Under mirror mount and hardwire radar detector
Under mirror mount and hardwire radar detector I have a 2002 Trans Am with a Uniden R1 radar detector. I'm doing some electrical work to the car this winter, so I figured I would hardwire the radar detector. For my truck (2018 Sierra), I bought a hardwire kit that attached to my On-star/garage/dome light area, so it was easy install.
For the Trans Am, can I tap into the wires that go to the lights under the rear view mirror, or should I run a wire down to the dash and pick up a power source there? I'm not sure how much current the mirror light wires can handle, but if I switch them to LED would that help? Here are the two mounts I'm currently looking at, same mount just different wiring included...
https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-Mirror-Bracket-3001109/dp/B0788XRBTV/
https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-Mirror-Bracket-3001209/dp/B0788W1NC6/
Thanks for any help!
For the Trans Am, can I tap into the wires that go to the lights under the rear view mirror, or should I run a wire down to the dash and pick up a power source there? I'm not sure how much current the mirror light wires can handle, but if I switch them to LED would that help? Here are the two mounts I'm currently looking at, same mount just different wiring included...
https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-Mirror-Bracket-3001109/dp/B0788XRBTV/
https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-Mirror-Bracket-3001209/dp/B0788W1NC6/
Thanks for any help!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The map lights in the mirror get constant power which means your detector would always be on unless you turn it on and off manually. Running a power wire down the left A pillar to the fuse panel would allow you to have the detector go on and off with the ignition. You can use the black wire at the mirror for ground.
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 208
Likes: 153
From: Pasadena, MD.
The map lights in the mirror get constant power which means your detector would always be on unless you turn it on and off manually. Running a power wire down the left A pillar to the fuse panel would allow you to have the detector go on and off with the ignition. You can use the black wire at the mirror for ground.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The detector will turn off when power is disconnected which is the way most hardwire kits work... both Uniden R7 detectors I have work that way with their mirror wiring - one Mustang and one Jeep. Unfortunately, f-bodies control their courtesy lights by having the BCM manage the ground side rather than the power side which leaves the power active all the time. There is a "battery saver" feature which makes the BCM "go to sleep" after some time, but it's not something I would rely on.
Some detectors have an option to recognize the change in voltage between the car being off or running and can use that to turn the detector on and off, but I don't know if the A1 has that capability.
Some detectors have an option to recognize the change in voltage between the car being off or running and can use that to turn the detector on and off, but I don't know if the A1 has that capability.
