I'm getting all the wiring straight in the new car.. I have a Cobra radar detector I'd like to hard wire in. I had it wired to the cig lighter in my old '96, but I'm sure this isn't the best way to do it.. also, it had the disadvantage of being on all the time.. which is extremely annoying when you have radar signals moving around while your car is parked.

What wires can I tap to hard-wire my radar detector in so (a: it has enough power to run it efficiently) it turns on when the car turns on?

Also, I'd like to get a 3rd (LS1s have 2 on the console) power outlet inside the console for my phone to charge.. at least I'm looking into it. How difficult would this be.. and honestly, is it worth the effort? Thanks in advance, guys.

 

i just tapped into the fuse box.......there is a spare fuse you can use......and i put a switch inline ...so i can turn the radar detector on or offf whenever i want.........but it aslo shuts off when the car is off. works pretty good for me.

 

Is the spare fuse labeled spare? If not, which one is it? Thanks!

 

actually i tapped into the cigarette lighter accessories fuse.....there is a little door that hides your fuses ...its held on by velcro.....take it off and look for the appropriate fuse.......just strip your wire....pull the fuse out stick the wire in.....then stick the fuse in behind it ...works great......when the car is off the detector is off. like i said i put an inline switch for it also.....since when you go through places where the detector goes off unnecessarily I.E. buisness alarms,,......electronic road signs......i just flip it off, then when im speeding illegally, i flip it on

 

They also make fuses where you can tap a wire into them. Its a little more safe/secure than just sticking the wire behind the fuse and jamming the fuse in there. You can get them at most auto or electronic stores.

 

lt1 power ......yeah thats true but i was just too lazy ..........

 

into the cigarette lighter...

Worked, but as you stated, it was annoying that it was ALWAYS on.

When I did some radio work I put it on the "accessory" circuit, and bingo... It now turns on/off w/ the car.

I just turn the volume down when I'm driving around town (or other known areas).

One of the best "mods" I've done...

jt

 

another vote for accessory power from fuse box. on an off with the ignition.

 

Wire into the fuse box. The detector only turns on with the key.

 

Do the LS1s have the auxilary power leads under the center console like the LT1s have? I have my V1 hardwired into this power lead. There are 3 wires that "dead end," the ground, a hot wire, and a wire that is hot only when the key is on.