I have the change to buy the Valentine 1...but rather than have that ugly cord hang into the cig lighter, I want to hardwire it into the ceiling console-whatever it's called. I have seen pictures and instruction but I did a search and came up short. Any info would be great.

Thanks guys

 

Hardwiring is fine but you can always just hide the wire under the plastic molding around the passenger side door. Leave enough wire to reach from the top of the molding to the inboard end of the passenger side sun visor, where you can mount your V-1. You can then thread the other end out of the bottom part of the molding close to the bottom of your dash, through the back of the glove box, along the bottom inside of the dash and then up along the lower dash seam to the plug-in port.

That's how I've used mine for the past four years and it works fine. In fact, I've used the same procedure on a couple of my vehicles.

My Valentine has also worked great during this time. I bought it at the same time I bought my '99 Lightning (July 3, 1999) and then sent it back to the factory for an upgrade about a year ago. That's a nice feature that all V-1's have. Whenever any significant change is made you can always send your unit into the factory for an upgrade for less than half the cost of a new one. They're the best! Also, a few months ago I lost a couple of small parts and the fuse to the cig lighter plug and they sent me new parts at no cost.

You made a wise decision when you bought the Valentine One.

Mike

 

I have a V1 (is there any other) Hardwired to a "keyed" power
wire in my overhead console. The cord for the unit goes inside the tube supplying power to the automatic dimming R/V mirror, to the V1 mounted just below the mirror. The Remote module is also mounted inside the O/H console as well.

Then a lead goes across the top, under the headliner, down the a-pillar inside the dash to my REMOTE READOUT, doublefaced taped between the speedo and tach, under the top of the gauge cluster 1/2 inch in from the front edge.

WHY would anyone want to have to take your eyes off the road to look up to the mirror area to see the reading. That is just as bad as looking at the detector itself, maybe even worse.

I just drop my eyes two inches, to the guage cluster to check out the reading, as the bird dog barks.

 

Do quick search for "Madhouse" and "hard wiring", he wrote a picture filled one on the Escort 8500...which, other then brand, would be the same to hardwire.

Daniel

 

This was info I gleened off the boards awhile back. It is the wire codes on the plug connector you find in the overhead console.
Pretty self explanatory which wires to use. Just need to open the console to get to the plug and tap into the two correct wires. It is very easy to test for power on with key and ground wire if you have an idea where to start. See below.. OH, I suggest you incorporate an inline fuse in your wiring of the Val 1 or any other detector. You can buy an inline connector with fuse from Valentine 1 for about $13.00..

This is plug # C915
It has the following wires:
# 57 - black - Ground connection
# 767 - Light Blue w/ orange stripe - connect to one side of ambient temp sensor
# 470 - Pink w/ black stripe - connects to other side of ambient temp sensor
# 875 - Black w/ light blue stripe - ground connection (my '01 L did not have this ground)
# 19 - Light Blue w/ red stripe - instrument illumination circuit
# 294 - White w/ light blue - power wire (hot in run position)
# 679 - Gray w/ black stripe - connects to central junction box
There are a few other wires listed that I'm not sure they are there as some of these devices do not exist on an L.
# 53 - Black w/ light blue stripe - connect to one side of courtesy lamps
# 705 - Light green w/ white stripe - connect to other side of courtesy lamps
# 1173, # 1174, & # 1175 connect to the "roof opening panel"