Hardwiring radar detector
- Thread starter eatonmom
- Start date
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Bedrck47
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Welcome to the forum
Its always good to have a meter. Comes in handy when its needed. And it appears that you need one
Its always good to have a meter. Comes in handy when its needed. And it appears that you need one
bloodhound
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Check your manual, it tells you which circuits are unused.
FisherPete
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You didn't indicate what type of detector, but if you have a "SmartCord", I suspect you're talking about an Escort. Escort has a great forum where this topic is extensively discussed. LINK HERE
The SmartCord is normally used for windshield mounts. The "CI" models of detector are designed for covert installation, with both the detector and the display mounted in hidden locations, but without the SmartCord option.
The SmartCord is normally used for windshield mounts. The "CI" models of detector are designed for covert installation, with both the detector and the display mounted in hidden locations, but without the SmartCord option.
montecarlo31
Full Access Members
Just a heads up you may want to make sure you do not have the soundscreen glass, I noticed a sizable drop in detection distance with the glass on my '13 and another brand detector. I believe the lamination impacts the pass thru ability.
jeff kushner
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You will lose the smart-cord capability if you hard wire it leaving you to have to reach up to press off the sound each time you get a hit. I mounted my 8500X very low on the windshield(between the windshield wipers) using this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171967997517?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and just tuck my smartcord into the little storage box on the dash right above the covered power outlet. It's very convenient there and allows me to remove to move it over to the bike when I ride.
You should do what you want of course, just letting you know that the smartcord is a nice feature to have.
jeff
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Flexpedition
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FYI, a few years ago Escort & Beltronics introduced hard wired smart cords that were not the typical coiled ones that plug into cigarette lighters. Here is my Smart Cord I installed in my Nissan truck, sometime around 2008/2009:
Not mine, but here is the latest model from Escort, Smart Cord Live, installed in a BMW from another forum I follow:
To answer OP's question, if you want to tap a fuse, try #31 in the front passenger kick panel is 10 amp, which is more than adequate for the self dimming mirror and compass module it protects. You can tap a fuse there, but I'd strongly recommend just tapping the (ignition on switched) moonroof switch (if you have one) or even the manual map read light circuit. Connect your power and ground up there, and then run your control wire to the unit down the a-pillar to wherever you want to mount it. Short pigtail from that overhead console to below the rearview mirror where I'd assume you'd want to mount your detector. In other words, I see no reason to run new power and ground wires from the fuse box.
I have the Soundscreen glass and all my glass is tinted on the Expedition. In the few instances I've used my detector I've noticed no performance issues with it.
Not mine, but here is the latest model from Escort, Smart Cord Live, installed in a BMW from another forum I follow:
To answer OP's question, if you want to tap a fuse, try #31 in the front passenger kick panel is 10 amp, which is more than adequate for the self dimming mirror and compass module it protects. You can tap a fuse there, but I'd strongly recommend just tapping the (ignition on switched) moonroof switch (if you have one) or even the manual map read light circuit. Connect your power and ground up there, and then run your control wire to the unit down the a-pillar to wherever you want to mount it. Short pigtail from that overhead console to below the rearview mirror where I'd assume you'd want to mount your detector. In other words, I see no reason to run new power and ground wires from the fuse box.
I have the Soundscreen glass and all my glass is tinted on the Expedition. In the few instances I've used my detector I've noticed no performance issues with it.
FisherPete
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My 2012 Expedition has SoundScreen glass. I haven't noticed any problems with detection through the windshield. I use my Escort 9500ix continuously and have a 50 mile daily commute. The biggest problem is alerts from other vehicles with lane control technology.
bloodhound
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That's funny, cause it's also an issue with the radar in my cruiser. If I'm behind an Audi it starts reading like 158mph.
jeff kushner
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Gee, I learn something every day! I never saw those new remote adapters before.
I HAVE noticed that my detector doesn't seem to work nearly as well as it does in my car but thought that it was just my imagination. A couple year ago when I bought it, I disassembled it so I could seal all the openings for use behind the windscreen on my vstrom1000. Its always worked like a charm on the bike and has definitely saved me from more than one ticket had the officer chosen to pursue. I only say that because quite often, the police will use discretion if you are running a bike at 90mph on the superslabs but are riding like you own a brain.
When I installed it into my new truck, I did notice a drop in "perceived performance"(b/c I have no way to measure it). I'm now thinking of a new unit mounted in the grill.
Let us know where you ended up wiring it, I may want to follow your lead!
jeff
I HAVE noticed that my detector doesn't seem to work nearly as well as it does in my car but thought that it was just my imagination. A couple year ago when I bought it, I disassembled it so I could seal all the openings for use behind the windscreen on my vstrom1000. Its always worked like a charm on the bike and has definitely saved me from more than one ticket had the officer chosen to pursue. I only say that because quite often, the police will use discretion if you are running a bike at 90mph on the superslabs but are riding like you own a brain.
When I installed it into my new truck, I did notice a drop in "perceived performance"(b/c I have no way to measure it). I'm now thinking of a new unit mounted in the grill.
Let us know where you ended up wiring it, I may want to follow your lead!
jeff
ElliottM
Active Member
Hi, I am jumping on an old thread, I know. I have owned my 2016 Expy for all of two days now, and I'm looking to bring it up to ***** with the gadgets I had in its predecessor. Specifically, I am looking to wire a radar detector and a dashcam, and I am hoping to tap into wires in the overhead console. I have searched the threads here on this site and across the web with no luck finding a wiring diagram for the console. Any suggestions?
ElliottM
Active Member
Adding this in case it helps someone else. I just bought an OEM wiring diagram manual off eBay for $20. Seems a reasonable investment to me.
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jeff kushner
Full Access Members
I bought a hard back version...damn book is 1-1/2" thick of nothing but wiring diagrams for the 2016 Expy! There are one hell of a lot of diagrams in it! I figured that it was VERY close to the 17's so I bought it.
jeff
jeff
GAINMOB
Full Access Members
I need to hard wire mine just need to get to it...
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