Install Help - On/Off Switch - Radar

[spider_55]

Hello,

Can you please help with my install for an on/off switch for my detector?

I purchased hook-up wire (18G), black rocker switch (10 A, 125 VCA), and a bunch of solderless insulated male and female quick disconnects (4 each).

I have no idea what to do with these. Do I attach the female only to the rocker switch and then connect the other female end to the phone wire used for the detector? Do I even use the male connectors? Should this be wired to my cig lighter where I tapped in the detector? I feel lost..

I tried to search, but everyone says they've done it, but they don't explain how to do it. The rocker switch did not come with instructions, and the radio shack people had no clue. They just wanted to try and sell me other electronics.

Can someone please point me in the right direction? I know a lot of you have this on/off setup, so please advise on how I should proceed. I really don't want to pay someone else to do this work.

Thanks.

[Arashi666]

I dunno if you gotta ground the switch......but generally, all you have to do is plug the POWER (Battery or whatever youre using for power) end to one end and the LOAD (RD)to the other, since I only see two leads off the switch I assume its NOT lighted (Because in which case it should have a 3rd pin to ground the switch)............... and NO in this particular case you do NOT use the male connectors, its all in/out of the switch

next come mounting location.and thats ALL YOU, find a good spot where you like it, drill the hole and mount it, real straightforward

Hiding wire and running it and all that is the next little thing, quite easy if you hnow how to take apart your car, rally thats all I can say on that

Hope this helps

[spider_55]

Thanks! I think I get it now.

Fishing the wire is the easy part for me. Once I get it working, I can take my time and find a nice spot for a mount.

Ok, I will give it a shot and post pics when completed.

Thanks for your reply.

[Switchback]

and the radio shack people had no clue. They just wanted to try and sell me other electronics.




I love it, What the heck happened to radio Shack? back in the 70's, it was the place to go for the best in everything and the most knowledgable electro-geeks around.

Nowadays, you hope to get a simple component, (like a slow-blow fuse) and they are completely clueless, and look at you like you are speaking greek or something.

Sorry for the off-topic RS rant, But it is a good thing we have internet access these days, or we would all be stuck in the bronze age with regards to electronic supplies if we had to rely on the shack.

[richardboy316]

post pictures after ure done

[spider_55]

One more question. Do I / can I connect the wire directly to the power and RD wire?

Meaning, do I strip the RD wire and spin the wire coming from the switch to it, then add tape? Then repeat for the wire from the switch to the power wire?

I would like to use the same scothlock crimp thingy that came with the direct wire kit, but nobody seems to carry it and I don't feel like ordering a box of 1000 on-line..

As for the Radio shack rant... trust me I had the same rant.. It went like, "when I was a kid..." Now it's called Source by Circuit City, and they barely have anything in stock for actual electronics, or know what your talking about. Radio Shack carried the "add a fuse" component, but source by circuit city only had fuse holders, and looked at me like I was speaking another language (Because they didn't know English very well) when I asked for it.. They don't have the electrical parts or knowledge anymore. They want to sell phones, stereos, and computers.. Same as all the other stores.

I think I just thread jacked my own thread..

Any suggestions on connecting the wires? Will stripping the wires and adding tape work? Or do I need to use the scotchlock thingy? Please don't suggest soldering.. That's not going to happen.

Thanks.

[Arashi666]

One more question. Do I / can I connect the wire directly to the power and RD wire?

Meaning, do I strip the RD wire and spin the wire coming from the switch to it, then add tape? Then repeat for the wire from the switch to the power wire?

I would like to use the same scothlock crimp thingy that came with the direct wire kit, but nobody seems to carry it and I don't feel like ordering a box of 1000 on-line..

As for the Radio shack rant... trust me I had the same rant.. It like, "when I was a kid..." Now it's called Source by Circuit City, and they barely have anything in stock for actual electronics, or know what your talking about. Radio Shack carried the "add a fuse" component, but source by circuit city only had fuse holders, and looked at me like I was speaking another language (Because they didn't know English very well) when I asked for it.. They don't have the electrical parts or knowledge anymore. They want to sell phones, stereos, and computers.. Same as all the other stores.

I think I just thread jacked my own thread..

Any suggestions on connecting the wires? Will stripping the wires and adding tape work? Or do I need to use the scotchlock thingy? Please don't suggest soldering.. That's not going to happen.

