Hard-wiring a radar detector

[TurboTer]

I want to do this instead of plugging it into the cig lighter. Anyone know how this is done? There are only two wires (one black, the other black with a white stripe), so would one go to a ground, while the other to the power ACC or something fuse?

 

[Shane]

I would assume that the black wire goes to ground and the white wire goes to ACC.

 

[gn85]

Do you have a cigarette lighter plug for the radar detector now? If so, simply trace the wires back with a continuity/voltmeter. Whatever wire has cont. to the outside contact is ground. Whatever wire has contact to the center post is hot.

Also, make sure that it is truly twelve volts coming thru and it hasn't been reduced by the cigarette lighter plug. If that's the case then you may have to rig up something so you are not running too much voltage. Perhaps one of these female ends to cigarette lighters that you can buy at most parts stores.

Lastly, you'll probably want to wire it to a circuit in the car that is hot only when in the 'ON' position. No real need to have your radar detector on when you have the key in the 'ACC' position (like sitting still and just listening to the radio).

HTH