Re: How to hardwire a radar detector

[ets@wrkgrp.com (Edward T Spire)]

>From: "Tung T. Nguyen" <tungster@aracnet.com>
>Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 17:38:46 -0700
>Subject: How to hardwire a radar detector
>
>I would like to hardwire my radar detector to avoid the unsightly and
>annoying power cable dangling about. I have a 1992 S4. Is it recommended?
>If so, is there a best way of doing this? I was told I could hardwire it to
>the front light/sun roof switch panel, or alternatively run it down one of
>the vents?

I hardwired a Valentine into the UBERWGN (1995.5 S6) through the sun
roof access panel.  One of the wires going to the center overhead lamp
switch is always hot, you can clamp onto that one, use a VOM to find
it.  I leave the unit on all the time, so that I don't have to reset
it's mode when I start the vehicle.

I first tried just sneaking the wire out the edge of the panel, but it
was hard to get the panel to stay in that way, and the wire was getting
crimped badly.  Plan B involved the tiny visor that can be swung down
to block the sun above the rear view mirror, which is held in with one
screw.  Taking that screw out and removing the visor, either there was
a hole there I fed the wire through, or I made one, I can't remember
which, and then I put the visor back on with minimal crimping of the
wire.

I mounted the Valentine above the rear view mirror, the bottom of the
unit braces against the top of the mirror.  The unit can be seen
clearly with both main sun visors down, the tiny one in the middle is
now useless.  The unit is also so high up that it has an excellent
horizon, and the unit's rear sensor can see out the back window
clearly.  Finally, it is very hard to see from outside the vehicle.


== "When you believe in things you don't understand, then you suffer" ==
=============== Steveland Morris (a.k.a. Stevie Wonder) ================
Ed Spire                                  Voice: 847-781-6940 ext 6943
The Workstation Group                     Fax:   847-781-6973
1900 N. Roselle Road, Suite 408           Email: ets@wrkgrp.com
Schaumburg, Illinois  60195  USA          Web:   http://www.wrkgrp.com