saleen0101

Hello, I need help to hard wire my gauge and radar detector to my car instead of running it in the cigarette lighter. Is there a write up on how to tap into a fixed 12v to get power and shut off when i turn the car off?? Where is this locationof the wire I should tap into? Just want to see what others have done on here and what was the easiest method. Do I need to buy a kit from a parts store also?? I've never done something like this before and any tips would be great!

mustangcat

I wouldn't hard wire a radar detector, theres a high chance the ciggarette lighter adapter holds some sort of electricity regulating device.(At least thats my experience with ciggarette lighters..) And if you have a CD Player, thats usually my best bet for wiring to the Ignition-On cord. Check your manual to find out which cord you need to tap into.(Normally a yellow or red cord in my experience)

MustangMike2001

Run a wire from one of the unused slots in your fuse block.

saleen0101

Do I need anything else to run this wire to the fuse box? Like a hard wire kit?

Mjaga251

They've got those Add a fuse kits somwhere...probably any reputable auto store.

MU71L4710N

or you could hook a relay into the 12v line going to your cigarette lighter and have the relay wired to a switched 12v source which would make the cigarette lighter work only when the key is 'on'

Twiztid~Chassis

Depending on state laws, I would highly recommend NOT HARDWIRING your radar detector. Most cases if it is not connected when your pulled over for speeding, they cannot do jack to ya. But when its hardwired, they have proof that you were using it during the speeding process, and will , in most cases double your ticket fine! As for the gauge, I would also go along with the others here and buy a add a fuse kit, for your fuse block. They are relatively cheap, and easy to install, and can be bought basically through any standard automotive parts company. (what type of gauge are you wiring?) Some gauges (oil psi, boost, trans temp.) all need to be wired to a particular location on the vehicle, and most cases use a temp sensor mounted in the block, trans lines and so on...

Twizzy

saleen0101

Thanks for the help guys. I found this article and it has to do with runnning a wire to the fuse box and using fuse #32 which is the radio fuse. So is this a good idea?? Will the fuse protect the radar detector if it is on the "dead leg" of the fuse??

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=630112

TI302

never heard of fines being any different if your radar detector is hardwired or unplugged. in some states, if theyre legal the most the cop can do is bribe you to give it to him and he wont give you the ticket, and in states where they are illegal (say youre traveling through) even if the radar detector is locked say in the glovebox, and the power cord in the trunk, youre still gettin in trouble for it.