Can I Hook My Radar Detector Directly To The Fuse Panel?

georgerosen06 · May 12, 2008

Hello everyone! just sitting here looking at what I could do to my truck and I saw a couple things about people having there radar detectors wired directly into there fuse panels. Is there any way I could do this or am i stuck with putting it in the cigarette lighter

ndhonor · May 12, 2008

Hello everyone! just sitting here looking at what I could do to my truck and I saw a couple things about people having there radar detectors wired directly into there fuse panels. Is there any way I could do this or am i stuck with putting it in the cigarette lighter

Yes you can. Just grab a fuse tap and run your power wire off of that fuse. The only thing to look for is to see which fuse is on when you would want your radar on. Other than that just run the wire and your done.

georgerosen06 · May 12, 2008

sweet! now...what is a fuse tap and which one would a power wire be for my radar detector?

Bostonsfavson · May 12, 2008

Do you have a powered (compass, temperature, etc.) rearview mirror George? That's even easier.

em6788 · May 12, 2008

you don't even need to do that

just find a fuse that runs when the truck runs

ingition

pull the fuse wrap the red wire around one leg of the fuse and stick it back in

then ground out the white wire

done

dsmazz · May 12, 2008

you don't even need to do that
just find a fuse that runs when the truck runs

ingition

pull the fuse wrap the red wire around one leg of the fuse and stick it back in

then ground out the white wire

done

Lincoln30 · May 12, 2008

I hate using fuse taps on the type of fuse this truck uses. I prefer to use a lug connector in one of the unused switched spades inside the relay box on the firewall just to the left of the brake pedal (lower right corner has switched power, constant power). This produces a much more reliable connection and it's easier to get to.

omegafiler · May 12, 2008

If you're going to hardwire, might as well do it right. Either use one of the add-a-fuse kits that are all over the place, such as at radarroy.com. Or as I did, just pickup a cheap cable from http://invisicord.com. It's basically an RJ-11 cable with a metal probe at the end that allows you to easily slide it into the power connector at the back of your rear-view mirror (if powered). They even have diagrams that tell you which wires to use so you don't have to break out the volt-meter.

Or, just make one yourself... it is a rather basic design. I'm just lazy and found ordering one already ready to go was the best route.

chevylobo · May 12, 2008

heres a few diffrent fuse taps made by bussmann heres one for 10 amp max http://www.bussmann.com/images/3c2dce34-cf...886ccd13aad.JPG

and heres two that are more basic

http://www.bussmann.com/images/06efc079-19...4cbf5fe3e31.JPG

http://www.bussmann.com/images/1c4adfe6-ef...d727a44c382.JPG

autozone or advanced auto should carry them

Z_71_steve · May 12, 2008

just tap directly into a fuse... you dont need any add ons or anything i did it in my silvy 2 years ago... clicks on with the ignitionfuse and i never have to touch the radar detector... plus theres no more wires... if you'd like pics i'll get some... i have the same exact truck as you...

justmy .02 tho...

steve

TheNikeMan · May 13, 2008

just tap directly into a fuse... you dont need any add ons or anything i did it in my silvy 2 years ago... clicks on with the ignitionfuse and i never have to touch the radar detector... plus theres no more wires... if you'd like pics i'll get some... i have the same exact truck as you...

justmy .02 tho...

steve

Please post pics if you can, thanks!

georgerosen06 · May 13, 2008

Do you have a powered (compass, temperature, etc.) rearview mirror George? That's even easier.

yeah i do! how do i go about doing this now?

LAGA · May 13, 2008

Do you have a powered (compass, temperature, etc.) rearview mirror George? That's even easier.

yeah i do! how do i go about doing this now?

Take apart the upper console and find the pink wire. It is powered with the ignition key and will shut off when you shut the truck off. With my 07 all the fuses are powered on even with the key off. This is how I wired my Escort.

Wingnut · May 13, 2008

Do you have a powered (compass, temperature, etc.) rearview mirror George? That's even easier.

yeah i do! how do i go about doing this now?

Take apart the upper console and find the pink wire. It is powered with the ignition key and will shut off when you shut the truck off. With my 07 all the fuses are powered on even with the key off. This is how I wired my Escort.

Or he could just plug it into the back of the mirror like the rest of us