Anybody using one of these radar detectors yet? Just got mine in, and to my dismay the power cord is a freaking 4-conductor telephone style cord instead of the traditional cord. I want to hardwire it into the power/ground wires of my overhead console. But instead of a simple power and ground wire, there's the 4-conductor wire.

My question, then, is whether anyone has figured out which wires on this cord are the ground and power? Any input is appreciated.

FYI - the other two wires have something to do with the fact that the plug that goes into the cigar lighter has a power -on indicator and a mute button. I'm sure that's what the other two wires are for. Just thought someone might have tackled this already, before I start hacking up my new cord.

 

I just bought the optional direct wire power cord...Cost like 15 bucks shipped to my house...

http://www.radar-source.com/bel-accessories.htm#o

 

Thanks, Jeff. It looks to me like that $30 part is nothing more than the stock cord with two wires pulled out with ring connectors on the end. I'm trying to figure out how to make the regular cord into a "direct wire" cord. It can't be anything more than figuring out which of the four wires are the ground and power, and hooking those up.

 

Yep....the one you need is 9.99... I just bought it because the detector was a Christmas present for someone else....

 

You don't need to buy another cord. Open the cigarette lighter plug, and remove everything from it. Only 2 of the 4 wires in the phone jack wire are used. 1 Power and 1 ground. You can still hook it up the power source in the overhead.

I did this with a standard phone cord, and then disected the stock plug on my Bel detector. They both work.

joe

 

I hardwired my Passport 8500, it's so great not having to turn it on and off every time I get in/out of the truck.



-Patrick

 

I tried this last night, and it didn't work. I opened the plug, and noticed that the power wire was red and the ground wire was green. I probed the wires in the overhead console, found power/ground, and proceeded to hack. I absolutely could not get the detector to work while hooked up that way, even after verifying that the console wires were providing the power and ground. The other two wires must have something to do with it that I can't figure out. Any suggestions? It's not like I can't afford the proper plug, I just thought it would be fun to figure this out myself.

 

Off-topic, but is there any radar that I can get away with using in Virginia? I dont speed that much, but I cannot afford another ticket.

 

Thats why I paid the 10 bucks for plug and play.... besides it was a Christmas gift too....

Direct Wire Cord
Direct wire cord for Solo 2 and 8500/7500/6800 and Beltronics RX55 and RX65. Provides a more discrete and more permanent mounting option for the ESCORT Solo 2 and 8500/7500/6800 and Beltronics RX55 and RX65.


$10.00 Qty:

 

Jeff-

I'm thinking I might have to fork out the dough for the new connector. But it's $30, not $10. It makes me want to make my own!

 

Uh....it was 10 plus a couple for shipping. I got the straight direct wire not the coiled one... No reason to use a coiled cord if your directly wiring the detector.. I think I know what I bought especially since I recieved it and it's hooked up on the car right now...



It's on this page... 6th item down...
http://www.radar-detectors.com/produ...rt/default.asp

 

I wired mine (whistler pro-73) straight from the fuse box under the driver side. There is a 30amp fuse, bottom right that is key on pwr only, I used it.


The wiring runs up the door molding easily. it was a much quicker job than using the overhead console which I tried too but failed.

Mine is an 01 so I'm not sure if there is a difference or not.

Good luck,
Rich

 

Jeff, you're right! I was looking at the "smart cord" for $30. Thanks a bunch!

 

This is the link I used some time ago to find the PIN outs for my Bel 8500 hookup. I used a 10" piece of standard 4-pin Phone cable, and spliced in. It has worked perfectly for over 2 years.

joe