How do you hardwire a radar detector?
The entire purpose of hardwiring a radar detector is to connect it to your vehicle’s fuse box. The power cable will go through the trim completely out of sight. By doing this you will make your vehicle less of a target for thieves, which is a nice bonus.
How do I add a radar detector to my Fuse Box?
We’re going to add your radar detector so that it’s also tapping into the fuse box like all your other electronics. (You can do the same thing with your dashcam, laser jammers, phone charger cables, etc.) To actually tap into the fuse box, you’ll need something called an add-a-circuit.
Where does the power go from a radar detector?
It goes directly from the radar detector to the power source, which in this case will be your car’s fuse box. You will find that there are multiple types of hardwiring cables to choose from.
Can I mount a radar detector behind a tinted window?
It allows you to mount your detector high up near your headliner for better radar detection, your detector can be more stealthy behind your tint strip without the cable dangling down so it’s less visible to police or potential thieves, you can leave it in your car with less chance of someone else seeing it, etc.
How do I hardwire my radar detector?
11:0421:44How to Hardwire a Radar Detector, Dashcam, & Wireless Charging ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake a nice strong connection uh both on the metal wiring itself. And on the sheathing to make sureMoreMake a nice strong connection uh both on the metal wiring itself. And on the sheathing to make sure that it holds it in place and it doesn't slide out accidentally.
How do you hardwire a dash cam on a VW Golf?
5:4415:30Hardwire install dash cam (VW Golf) or: access fuse box, A ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimple here's the fuse tap along with a 5 amp fuse installed in the added circus slot and the ringMoreSimple here's the fuse tap along with a 5 amp fuse installed in the added circus slot and the ring terminal there is the ground wire.
Is it worth hardwiring a dash cam?
It connects to the dash cam and helps regulate power to avoid battery drainage. Having a hardwire kit is a must if you decide to use the parking mode feature on your dash cam. Please note, not all dash cams have the parking mode feature, and therefore a hardwire kit is not necessary.
Does hardwire dashcam drain battery?
There's almost no difference between the hardwire and the cigarette adapter as an external power source because they both only provide power when the vehicle is turned off, meaning your car battery won't get drained.
How to connect radar detector to fuse box?
To connect the radar detector to your fuse box, you will need to purchase what is known as an add-a-circuit kit. You can locate the fuse box in your vehicle by referring to the owner’s manual, as the location differs depending on the vehicle.
How to connect ground wire to car?
You can use ground wire from existing electronics or connect it to a metal part of your vehicle’s chassis. The easiest way to connect the ground wire is to find some that are already near the fuse box. If you cannot find any, you will need to locate a part of your car’s chassis that is made of metal.
How to connect hardwire cable to add a circuit?
The first method of doing this involves using the blue connector that is found at the end of the add-a-circuit. Strip the end of the cable if necessary before inserting it into the blue connector.
What is hardwire cable?
The hardwire cable is essentially just the cable that will power your radar detector. It is also sometimes referred to as a direct wire cable. It goes directly from the radar detector to the power source, which in this case will be your car’s fuse box.
How to run wires on add a circuit?
The best way to run the wires is to start at the fuse box and work your way up. It may be necessary to take the body panels off to do this.
Do radar detectors turn off automatically?
Depending on the type of car you have , it might be necessary to manually turn your radar detector on and off each time. Some radar detectors with built-in GPS automatically turn off when they sense your vehicle hasn’t been moving for a while. After you have located the proper fuse slot, you may remove the current fuse.
Can you take off the body panels of a radar detector?
It may be necessary to take the body panels off to do this . Check to make certain that the wire isn’t in the way of the airbag. If you have completed all of the above steps successfully, you should have what looks like a clean and organized setup for your radar detector.
How to get power from radar detector?
Add-a-circuit Fuse Tap. Now to actually get power for your radar detector, you’re going to want to tap into your fuse box. The fuse box is located in different places in different cars, but inside you’ll see lots of little fuses for different parts of your car: AC, stereo, power seats, airbags, etc.
Why do radar detectors turn off when you turn off your car?
You’ll want to use something that turns off when you turn off your car so that your radar detector doesn’t drain and kill your car battery when you’re parked. Then when you start your car up next, your detector turns back on.
How to use blue connector?
The first is to use the blue connector on the end of the add-a-circuit. You can strip the end of the power wire of your hardwire cable if it doesn’t come stripped already, insert it into the blue connector, and use a crimper (not pliers!) to crimp down on the blue connector and make a good solid connection.
What is a hardwire cable?
It’s basically a long straight cable that connects to a power source on one end and plugs into your radar detector on the other end. There’s a variety of different types. Your traditional hardwire cable is just a simple power cable.
Why do you put a detector on your headliner?
It allows you to mount your detector high up near your headliner for better radar detection, your detector can be more stealthy behind your tint strip without the cable dangling down so it’s less visible to police or potential thieves, you can leave it in your car with less chance of someone else seeing it, etc.
What side of the fuse is the power supplied?
Power is supplied on one side of the fuse slot and is designed to flow across the fuse to the other side. Use your multimeter to figure out which side is powered and then plug in the add-a-circuit so the red wire is on the other side. This way you can ensure the fuse is being used in the circuit.
Can you tuck wires behind body panels?
Often times you can simply tuck the wires behind the body panels, but sometimes you may have to remove panels to get the cleanest install. (Note: Make sure your wire doesn’t run over top of the airbag in your A-pillar!) Here’s a look at where my hardwire cable is run along my car. That’s it!
