ZL1 Valentine 1 Hardwire?

[Janet]

We want to hardwire the V1 radar detector. In the DIY section there is a very good thread, but it is fairly old (2009). Does anyone know if the ZL1 wiring is different in the areas we will be using?

Would one of our lurking GM engineers jump in here please???
Thanks, Janet

[ZO6 Bryan]

I used one of these. Much easier than wiring all the way to the fuse box.
http://www.invisicord.com/index.html

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Janet

We want to hardwire the V1 radar detector. In the DIY section there is a very good thread, but it is fairly old (2009). Does anyone know if the ZL1 wiring is different in the areas we will be using?

Would one of our lurking GM engineers jump in here please???
Thanks, Janet

The overhead console is the same wiring, so it'll work.

[Janet]

Thanks guys

Janet

[monstertodd]

could also try tapping off of the side fuse panel. Can't be that much different.

[Nightspore68]

Janet,
What did you decide to do?
In my SS I had wired it to the fuse box and clipped the detector onto the visor, but that makes it so you can't use the visor. I was hoping for a better solution.

[Nightspore68]

Originally Posted by ZO6 Bryan

I used one of these. Much easier than wiring all the way to the fuse box.
http://www.invisicord.com/index.html

So how is your detector mounted? Suction cups? Does it stay in place?

[ZO6 Bryan]

Originally Posted by Nightspore68

So how is your detector mounted? Suction cups? Does it stay in place?

Yes suction cups right next to the rear view mirror. Stays in place fine. I have all my cars wired the same way so I can just grab the V1 and plug it in depending on what I drive that day.

[brucedd]

Mine is a Escort, but is mounted using a mirror-mount. The invisi-cord does not work on the ZL1 as there is only "always on" power there, nothing tied to ignition, so if you choose to use that, you have to remember to turn off the detector or risk slowly draining your battery.

We tapped into the side dash fuse box, tucked the wire in the moulding, spliced in the invisi-cord and have a nice, neat, custom looking installation that powers on with ignition.

[Nightspore68]

There was a nice benefit to using the visor mount - I could leave the detector in the car at all times. You couldn't tell from the outside that it was there (once the wiring to the fuse box was hidden), so I just left it in the car. But every now and again I had to retuck the wire into the molding. And of course I couldn't use the visor.

The mirror mount looks pretty conspicuous. I'm assuming you have to remove it every time you get out of the car?

[brucedd]

Originally Posted by Nightspore68

There was a nice benefit to using the visor mount - I could leave the detector in the car at all times. You couldn't tell from the outside that it was there (once the wiring to the fuse box was hidden), so I just left it in the car. But every now and again I had to retuck the wire into the molding. And of course I couldn't use the visor.

The mirror mount looks pretty conspicuous. I'm assuming you have to remove it every time you get out of the car?

No, but I typically am not leaving the car anywhere long or the slightest bit risky. Not SO conspicuous because there is no curley wire to lighter power, but yes it is clearly visible if you look.

[fee5fofum]

Read this DYI on "Hardwiring a V1 or any Radar Detector" here :

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/v1install.html


If you need a Rear view mirror mount and hardwires / mirror taps , I got mine from here :

http://www.blendmount.com/index.html

Hope this helps !