Thanks.

not too many people like those connectors that you speak of, you can go back to RS and pick up a wire-tap, and do it like that (Usually sold in sets of like 5)

I SERIOUSLY DO NOT recomend the strip and tape method, because its not the most stable thing to do with this kind of set-up

There are plenty of other things, like running the wire directly to the Batteery, tapping into a fuse using a thing called "Add-a-circuit" that you can find at most auto parts stores, and plain old wrapping the wire around the fuse pin........plenty of ways if you want

[spider_55]

not too many people like those connectors that you speak of, you can go back to RS and pick up a wire-tap, and do it like that (Usually sold in sets of like 5)

I SERIOUSLY DO NOT recomend the strip and tape method, because its not the most stable thing to do with this kind of set-up


Wire tap like this:
http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/64/6403052l.jpg

And then these to plug into the wire tap?
http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/64/6403036l.jpg

[Arashi666]

not too many people like those connectors that you speak of, you can go back to RS and pick up a wire-tap, and do it like that (Usually sold in sets of like 5)

I SERIOUSLY DO NOT recomend the strip and tape method, because its not the most stable thing to do with this kind of set-up


Wire tap like this:
http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/64/6403052l.jpg

And then these to plug into the wire tap?
http://www.thesourcecc.com/images/Online/64/6403036l.jpg

a bit different than what I see them as but I think you put 1 wire into one slot and the other in the other and slap that flap down to engage the metallic 'connector' and let it go from there

and I do NOT know WTF that other thing you have there is...no idea really

[spider_55]

a bit different than what I see them as but I think you put 1 wire into one slot and the other in the other and slap that flap down to engage the metallic 'connector' and let it go from there

and I do NOT know WTF that other thing you have there is...no idea really

Ok, thanks.

The other pic is a Crimp-on butt connectors. 10 for 22-18 gauge

I thought I needed these to attach to the wire and then use this to the plug into the wire-tap. Thanks for clarifying.

My only reference was the tap-in used in the Bel hardwire (scotchlock), and that used a metal piece to fit into the wire-tap.

Just sticking the wire in the hole seems so much easier. :)

BTW.. I was at RS and told them exactly what I wanted to do. They had no clue. So, thanks again for all you help.

[Arashi666]

a bit different than what I see them as but I think you put 1 wire into one slot and the other in the other and slap that flap down to engage the metallic 'connector' and let it go from there

and I do NOT know WTF that other thing you have there is...no idea really

Ok, thanks.

The other pic is a Crimp-on butt connectors. 10 for 22-18 gauge

I thought I needed these to attach to the wire and then use this to the plug into the wire-tap. Thanks for clarifying.

My only reference was the tap-in used in the Bel hardwire (scotchlock), and that used a metal piece to fit into the wire-tap.

Just sticking the wire in the hole seems so much easier. :)

BTW.. I was at RS and told them exactly what I wanted to do. They had no clue. So, thanks again for all you help.

Yeah no problem..we over here know MUCH better than thos RMR/Cobra Worshipping idiots at RS

But really around me its not that bad, I got alot of older guys that know their stuff...not just those minimum-wage kids that dont know JACK about anything

[Road Warrior]

As for the Radio shack rant... trust me I had the same rant.. It went like, "when I was a kid..." Now it's called Source by Circuit City, and they barely have anything in stock for actual electronics, or know what your talking about. Radio Shack carried the "add a fuse" component, but source by circuit city only had fuse holders, and looked at me like I was speaking another language (Because they didn't know English very well) when I asked for it.. They don't have the electrical parts or knowledge anymore. They want to sell phones, stereos, and computers.. Same as all the other stores.

Cause you're in Canada, for that kind of stuff you go to PARTS SOURCE, the outside (and inside as well...) looks identical, logo and color, with AutoZone down in the States, they have everything you want to cranck-up your car plus are not so large, in interior space, as Canadian Tire, so you find everything on a smaller indoor surface...

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Yeah don't shop at Canadian Tire, I worked there... I was the "automotive specialist" and all we did was play grab-ass in the back room with the chicks from the paint aisle :twisted:

[mystic]

Yeah don't shop at Canadian Tire, I worked there... I was the "automotive specialist" and all we did was play grab-ass in the back room with the chicks from the paint aisle :twisted:

Please SAS, Please tell me you were not one of the 14 year old counter kids that, if asked for a jug of washer fluid, would go to his computer and ask if it was for an automatic or standard. :D :D Please say it wasn't you.

[Orbital75]

If you plan on Tapping to the fuse box for power, I would recommend one of these. This is called a fuse Tap and you can get them at radio shack

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7576/fusetapnf6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Yeah don't shop at Canadian Tire, I worked there... I was the "automotive specialist" and all we did was play grab-ass in the back room with the chicks from the paint aisle :twisted:

Please SAS, Please tell me you were not one of the 14 year old counter kids that, if asked for a jug of washer fluid, would go to his computer and ask if it was for an automatic or standard. :D :D Please say it wasn't you.

Oh hell no... I know my cars very well, that's why I was the specialist :wink:. But as I said, I was in the back room playing grab ass 8)

[spider_55]

Sigh... Doesn't work.

I connected a wire to the RD wire, and another to the power source used for my RD. Then attached other ends to switch.

My RD powers up as normal and remains on even when I flip the switch. I changed / swapped the connections on the switch just to test... I also tried moving the RD wire connection before and after the fuse provided in the hardwire kit. Still, it does not switch off..

