modifying a detector to wire in additional warning lights

[joegibs]

i'm new to the forum, and new to detectors as well. My friend's got a nicer escort detector (says its one of their best, dont know model number) and i've borrowed it a couple times to haul ass back to college from my home town. i've noticed that in the day time, and even at night time sometimes, i dont see the display light up saying its going off. There's also a noise given off, but i cant hear it over my music, not even close.

I'm considering buying one myself, but i wont do it unless its possible to modify it so i can see a large light that comes on when signal is picked up. i'm into modifying things, i do it with pretty much everything i get my hands on to. i'm really into car audio, so the whole running wire, splitting, soldering, the whole works is easy for me.

is it possible, in general, not with any detector in particular to crack open the casing and find the light circuit and tap into it to wire in an external neon tube to make it VERY noticeable when i'm being scanned? If it is, i'd run a wire from that positive circuit to a relay so i wouldnt overload the detector from trying to draw too much current.

thanks for any help

[RacerX]

welcome.

not sure on the specifics of that, but you could get the external amplified speaker. it's pretty small, but would give the extra loudness.

the remote plug has the flashing red light. maybe mount that on the steering column, or possible tap into that light and run a remote light.
that might be better, since if something gets messed up, you don't kill or lose the warranty on the detector and a replacement remote display would be much cheaper.

[compu44]

maybe check in the menu of the detector. If you can't see the display light up at night it sounds like it might be set for dim.

The easiest way would certainly be to get the external amplified speaker, but the extra lights could be done.

[proudNMAmember]

If it is an Escort 8500 x50, to adjust the brightness, hold both buttons on the top and you will go into the programming menu. From there you can find the brightness adjustment. Mk

[Mayur]

You could always hit that dim button on the radar and it will adjust the brightness

[jimbonzzz]

It would be pretty easy to build a circuit that runs off the pulses that come from the detector that trigger the LED on the SmartCord...

[Force5]

Wouldn't it be easier to go with an integrated unit like the SRX or RX75 ? Those are made to be customized and you also have the advantage of not having to carry the thing around with you...

[joegibs]

thanks for the replies and ideas. the detector not being bright enough isnt an issue, its plenty bright. I just think its kind of stupid that there's always something on the display, so when it lights up saying KA for example and three bars, i dont notice that the display changed from what it was previously showing. i dont think an external speaker would do me much good either. as i said before, i'm really into the car audio stuff, so my music is loud enough that i literally cant hear anything else but the music.

on the plug that goes into the cigarette lighter, how many wires are running through that cord? i'm assuming there's a main positive and negative, then a positive and negative for the LED on the plug. if that were the case, i'd chop off the plug, run a positive and negative for the main power wires, and then use the positive and negative for the light to run to the relay.

it would probably be a better idea to try and modify that plug instead of opening up the case and messing with it, as that most likely would void any warranty.

im thinking a nice 10" big bright red neon tube mounted right in front of me by the spedo would be just about enough.

[AirMoore]

I just think its kind of stupid that there's always something on the display, so when it lights up saying KA for example and three bars, i dont notice that the display changed from what it was previously showing.

If its the Passport Escort X50... change the pilot on it... that will solve your problem there... so you will see the alert.

i dont think an external speaker would do me much good either. as i said before, i'm really into the car audio stuff, so my music is loud enough that i literally cant hear anything else but the music.

I also know a tid-bit about car audio... and the amplified speaker probably wont help if your system is that loud 143+DB, but at least you rd's stay on the windshield when you turn up the volume.

[joegibs]

just talked to my buddy, and his detector is the passport 8500. he said he bought it used on ebay, and didnt get a manual with it. he asked me to post asking how to "change the pilot".