can I hardwire without an add-a-fuse

**speederX50** · 04-11-2008, 03:35 PM

just bought the hardwire kit but fogot to buy the add a fuse thing. Do I need to buy that or can it be done without it?

I plan on having my local car shop do it anyways so do I need to give them any special instruction with/without the fuse or will they know what to do?

**zarry** · 04-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Your local car shop can do it without the add-a-fuse, it just makes it easier for the average person. Just give them everything you got with the hardwire kit. Most places have done a few so it should not be a problem.

**erickonphoenix** · 04-11-2008, 04:21 PM

I usually tap straight into the fuse. This means I pull the fuse, insert the power wire and reinsert the fuse. I've been doing this for years and it hasn't caused any problems yet. In fact I haven't ever burned out an inline fuse on the power wire either.

**speederX50** · 04-11-2008, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I usually tap straight into the fuse. This means I pull the fuse, insert the power wire and reinsert the fuse. I've been doing this for years and it hasn't caused any problems yet. In fact I haven't ever burned out an inline fuse on the power wire either.

is there a specific thing you tap because I'd be afraid if I tap something that draws a lot of power it would blow the fuse and possibly damage my RD.

**CJR238** · 04-11-2008, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by speederX50

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I usually tap straight into the fuse. This means I pull the fuse, insert the power wire and reinsert the fuse. I've been doing this for years and it hasn't caused any problems yet. In fact I haven't ever burned out an inline fuse on the power wire either.

is there a specific thing you tap because I'd be afraid if I tap something that draws a lot of power it would blow the fuse and possibly damage my RD.

Tap into something that doesn't use much power already. And thats what a fuse is for so you don't damage your RD.

**TSi+WRX** · 04-11-2008, 06:27 PM

Also, tap into something "non-critical."

For example, don't do things like the head/tail-lights, turn-signals, windshield wipers, etc. That way, if this fuse somehow burns-out, you won't be left on the roadside going "now what?" - and wondering if it's your detector that did it.

Go for something like, say, the radio or the seat warmers or cigarette lighter.

Also, it'll be good practice to carry a spare fuse and fuse-puller kit. Although most modern vehicles include a few spares as well as a puller, it's often easier and more convenient to buy and store your own - it's both cheap as well as is a physically small kit/combo, which you can easily store in the back or your glovebox, with your other emergency kit.

**MEM-TEK** · 04-11-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by speederX50

just bought the hardwire kit but fogot to buy the add a fuse thing. Do I need to buy that or can it be done without it?

I plan on having my local car shop do it anyways so do I need to give them any special instruction with/without the fuse or will they know what to do?

Installing the hardwire kit is a no-brainer for a car stereo shop. They will look at the best place to tap into for power and ground, and will use an add-a-fuse if that is what they decide is the best way to go.

Just have them leave a bit of extra wire near the RJ-11 plug tucked away in the headliner. Why? In case the plug goes bad, then they can easily cut the bad plug off maybe an inch back from the plug and then crimp on a new plug.

**Lucky225** · 04-11-2008, 07:46 PM

Just tap the radio fuse

**Kayrac** · 04-11-2008, 07:48 PM

my local 'high end dealer' doesn't use add-a-fuse i asked them about it, there weary about putting to much power to something that wasn't designed for it, that being said if they cut into my vehicle wiring i'm pretty sure it voids my car warrenty, i have an add-a-fuse running both my satellite radio and my 9500i, hooked up to my rear windshield wiper(if i lose that for a day, not a huge deal), and have had NO problems what so ever

**TSi+WRX** · 04-11-2008, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Kayrac

my local 'high end dealer' doesn't use add-a-fuse i asked them about it, there weary about putting to much power to something that wasn't designed for it

If we're on the topic of detectors and jammers, er....no, that's not a real concern.

, that being said if they cut into my vehicle wiring i'm pretty sure it voids my car warrenty,

No, your warranty cannot be "voided" by anyone. There are laws to protect you against this unfair tactic.

However, due to the potential hassles that such modifications can generate (i.e. not in "voiding" your warranty, but with the dealership and/or manufacturer refusing, with rights, to allow warranty claim on problem areas which are deemed to have root-cause through the modifications that you've made), indeed, it's oftentimes more wise to simply bypass this issue altogether, if at all possible.

Note, though, that the old "strip the wire and shove it in the fuse" method cited by brother erickonphoenix (and others) also leaves virtually no trace at all, and itself requires one less component (and expense) than the Add-A-Circuit, and is just as "safe" (since over-current will simply blow the fuse, anyway).