Any suggestions?

--Pic of wire attached to RD

EDIT: **Pic removed because it was the wrong setup and I don't want to add confusion**

--Pic of wire attached to power (cig lighter wire) before the scotchlock wire tap for RD.

EDIT: **Pic removed because it was the wrong setup and I don't want to add confusion**

--Pic of switch -- I swapped these around to test.

EDIT: **Pic removed because it was the wrong setup and I don't want to add confusion**

[kpatz]

If the switch doesn't work, you have it wired wrong.

You need to wire it like this:

1. Wire one terminal on the switch to the tap on the cig lighter wire.
2. Connect the other terminal on the switch to the wire going to the RD.
3. Connect the ground wire to the RD to a ground on the car (if the RD is powering up, this connection is OK already)

The fuse can go before or after the switch, but before the switch is safer. Ideally close to the tap.

Cig lighter wire->tap -----> fuse ----> one switch terminal
other switch terminal ----> wire to RD
ground wire from RD ----> grounded metal screw

Once you wire it this way, the RD should turn on and off with the switch.

I see the blue tap, what's the orange plastic thing? Another tap? I'm confused.

[spider_55]

If the switch doesn't work, you have it wired wrong.

You need to wire it like this:

1. Wire one terminal on the switch to the tap on the cig lighter wire.
2. Connect the other terminal on the switch to the wire going to the RD.
3. Connect the ground wire to the RD to a ground on the car (if the RD is powering up, this connection is OK already)

The fuse can go before or after the switch, but before the switch is safer. Ideally close to the tap.

Cig lighter wire->tap -----> fuse ----> one switch terminal
other switch terminal ----> wire to RD
ground wire from RD ----> grounded metal screw

Once you wire it this way, the RD should turn on and off with the switch.

I see the blue tap, what's the orange plastic thing? Another tap? I'm confused.

I tried this again just now, and still no luck. Very frustrating.

1. I used a wire tap (red) on the cig lighter power wire (pink) before the RD hardwire tap (blue). My wire from one terminal (black) is in the red wire tap with the power wire from the cig lighter (pink). The terminal wire is connected to the switch.

2. I used a wire tap (red) on the RD wire just after the original RD wire tap (blue). My wire from the other terminal (black) is in the red wire tap with the RD wire. The terminal wire is connected to the switch.

3. My ground wire for my RD is grounded to the chassis. My detector works, but my switch does nothing.

cig wire --- red tap with switch wire and cig wire -- cig wire -- blue tap origanlly from RD harwire

blue tap --- RD wire --- red tap with switch wire and RD wire -- RD fuse -- RD wire to detector
(I tried it before and after fuse)

I don't know what else to try.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

Why not cut the RD power line, crimp two terminals on each end, then put the switch on that?

[spider_55]

Why not cut the RD power line, crimp two terminals on each end, then put the switch on that?

You mean twist the two switch wires together and then use the wire tap on the cig lighter wire with the switch wires?

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I'm not sure, I can't visualize your setup :x

What I would do is have :

RD wire tap (+) connected to one terminal of switch. Then have the other terminal connected to the + wire on the RD (which would normally connect to the wire tap directly). Then leave ground as it is.

[spider_55]

I'm not sure, I can't visualize your setup :x

What I would do is have :

RD wire tap (+) connected to one terminal of switch. Then have the other terminal connected to the + wire on the RD (which would normally connect to the wire tap directly). Then leave ground as it is.

Ok, I will try it. I have pics of my setup above.

I will disconnect current RD tap into blue wire tap (orignal with hardwire).
I will connect terminal of switch to this tap.
I will connect other terminal from switch to RD wire.

[spider_55]

Ok, it works now. Why must I always do things the hard way???

Thanks for you help and suggestions kpatz, Arashi666, and SmaartAasSaabr!!

It sounds gay, but I would not have known where to go or what to try without your help. I realize that it must be difficult helping / supporting someone remotely. I tried to post as many pics as possible to help visualize my setup. I truly appreciate all your suggestions. I feel like such a dumb ass with the wiring, but really wanted to try it at home.

I am now in the process of running and hiding wires.

[Arashi666]

Ok, it works now. Why must I always do things the hard way???

Thanks for you help and suggestions kpatz, Arashi666, and SmaartAasSaabr!!

It sounds *BEEP*, but I would not have known where to go or what to try without your help. I realize that it must be difficult helping / supporting someone remotely. I tried to post as many pics as possible to help visualize my setup. I truly appreciate all your suggestions. I feel like such a dumb ass with the wiring, but really wanted to try it at home.

I am now in the process of running and hiding wires.

sorry I couldnt help on the 2nd bit, just got back in school, so no time to check

but youre certainly welcome on the 1st half that i helped on

It is rather difficult when youre NOT THERE, but you cant have everything now can ya?