there then you can run it straight to the ACC circuit. Yes you can hook it up as described.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
Where are you going to mount the radar detector? If I read it right, you wil have it at the lower part of the windshield?
Might I suggest moving it to the top of the windshield. Then you can run your power across the top of the headliner and down the pillar. There is a bolt at the bottom of where the pillar comes down the dash that is easily accessible for the ground. The power can go from there to the bottom of the dash where there is a hot you can tap there. This keeps you from having wires seen and also from the detector being seen by everyone else.
Edit:
Sorry, I just read you are a 150. I first read 250 and was explaining how we wired my father's. No matter though, it would be easy to find a hot wire to tap from there. A test light and a multitester can tell you which wire to hit.
Might I suggest moving it to the top of the windshield. Then you can run your power across the top of the headliner and down the pillar. There is a bolt at the bottom of where the pillar comes down the dash that is easily accessible for the ground. The power can go from there to the bottom of the dash where there is a hot you can tap there. This keeps you from having wires seen and also from the detector being seen by everyone else.
Edit:
Sorry, I just read you are a 150. I first read 250 and was explaining how we wired my father's. No matter though, it would be easy to find a hot wire to tap from there. A test light and a multitester can tell you which wire to hit.
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From: My house
Originally Posted by tvsjr
Because they're terrible at their job and horribly expensive?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
I use the Escort Solo S2.
http://www.escortradar.com/solo.htm
Battery operated, but can be corded if wanted. I like that I can move it from vehicle to vehicle without any problems. I have hardwires in place in the Explorer and the Ranger for it, but the Escape I just run off batteries.
This has been the best detector I have used. It actually has done better than my old Valentine.
http://www.escortradar.com/solo.htm
Battery operated, but can be corded if wanted. I like that I can move it from vehicle to vehicle without any problems. I have hardwires in place in the Explorer and the Ranger for it, but the Escape I just run off batteries.
This has been the best detector I have used. It actually has done better than my old Valentine.
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