View Full Version : hardwire risk?
hey guys, im pretty new to posting here but have been reading for a while. i feel im pretty close to making my first radar purchase (V955) for my mazda3. i want to hardwire the detector for a more permanent/discreet viewing. i know how to do it, im not asking that.
im worried about the risks... if i just use the hardwire kit and directly wire to my moonroof and adjacent ground, will i risk blowing/frying/shorting anything?? is it worth the extra time and money to run the fuse attachment??
id appreciate any help you guys can offer! (both on subject and my choice of first radar detector)
Orbital75
04-05-2007, 04:56 PM
Nope won't hurt a thing..... I prefer hard wiring to my Fuse box just so
I don't have to Splice into preexisting factory wires. This way when
I decide to buy another car, I can just take out the Hardwire and
wire up my new one.
TSi+WRX
04-05-2007, 05:36 PM
im worried about the risks... if i just use the hardwire kit and directly wire to my moonroof and adjacent ground, will i risk blowing/frying/shorting anything?? is it worth the extra time and money to run the fuse attachment??
Like Orbital said above, using something such as an "Add-A-Circuit" fusable link or even the old/tried-and-true "strip'n-plug" method into your vehicle's in-cabin fuse-block is typically both easier as well as easier to "clean up," when it's time to turn-over the vehicle.
However, typically, with the low-draw of detectors and such accessories, getting them to "share" a hardwire with non-vital accessories such as, say, the moon-roof, should be no problem at all.
Other close-by taps, such as that for any type of powered accessory rear-view mirror, overhead console lighting, etc., are also routinely used. Usually, what will make someone decide for or against tapping such wires are considerations of spacial allowance (i.e. whether or not the space can easily accommodate a "vamp/T-tap," or even whether or not they have enough working room in such an area to solder) and whether or not the source is switched or "constant on."
well the moonroof obviously only works when the car is on... i do know that there is enough room in there for a tap.
so it would be just fine splicing the wire or tapping the wire? im not going to short anthing or blow anything when i use both at the same time am i?
TSi+WRX
04-05-2007, 05:56 PM
well the moonroof obviously only works when the car is on...
^ You'd think that's true - :wink: :) - but if the accessory draws a low enough current or the circuit isn't truly "off," this could be problematic.
I'm currently having this same trouble with my LPPs and my vehicle...in that I need to find a TRULY "off" circuit to tap. :oops: :lol:
If you're capable, then testing the leads yourself with a multimeter is definitely the quickest and easiest way to go. Otherwise, consult with your specific vehicle (make/model/model-year) enthusiast/hobbyist Forum/d-board for more precise information. :)
so it would be just fine splicing the wire or tapping the wire? im not going to short anthing or blow anything when i use both at the same time am i?
That's unfortunatley something I can't easily answer for you. Most detectors draw no more than 2 amps when they're operating, but I don't know how much juice your moon-roof draws either during normal operation or when it encounters some kind of temporary blockage.....
If you do "blow" something, it'll be the fuse for the moonroof (and whatever else accessory that may share that same fuse on the block/circuit. It should not hurt anything permanently - which is why there's a fuse for it in the first place. :)
so theres no way i can sayyy fry my radar or anything other than a fuse? :lol: im not the best with circuitry...
TSi+WRX
04-05-2007, 06:28 PM
so theres no way i can sayyy fry my radar or anything other than a fuse? :lol: im not the best with circuitry...
^ That's a good question - will the RD fry, in such a situation?
Anyone else wanna step up to the plate here and answer this?
I'm sadly a biological scientist by trade and training. I may have gone to medical school, but all that required was a good grade in college-level physics, and even "physics for poets" counted. :lol: :oops:
Maybe wiring-in a small in-line fast-blow fuse, in-between the power wire for the moonroof and your detector, would be a good idea, nonetheless?
