Hard wiring radar detector

[ikessky]

I want to hard wire my radar detector, but run it off of a toggle switch. Is this really as easy as just cutting off the cig. plug, stripping the wires, and wiring it up?

[Anonymous]

I took my cig. ligher out cause it was always shorting out.. yes there are only 2 wires, 12v so it should be that simple.

[bszopi]

The hardest part will be figuring out which is hot and which is ground. It you wire it backwards, then there is a good chance you'll fry the unit.

[ikessky]

The hot wire should be the one with the red stripe on it shouldn't it? That would be my guess.

[zyvx]

ya man it's real easy. I have almost no automotive/electrical experience and i used one of my interior lights to power my gauges. I still have to mount the contol though.

[imported_RebelGT]

i wired mine into a key on power source so it automaticaly comes on when i start the car, though i don't use it anymore since cops around here use guns no detector will help find.

[bszopi]

That's what you'd think (wire with the red stripe), but I have come across a few things in my time where the red striped wire was actually the ground. Not sure if it was just a goof from the factory, or was done on purpose though...

[Anonymous]

You might fry a fuse doing this, but better then the radar detector...

Just run a wire to ground somewhere on the car and touch the non-red striped wire. If it doesn't blow then you got your ground wire. If you want to make absolutely sure, put the red striped wire on your remote ground wire and if it blows the fuse then you got your positive

[ikessky]

cops around here use guns no detector will help find.

Laser???

[montessgtp]

NJ sucks for radar detctors

Cops around here use what its called stand by....actually the unit is off till they see u approcing then they do wat its a called a flash..where the unit will gun your cars speed by a push of a button...then shut off..so ur radar/laser has no time to warn you. My radar sits im on the shelf at home as a dust collector...

Also make sure your Radar is 12volt unit , mine only uses 6.5 and have a fuse in the end of the peice you plug into the cigerrete lighter so it dont fry.

good luck

[ikessky]

Trust me, we are not that sophisticated up here! I don't think I will go through the trouble of hardwiring it after all. My luck I would get it done and then end up selling the car the next week!

[JasonZ34]

I hardwired mine into the back of my fuse block. Tapped into my windshield washer pump power cord. (No it doesn't come on only while i'm washing my windshield) On with accesories and on. And it is worth hard wiring in imho.

[Rhedalert]

Re: NJ sucks for radar detctors

Cops around here use what its called stand by....actually the unit is off till they see u approcing then they do wat its a called a flash..where the unit will gun your cars speed by a push of a button...then shut off..so ur radar/laser has no time to warn you. My radar sits im on the shelf at home as a dust collector...

Also make sure your Radar is 12volt unit , mine only uses 6.5 and have a fuse in the end of the peice you plug into the cigerrete lighter so it dont fry.

good luck

I think the detector will only help if he turns it on for someone ahead of you, that would be your warning. I remember some of the sneaky state police on I-78 that were pulling that

[JasonZ34]

Re: NJ sucks for radar detctors

Cops around here use what its called stand by....actually the unit is off till they see u approcing then they do wat its a called a flash..where the unit will gun your cars speed by a push of a button...then shut off..so ur radar/laser has no time to warn you. My radar sits im on the shelf at home as a dust collector...

Also make sure your Radar is 12volt unit , mine only uses 6.5 and have a fuse in the end of the peice you plug into the cigerrete lighter so it dont fry.

good luck

I think the detector will only help if he turns it on for someone ahead of you, that would be your warning. I remember some of the sneaky state police on I-78 that were pulling that

Yep, your only chance of detecting a ready radar is when a cop uses it on the cars in front of you. this is another reason why range is so important. It lets you know what far up ahead and gives you a chance to react especially when a cop is using this.

[Cliff8928]

That's what NightVision is for... I know someone who has it on a DTS, and i guess cop cars stick out like a sore thumb from FAR away (because they're so hot!)


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740