Everything Electrical & Electronic Have an electrical problem? Lighting, Alternators, gauges, DIC, HUD, etc? Post it here. Please post Audio problems in the Audio forum, and Engine control problems in the appropriate Mechanical forum for your year.

How to toggle a radar detector?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-08-2004, 09:33 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
Twister97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Twister97 is on a distinguished road
Default How to toggle a radar detector?

I know its a lame question, but I got a radar detector that I want to hook up to the car, then have a toggle swtich for it, instead of using the cig lighter. How can I do this? I am not too savy with vehicles electrical systems.
Old 06-08-2004, 09:37 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Damemorder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Texarkana, Texas
Posts: 6,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Damemorder is on a distinguished road
Default

You hook the ground up like your would for a stereo, tap into the head unit power or something else nice for it, take the power to a switch, then from the switch to the unit.

It'* a much better idea to make a switched cigarette plug than to modify whatever you bought, those warranty people don't understand how much better a perminant install looks.
Old 06-08-2004, 09:40 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
Twister97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Twister97 is on a distinguished road
Default

A switched cigarate plug? Is that difficult? Is there a way to plug a wire into the fuse box for power?
Old 06-08-2004, 09:45 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
givemebreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: RI
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
givemebreak is on a distinguished road
Default

I always get a straight cord...usually from radio crap...strip the negative end...connect to ground (screw or bolt that you can loosen and retighten that connects to chassis ground). Strip the positive end.....and fold the wires under the blade of a fuse in the fuse compartment....just find one that shuts off with the key.

Alot of this helps if you have a volt meter...you can check for power and ground easier...
a cheap one will do...
Old 06-08-2004, 09:48 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Thread Starter
 
Twister97's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Twister97 is on a distinguished road
Default

Like a voltmeter from walmart or something, for 5 bucks?

So, I can simply wrap the wire around the fuse, then plug the fuse back in? What accessory do you use and what gauge of wire should be safe? What about fuses so I dont blow a short or something?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Terran
Audio (and aftermarket electronics)
14
01-25-2004 07:19 PM
GTP2SSEi
Audio (and aftermarket electronics)
22
01-15-2004 11:45 AM
Allmachtige
1992-1999
5
10-23-2003 05:20 PM
GTP2SSEi
General GM Chat
1
08-13-2003 08:17 AM
willwren
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
15
11-29-2002 05:14 PM



Quick Reply: How to toggle a radar detector?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:50 AM.