:?:
I honestly wish I knew, bro, but at the end of the day, I'm just a weekend shade-tree greasemonkey. :oops:
Hopefully someone with more experience can step up and take this question for you! :)
haha well its all good, im only in highschool :lol: so your guess is as good as mine! in my opinion, though, if i was going to route a blow fast fuse line, i mite as well just wire the fuse from radarroy. that way its done right and isnt a bunch of wires running everywhere... i just gotta figure out how to route the wires now...
i sent a pm to radarroy about this yesterday, hopefully hell get back to me on this with some better information. nobody seems to know (i have asked on the mazda forums page as well).
any feedback on the V955 in the meantime? :P
asianfire
04-05-2007, 07:20 PM
ALWAYS USE A FUSE!!!!!!!!!!!! I have mine hardwired to the fuse box as well, but I also have an inline fuse to the RD. Can't have too many fuses...lol.
But simply hooking into another power source isnt going to short anything out, unless you touch something that makes it a complete circuit. If cautious, disconnect the battery and then set it up and hook it up.
Orbital75
04-05-2007, 07:27 PM
ALWAYS USE A FUSE!!
Have to agree with AsianFire here. Alway use a fuse. Not only do I have an inline fuse that's integrated into the SmartCord but I also have one in my "Add a Circuit". If you do tap into your Sun Roof, use the SmartCord it's got an inline fuse on it.
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/84/escortdirectsmartdg8.jpg
Orbital- so essentially if i buy that remote (pictured above), it will serve the same purpose as buying the hardwire kit and the inline fuse attachment?
Orbital75
04-05-2007, 07:37 PM
Orbital- so essentially if i buy that remote (pictured above), it will serve the same purpose as buying the hardwire kit and the inline fuse attachment?
Yep..... It's fused and you can hook it to any power source you want to.
Plus you get the Mute Button attachment ( Very Handy )......
I like having the "Add a Circuit" connected up as well.
Just because it was an easy way to plug into the fuse box.
Just make sure what ever detector you buy has a RJ11 plug on the Radar Detector end......
All current Bels & Escorts have them.
Orbital- so essentially if i buy that remote (pictured above), it will serve the same purpose as buying the hardwire kit and the inline fuse attachment?
Yep..... It's fused and you can hook it to any power source you want to.
Plus you get the Mute Button attachment ( Very Handy )......
I like having the "Add a Circuit" connected up as well.
Just because it was an easy way to plug into the fuse box.
Just make sure what ever detector you buy has a RJ11 plug on the Radar Detector end......
All current Bels & Escorts have them.
you lost me on the last comment, but ill assume the v955 has one because its beltronics, from your statement.
so with the mute button attachment, i can plug tap it/splice it into any source that activates on ignition right? you only had to buy the other add a circuit for ease of installation?
sorry if im kinda going in circles, circuits are my weakness when it comes to car modding and such, i have lots to learn still...
Orbital75
04-05-2007, 08:02 PM
I"ll assume the v955 has one because its beltronics, from your statement.
That's correct all Beltronics detectors have the RJ11 connector
so with the mute button attachment, i can plug tap it/splice it into any source that activates on ignition right? you only had to buy the other add a circuit for ease of installation?
That's correct as well.... The "Add a Circuit" just makes for an easier installation when connecting to the fuse box.
hmm, well since to get the smartcord and the directwire and fuse cords will be about the same price and both have fuses, ill probably just order the smartcord then! thanks for all the help. changed my mind to buy the complete opposite that i set out, but itll work out for the better i think.
kinda switching subjects a little, anybody have experiences with the v955? good first budget radar? i hear that you cant turn off certain bands, does this create alot of falses?
Arashi666
04-05-2007, 08:19 PM
im pretty sure the 995 has variable band defeat on it
really? i thought i read somewhere on here that they didnt...
well are there any features on it that owners dont like? or things it doesnt have that hinder its detection ability? im trying to get an owners standpoint, not a paper test. :)
Arashi666
04-05-2007, 08:35 PM
I think 995 is the only Vector series unit that will do it......... 965 maybe........... but im pretty sure the 995 should, I mean it retails at the price of an X50 red so it dam well better be able to
Orbital75
04-05-2007, 08:38 PM
From what I have heard and read, it's an outstanding detector.
