Hard Wiring Radar Detector to Power

Flippercon

Flippercon

Well-Known Member
1,697
1,184
Virginia Beach, VA
Vehicle Model
Civic Si
Body Style
Coupe
Ok I have spliced my r11 jack from my radar detector and need a place to tap into. I tried the map lights but they are not on a constant power source. Has anyone hard wired a radar detector in or know where I can get consistent power from above the rear view mirror? The dome light is a pretty long run and I am trying to avoid taking the headliner that far out.
 
I heard it only works for the 2006-2008 models, not the 2009-2011. I have the same setup (2007 Si).
 
I am determined to get this done. When I do there will be a DIY too. I just need to figure out which wire is the power to the sunroof. Then I can just ground to the screws that are the grounds for the whole assembly.
 
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There's going to be a lot of voltage testings. Lol. I tried doing this on my dad's 2011 Pilot, but no dice.
 
Dar-Dar said:
There's going to be a lot of voltage testings. Lol. I tried doing this on my dad's 2011 Pilot, but no dice.
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Damn that makes me think I should just run it down to the fuse panel. I don't want to mess with the pillar with the airbags. What to do?? :confuzzled: Where are all the electrical gurus at? I challenge you!
 
Well I ended up giving up on using the map lights as a power source. I ended up running a power cord across the headliner and down the pillar into the fuse panel. I am going to install another switch like my amp kill switch but need to pick a color. I already have red so blue, green, white, or yellow?
 
Just wondering, are you going to move out of Virginia? Or are you only going to turn it on when out of state? Or is there something I'm missing? Will it be out of sight, since they are still illegal even if you aren't using it?
 
Monk said:
Just wondering, are you going to move out of Virginia? Or are you only going to turn it on when out of state? Or is there something I'm missing? Will it be out of sight, since they are still illegal even if you aren't using it?
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Here is the thing, in Va they are illegal other then here D.C is the only other place in the US that does not allow them. Funny thing is the radar detector will get you a ticket of around $100 in VA with no points. They can take the radar detector from you but can not destroy it. You have to give a written request to get it back. They will then mail it to you at your expense. I have asked a few local cops and local users of radar about this. The cops have stated that if it has a serial number they will not take it. So if I weigh a $167 speeding ticket for 72 in a 55 plus points and my insurance goes up., or I use a radar to avoid speeding tickets. I think I will take the radar ticket any day. I am not using this to speed around town and cause havoc but as a tool the rest of america uses. I am not promoting speeding or the use of Radars in Va.
 
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Flippercon said:
Here is the thing, in Va they are illegal other then here D.C is the only other place in the US that does not allow them. Funny thing is the radar detector will get you a ticket of around $100 in VA with no points. They can take the radar detector from you but can not destroy it. You have to give a written request to get it back. They will then mail it to you at your expense. I have asked a few local cops and local users of radar about this. The cops have stated that if it has a serial number they will not take it. So if I weigh a $167 speeding ticket for 72 in a 55 plus points and my insurance goes up., or I use a radar to avoid speeding tickets. I think I will take the radar ticket any day. I am not using this to speed around town and cause havoc but as a tool the rest of america uses. I am not promoting speeding or the use of Radars in Va.
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I'm not asking because I think it's wrong to break the States rules(just so we understand each other). I'm just wanting to know(which you pretty much explained just now), for myself what's the in's and out's of having one(and using it) here.
Two more questions,(1) don't the LEO's have a devise that can tell if you're using one, or is seeing it in the car the only way they know if you have one? So if it was hidden, could they tell if you had one? (2) If they "can" tell that one is being used without seeing it, is hard wiring a good way to go if they can take it out of the car? Or does your hard wire allow for unplugging the unit to keep out of sight from LEO's and thieves, sun, etc. ?
 
Monk said:
I'm not asking because I think it's wrong to break the States rules(just so we understand each other). I'm just wanting to know(which you pretty much explained just now), for myself what's the in's and out's of having one(and using it) here.
Two more questions,(1) don't the LEO's have a devise that can tell if you're using one, or is seeing it in the car the only way they know if you have one? So if it was hidden, could they tell if you had one? (2) If they "can" tell that one is being used without seeing it, is hard wiring a good way to go if they can take it out of the car? Or does your hard wire allow for unplugging the unit to keep out of sight from LEO's and thieves, sun, etc. ?
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Yes they have Radar detector detectors, but they have only so many of those state wide. From what I have heard they are pretty pricey. They also have technology now that can not be detected (until they upgrade). It's a never ending battle with the technology. The government will find new technology to detect either speed or detectors, and soon after a new detector that can not be detected or a detector that can detect those devices. Now LIDAR is something that is hard to get away from so common sense plays a big factor in the whole equation. As for my power cable its just a regular R11 jack (telephone cord). So if I need to unplug it and hide it It's a snap release power cord and push button release from windshield mount. You can also just power off the radar detector and it can not be detected. Here is the code http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000 cod 46.2-1079 . I know the consequences to having and using one in the state of VA I just don't want some user to see this and say "flippercon said it was ok". I have looked this up over and over and have weighed the pros and cons, If you or anyone in VA or D.C. is interested in using Radar I suggest to do a little research. I will answer questions if I know them and or will find the answer for you. Just a couple of words to cover my rear end. As far as concealment I have it behind the black dot matrix above the rear view mirror. Some detectors have stealth settings as well (brightness and audible alerts) and can be changed with a push of a button. The one I have even has a headphone jack for use on motorcycles.
 
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Thx, very informative post, I'll go on record as saying, I can not see anything you said that would infer you said it is ok to do this.
 
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