Re: How to hardwire a radar detector

[Scott.Applebaum@ustc.vlsi.com (scott applebaum)]

Sugesstions on hardwiring radar detectors:

I have done this in 5 cars.  84 Audi 5000, 85 VW Scirocco, 87 Integra, 93 VW Corrado, 87 Hundai Excel
	(The Hundai didn't really need one).

The best thing to do is to wire it into the sun roof power (if the car has a power sunroof).
The reason is that usally the sun roof is not powered after the key is out and you open
the door (on my 88 Audi).  Here are the instructions: 


	You will need the following:

	Screwdriver, wire cutters, electrical tape, soldering iron or crimp on connectors.
	Inline fuse, some wire,	radar detector cord.

	1) Remove the cover on the sunroof switch cover or pry out the switch with your screwdriver

	2) Find a a lead that has power when the key is in and turned to on and no power when the
		key is out and the door is opened.  You will need to ground you meter or light
		to the chassis to do this.

	3) Cut you radar detector cord and test for which lead is 12v

	4) Buy an inline fuse of the same rating that your radar detector has from Radio Shack
		.ie  #270-1281 
	5) Connect the inline fuse holder to the 12v lead that you found in step 3.

	6) Connect the other end of the inline fuse lead to the wire that you found in step 2.

	7) cut a small V notch in the sunroof control cover where you want the wire to come out from.

	8) Find a ground wire (usally brown in VW and Audi). 

	9) Hook up the ground to the other wire from step 3.

	10) *** Test out the coax plug and make double sure you wired it up the right way.
		If it isn't you will fry your radar detector.
		Usally +12v on the inside center tap and ground is on the outside.

	11) Tape up any exposed wires and close the sunroof cover.

	12) Run the wire to where your radar detector is and your all done.



	I usally mount my radar detector on my sun visor or close to the rear view mirror.

	Other suggestions:

	1) Buy another power cord for your radar detector so you don't destroy the original.
	
 	2) Buy connectors: two female and one male. Put a female on the wire coming out of the
	inline fuse and other female on the old cord with the cigarette lighter plug.  The male
	goes on the other side of the old cord (the one with coax plug).  This will allow you
	to use the radar detector with your old cord if you want.  ie. in another car or you friends car.

	3) Don't speed, the tickets and insurance add up to lots of $$$ in New Jersey. Fight them if you get caught.

Scott Applebaum

93 VW Corrado SLC
85 VW Scirocco
88 Audi 80 Quattro (recent purchase without a radar detector connection)