DIY: Hardwiring your radar detector

[pche]

Do radar detectors really work...? Had a few in the past, to me they're more of a annoyance than an functioning device.

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by pche

Do radar detectors really work...? Had a few in the past, to me they're more of a annoyance than an functioning device.

A good detector can work pretty well on the highway. My valentine 1 can see several miles long before I can actually get a visual. I get false positives in certain places, but since I frequent those area's I know what the number count is and if it goes up I know its most likely a LEO driving around.

I find it helpful, but every now and then if you just speed or drive recklessly. You are eventually going to get tagged.

[tonystewart]

I'm driving South on 1-95 about ten miles North of the Florida Georgia Border, approaching St Mary's Road Exit (last interchange before the state line) CAMDEN COUNTY.
V1 starts singing LASER! I lift, start to brake, it's too late, Camden County Unmarked Deputy Sheriff on the overpass has me dead to rights with Laser, darn!
I set cruise at 75, pass under overpass and see Camden County Sheriffs cars lined up for the chase. I move to the center lane expecting a quick closure but instead the car just hangs back there, weird. A full mile goes by and the Deputy slowly passes me, slowly, and heads South. 30 seconds later he lights up the Gold Nissan 370Z that was in front of me the whole time. They shoulder their cars and I continue onward.
Probably thought, "no way the thing is doing 90".
I wasn't in my daughters Raven FRS, I was in my 06 Toyota Sienna Limited.
They had plenty of chase cars....Go figure

[AVodka14]

Originally Posted by modena

Ran my V1 power cord on the drivers side, needed power from the ODB2 port.
Using the V1's Bluetooth and SAVVY adapter.
Running YaV1 app, and have GPS lockouts, custom sweeps ext.
This setup removes almost all false and bogus treats and makes the V1 a whole lot less "Chatty"

I am considering this setup in my FRS. Does the SAVVY adapter connect to the OBD2 port? Then the detector plugs into SAVVY? And V1Connection LE connector plugs into SAVVY?

[modena]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

I am considering this setup in my FRS. Does the SAVVY adapter connect to the OBD2 port? Then the detector plugs into SAVVY? And V1Connection LE connector plugs into SAVVY?

Correct... Easy as pie...
(Best picture i have)

[AVodka14]

Originally Posted by modena

Correct... Easy as pie...
(Best picture i have)

Excellent. One more question...how did you run the wire from the V1 to SAVVY?

[modena]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Excellent. One more question...how did you run the wire from the V1 to SAVVY?

Have the V1 mounted on the "dot matrix" passenger side.
(Next to the rear view mirror) You can hardly see it, and the forward and rear antenna's have a real good view.
Cable is a black phone wire, runs under the roof liner by the windshield,
strait down the drivers A pillar, exiting underneath the steering wheel.
Panel removes very easy with 2 Philips screws.

[AVodka14]

Originally Posted by modena

Have the V1 mounted on the "dot matrix" passenger side.
(Next to the rear view mirror) You can hardly see it, and the forward and rear antenna's have a real good view.
Cable is a black phone wire, runs under the roof liner by the windshield,
strait down the drivers A pillar, exiting underneath the steering wheel.
Panel removes very easy with 2 Philips screws.

Gotcha. That makes sense. You sound quite electronically adept. Much appreciation.

[idanvan]

thanks for this!

[codesplice]

A bit late to the party, but I figured I'd add my thanks as well - I used this guide to figure out which wires to tap for my V1 and dashcam the day after I drove the car home

[kdmxdgt]

do these direct wires tap into the existing wires (pierce through the shielding) or do they just make contact and sit next to them in the harness? i tried to wire in an escort smartradar which came with one of these "direct wires" and it broke towards the Y connection after the fuse while i was trying to feed it in. i guess i pushed too hard and/or twisted it.

thanks

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by kdmxdgt

do these direct wires tap into the existing wires (pierce through the shielding) or do they just make contact and sit next to them in the harness? i tried to wire in an escort smartradar which came with one of these "direct wires" and it broke towards the Y connection after the fuse while i was trying to feed it in. i guess i pushed too hard and/or twisted it.

thanks

Got pictures of the "direct wire"? I'm not familiar enough with Escort hardware to recall what their hardwire kit looks like.

I used a couple of wire taps for wiring my V1 - similar to [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Install-Bay-3MBTT-T-Tap-Connector/dp/B001JT72D4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409664488&sr=8-1&keywords=wire+taps]these[/ame]. With the taps, you need to make sure you get the right size - too big, and they won't pierce the insulation to make contact with the power wire; to small, and they may shear straight through the wire.

[kdmxdgt]

It's basically the same as what is in the original post.
It can be seen here at the bottom of the page. https://www.escortradar.com/escort-blendmounts/

[codesplice]

I believe those should just push into the back of the connector - no need to pierce the wire's insulation when you can just make good contact with the connector itself. They may take some finesse to get them wedged in there properly, but I don't think you should have to push on them too hard.