v1 hardwire question

[Jammer84_03]

ok, im not completely electrical savy, but i've finally got time to hardwire up my V1. i got a lighted led switch to power the unit on and off from my ashtray location. now on the switch, it has a ground, load and power tabs. i bought a add a fuse from advance to make the wiring simple.

now for the question. the wire that comes from the add a fuse kit will go to the load on the switch, and the power will go to the wire that runs to the hardwire kit correct? and obviously the ground just grounds to the car. again, i done feel like blowing the electrical system in the car or my V1, just a comformation that im doing it right is what i am looking for

- james

[V1 Dave]

You don't need that add a fuse, it is already fused twice, once with the 1-amp V1 direct wire fuse and again at the fuse box with what ever wire you tapped into.
I prefer to use one of those 12V electrical testers to find a fuse that goes on with the ignition at the fuse box.

[Jammer84_03]

yeah... i know it has a fuse already, im just did it for ease of use instead of more work...lol. i was just mainly worried about the wiring at the switch. thanks for your concern though. eventually when i do rewire the car i will do a more permenent solution, but with this weather im want to spend the least amount of time outside as possible. when i do the rebuild on the car though, its going to be perfect. i have to get a new alarm for the car and un-wire the old and rewire the new so i'll get everything done at the same time. as well i have a new loom going in as well as deleting the ignition key and going to a push button with a few hidden switches.

[REBinc]

I don't think thats correct, I beleive it would be the add a fuse kit red wire goes to power, the v1 should be the load, and just find the nearest screw to ground to.

[Jammer84_03]

ok....this is why i asked....lol. i can attach pics if needed.

[VRV1]

I agree with REBInc...

The add-a-fuse should connect to the "power" port
The V1 should be connected to the "load" port

This doesn't discuss the switch but may help you out...
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=34244

[Jammer84_03]

i got it all wired up.... works great. i got it on a fuse that only has power when the car is running. i was thinking about putting it on a fuse that is constant, that way i can monitor even the car is shut off, and just use the switch at that point. any suggestions?

p.s. i would show pics but i have a huge crack in my windshield and its a little embarassing at the moment. as soon as its fixed, alond with my interior i will have plenty of shots to show

[VRV1]

If you want it to be regardless of the ignition status, you just need to find a fuse that's constantly on. Depending on your car, it could be any variety of fuses. In my car randomly enough, the fog light fuse was always on. Just try different one's until you find one that works for you.

[Jammer84_03]

yeah. i know of one that is. i just have to do a quick switch and i got it done

[Esoterica]

I'd hit a constant power source on the car, not one that's switched when only the car is running. Its far safer for the longevity of your electronic device to power it on/off independently of when the car is on or off. If a person gets use to using the key to turn their device on/off then they are going to tend to always leave power to it on. The voltage and the current that takes place while your car is being started can be all over the place and not always in the best interest of your detector. So by having constant power to it you help break the habit of leaving it on all the time while the car is starting.

It also makes life easier when your just outside your house playing around with your settings.

Test the circuit you choose to use for constant power while the car is starting up though. I've run into some that will have power while the vehicle is off, then when you're turning the key on it cuts the power to it off till you return the key back to the normal run position or full off position.

This can make for a very annoying double detector start up sequence if you turn your detector on before starting your car.

I like to wait before turning my detector or anything on till after the car has started and its idle speed has stabilized, then I'm religious about turning everything off before turning the car off when I'm done. It goes a long ways in preventing damage from power fluctuations.