Hard wire radar detector

[mateoc15]

I have a stock 2004 GM head unit and an iSimple adapter which is really "simple" as the name implies. There's a female harness on one end, a male harness on the other, and it plugs right up. That part is done.

At this point what I would like to do is hard wire my radar detector to turn on when the car turns on, and off when the car turns off. If it's easier I'm ok with wiring it to turn on only when the radio is on or whatever. That could work too.

My question is, which wires should I tie into? I think I would like to do it in between the iSimple harnesses so worst case I need a new adapter, not fubar the whole system or something. I have experience installing new head units and manually splicing the wires so that's not a concern. Just need to know which wires to connect to. I assume it's yellow, red, or black, some combination thereof.

I considered finding an unused fuse but that's too big of a pain in the ***.

This is for a 2004 Escalade ESV stock navigation head unit with rear DVD. Again, all stock except the inline iSimple adapter.

Thanks!

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[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Power from battery to relay, relay to radar. To turn the relay on, tie into the acc in the steering column. Shuts off when turned off and power to it when vehicle is on.

 

[sleazebagger 10+ year member]

Power from battery to relay, relay to radar. To turn the relay on, tie into the acc in the steering column. Shuts off when turned off and power to it when vehicle is on.

remember to thank him for the help^

 

[mateoc15]

I do appreciate the help, but I'm a bit confused. What relay? And I'm not sure I want to mess with anything in the steering column. Is there a way to just use the stereo wiring?

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

You could......and you need to buy a relay. A single pole double throw. Or SPDT for short. Ask any auto store for one.

You could use the acc power to the deck to turn it on.

 

[ktraughb 10+ year member]

If you're not keen on relays there are other ways to obtain ignition or accessory power without them. The relay is the best method though. You can tie directly into accessory or ignition wire or tap into windshield wiper fuses on most gm cars. But again, relay is best. Im sure he can give you a diagram for which contacts to use for what, if not I can get something on here for you. Whatever you tie into, fuse it right after that point.

 

[mateoc15]

I found this (for a motorcycle, same idea):

1. So 87 goes to the radar detector. I just cut the cigarette lighter end off of the power cable that came with it. There's a white and red wire in it. Which do I connect to 87?

2. 85 will be whichever I didn't connect in 87?

3. 86 will just tie into either an existing ground wire or maybe another metal body piece or something. Got that.

4. 30 will go to the red stereo wire?

Not sure why I'm not getting this easily, but I'll get it! I promise! Thanks for sticking with me.

- Matt

EDIT: Oh, that's a SPST. What will 87a go to then in a SPDT?

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

87A is not used.

85 goes to whatever turn on signal wire you decide to use (ACC or something from your radio)

30 goes directly to the battery for 12V

Before you chop off that cigarette adapter make sure you look it over. Your radar detector may not run off 12V and that adapter might have an internal circuit that steps the voltage down to 5V or something similar. In which case if you cut it off and directly wire in 12V your likely to let the smoke out of your radar detector. Check the plug very carefully, there's probably a sticker on it somewhere with some information.

 

[CrysisMaker 10+ year member]

87A is not used.
85 goes to whatever turn on signal wire you decide to use (ACC or something from your radio)

30 goes directly to the battery for 12V

Before you chop off that cigarette adapter make sure you look it over. Your radar detector may not run off 12V and that adapter might have an internal circuit that steps the voltage down to 5V or something similar. In which case if you cut it off and directly wire in 12V your likely to let the smoke out of your radar detector. Check the plug very carefully, there's probably a sticker on it somewhere with some information.

This. Not everything for a car runs off 12v. Could be more or less. Take Bubbas advice and check. Could be out a detector if you dont... Also, you can go to the manufacturers web site and see if they give any specs for voltage. If not, Google may help.

 

[mateoc15]

I did just check. It's 12V 2A power, so that makes it easy. I think I'm just going to use an add-a-circuit and do it that way and put in a 2A fuse. Seems more straightforward and I don't risk cutting anything I could fubar.

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

It says it's 12V 2A on the output? Your sure that's not the input ratings? If that's the output then you'd be find cutting it off and hard wiring it to a relay as suggested.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

what brand is the radar?

if its a beltronics or escort I can go to my car and find out which wire is which

All I did was cut a phone cord and strip the wires...thats essentially what the cord is anyways...

the phone plug goes to the detector and the wire ends go to a power source with a fuse

 

[mateoc15]

Here's the spec. You're right, I initially thought 12V because of the accessories in the PDF but that's the cigarette adapter, not necessarily the power it consumes. So... the PDF doesn't say anything, the unit itself doesn't have a label, so I put in a question to their support.

Man, what a pain in the arse.

Also, I couldn't find a relay at the local AutoZone.

 

[mateoc15]

I got this information from Cobra's tech support. This is a PDF document that they sent. I'm sure they get this kind of question all the time. It seems to be generic to all of their models as I was given no indication otherwise.

"Hardwiring a Radar Detector to the Fuse Block

To hardwire a radar detector to the fuse block, it is highly recommended to purchase our part

number RA-PSC-B. This is a special power cord just for hardwiring our radar detectors. The cord

is approximately 10 feet long. It has a radar connector on one end, and has bare wires and a fuse on

the other end. The polarity of the wires is marked. Using this cord makes installation much easier.

The polarity of the connector is center-tip-positive.

If you do not purchase the hardwire cord, then you must cut the cigarette plug off the standard

power cord. Then open the cigarette plug and see which wire color goes to the fuse. This is the (+)

wire. Since the fuse was in the cigarette plug, you should install a fuse holder on the (+) wire. The

fuse holder should be at the end of the cable, so that it will be near the power source (typically the

fuse box). Remove the fuse from the cigarette plug and install it in the fuse holder. Radio Shack

sells a suitable fuse holder, part number 270-1281.

Installation:

Please read the note following these instructions.

1. Connect the fused wire to a fuse in the fuse box. The fuse for the radio is recommended. To

connect the wire to a fuse, it is recommended to use a “fuse tap” which can be found at Radio

Shack and local auto stores. A fuse tap makes it easy to tap power from a fuse. You can

connect the fuse tap to either side of the fuse – it does not matter.

2. Plug the cable into the radar detector and turn on the detector.

3. Turn on the ignition.

4. Touch the other wire to various screws under the dash. When the detector turns on, you have

found a ground screw. Attach the wire to this screw.

5. Run the cable to the detector, avoiding the brake and gas pedals.

This completes installation.

NOTE: The above instructions are for negative-ground electrical systems. More than 99% of all

vehicles are negative-ground. If you are unsure, ask your local car dealer. If your vehicle is

positive-ground, then you must connect the un-fused wire to the fuse box, and connect the fused

wire to a ground screw. "