I'm pretty sure you can turn on and off the bands.
It's the Highest end Vector so that feature should be there.
I'm sure a 955 owner will chime in here with that answer
for ya.... Pretty sure you can though.
no no guys, im talking about the 955, NOT the 995 haha
i didnt catch when the numbers got jumbled in the first response :oops: but yea, im looking for info on the 955, i cant afford the 995 or x50 or rx65 right now. plus i want something simple, since this is my first.
Arashi666
04-05-2007, 10:42 PM
oops missed that.............. um, Yeah............... no band defeat you can mess with POP and SWS all you want though
can ya help put that in noob terms? haha. what do they stand for?
i dont know what part of texas your in but im smack in the middle of houston so lots of traffic and buildings, im wondering if ill get lots of falses on k band... (and i wouldnt be able to turn it off)
Arashi666
04-06-2007, 03:06 AM
POP is just that, POP Radar..... a practically useless thing there as a sales gimmick mostly
and SWS is Safety Warning System, a good Idea that never got around for the transmitters............ so another useless sales gimmick
ok thanks. i was cruising froogle last night and found the whister pro78 and whister xtr-690 for about 120-130, i thought these wernt out yet?
if they are how do they perform against the v955? i cant find any reviews on them...
iseeanonymous
04-06-2007, 11:05 AM
I would go with the Bel IMO. Check out http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html for the latest tests. Also I know it is easy to hardwire it to the sunroof and if you have the side curtain airbags I recommend you do that since you wouldn't be able to run the cable up the front pillar, otherwise use an add-a-fuse.[/url]
I would go with the Bel IMO. Check out http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html for the latest tests. Also I know it is easy to hardwire it to the sunroof and if you have the side curtain airbags I recommend you do that since you wouldn't be able to run the cable up the front pillar, otherwise use an add-a-fuse.[/url]
ah, a fellow mazda driver, sweet :D
with the information ive been given im thinking i should get a hardwire set up that has a fuse in it (just in case). to make it easier i was thinking about the cable with the extra box on it to silence the detector, but where would be a good place to route it to.
i think im going to have to route it down the side pillar (for the switch) and then back up to hardwire it.
any suggestions, since you probably know the car pretty well (mazda3)?? im kinda stuck with no easy way out..
iseeanonymous
04-07-2007, 10:34 PM
I would go with the Bel IMO. Check out http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html for the latest tests. Also I know it is easy to hardwire it to the sunroof and if you have the side curtain airbags I recommend you do that since you wouldn't be able to run the cable up the front pillar, otherwise use an add-a-fuse.[/url]
ah, a fellow mazda driver, sweet :D
with the information ive been given im thinking i should get a hardwire set up that has a fuse in it (just in case). to make it easier i was thinking about the cable with the extra box on it to silence the detector, but where would be a good place to route it to.
i think im going to have to route it down the side pillar (for the switch) and then back up to hardwire it.
any suggestions, since you probably know the car pretty well (mazda3)?? im kinda stuck with no easy way out..
Check your PMs.
I would go with the Bel IMO. Check out http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html for the latest tests. Also I know it is easy to hardwire it to the sunroof and if you have the side curtain airbags I recommend you do that since you wouldn't be able to run the cable up the front pillar, otherwise use an add-a-fuse.[/url]
ah, a fellow mazda driver, sweet :D
with the information ive been given im thinking i should get a hardwire set up that has a fuse in it (just in case). to make it easier i was thinking about the cable with the extra box on it to silence the detector, but where would be a good place to route it to.
i think im going to have to route it down the side pillar (for the switch) and then back up to hardwire it.
any suggestions, since you probably know the car pretty well (mazda3)?? im kinda stuck with no easy way out..
Check your PMs.
thanks for helpin me out yesterday, i think i have my direction now 8)