Valentine 1 hardwire install

[Eric91Z]

OK, got my new V1 yesterday and can't wait to get it in the car. I am going to use the hardwire method and run the connection from up by the rear view mirror to the fuse box area.

The V1 comes with it's own hardwire kit and wires. I was kind of surprised to see that the end connections on the power cable is more like a phone cable connection than the old barrel style electrical connection.

Anyway, there is a length of wire that I assume you splice in to a keyed power source. That bit connects to a "junction" box that the radar detector and an "accessory", if you want, plug in to. The junction box has a bit of velco on it so you can mount it under the dash somewhere. Then make your connections.

My question is, for those of you that have hardwired to a keyed source in the Marauder, what wire did you connect to? In the "old days" when I hardwired radar detectors in, I always had to cut the ends of the power cable and split it. Then I would wrap the hot lead around a blade of a keyed source fuse (like the radio) in the fuse box and gound the other lead. Always worked.

This one seems much easier and cleaner, just wondering what wire to look for to use as the power source. This has one of those connectors that you clamp on the wire and it cuts through the plastic to get it's connection - pretty slick. I think my remote start/alarm uses same type of connector.

Any input or pictures of what you did? What wire you used for the hot source, etc?

[Rider90]

I spliced mine in line with another fuse. I forgot which one, your owners manual says which ones are on when the ignition is hot. The V1 draws next to nothing at all.

[fastblackmerc]

Congrats on getting the BEST radar detector made!!!

I wired mine into the fuse box, just found a switched source and soldered it in. There is also a switched wire in the overhead console you can use. According to the V1 installation instructions the cables are plain telephone cable so you can custom make lenghts, just need the cable, ends and crimping tool. I mounted the V1 high on the windshield near the rearview mirror, ran the cable unde the headliner, down the drivers side "A" pillar to the fuse box. I then ran the cable for the remote to the right side of the steering column where I mounted the remote with velcro. PM me with your email address and I can send pics.

[wchain]

use the switched power for the Stereo.

[KillJoy]

use the switched power for the Stereo.

:up:

KillJoy

[Eric91Z]

use the switched power for the Stereo.

Down in the fuse block area? Should I just look for the wire coming out of the fuse block for that or does it run somewhere more convenient to get to?

[Architect]

You can wire directly to the review mirror wiring...
I forget which wire is hot, but you can check that easy enough...
My "Valentine" works great...you will really enjoy yours...
Architect

[Eric91Z]

You can wire directly to the review mirror wiring...
I forget which wire is hot, but you can check that easy enough...
My "Valentine" works great...you will really enjoy yours...
Architect

I do not have the unit and all the pieces in front of me, but the instructions on the V1 website do note that there is a ground wire that needs to be screwed to metal. Those of you that have gotten your power from the rear view mirror or overhead console, where did you ground at? The screw holding the console up? And all that wire and the junction box fit in the console, too?

[Eric91Z]

Got the V1 installed last night after work. Mounted it right to the right of the rear view mirror. Passenger can actually still put the visor down if need be. Ended up running the cable in the headliner, down the A-piller, to the driver's side kick panel.

Took me longer than it might have others. I ended up removing the a-pillar, kick panel, kick plate on door sill, and the plastic and metal trim pieces under the steering column. I like to have as much room as possible to work with. Then dropped the fuse box and found a switched power wire coming out the back. Spliced into that with the supplied connector. Also, already had a screw mounted ground for the alarm/remote start right there so I used that. The sticky part of the velcro backing on the junction box would not stick to anything behind the kick panel so it is tucked behind some other wires to hold it in place.

Tried it and everything works beautifully. From the outside looking in all you can see are the suction cups on the inside of the window. It sits right up in that little area where the "dot matrix" stuff at the top of the windshield turns back up at the side of the rear view mirror. Just like it was made to go there. And when I remove the unit the only thing left is the mounting piece and I can tuck what little while goes to the unit itself up out of the way. And it looks to have a good line of sight out the back window, too.

Question for those of you that have it hardwired: do you leave the power on the unit itself on all the time and just let the switched power be your on off? Or do you manually turn the unit off before turning the car off and on after starting the car? In the past, with my Bel's, I have always just left the power on the unit on and used the switched source as the on/off switch.

Couple of nice features I noticed or like in my couple of hours of use so far:

1) I love the direction arrows and had a chance to verify they work. Indicator started out coming from ahead and then moved to the side and sure enough I was coming up on and passed a cop to my left.
2) I like the multi-direction bogey indicator with the direction of highest threat flashing. Had it pointing front and back with the back way flashing.
3) I like the auto-dimming display. It was nice and bright when I was driving during the day. Got back in the car after dark and the display was automatically dimmer than before - perfect for night time driving.
4) I like the adjustable mute volume. You can set the "normal" volume level and then the mute volume level separately. That way when you push the button for mute it can be "muted" to whatever volume you want.
5) Lastly, I was surprised at how cleanly it looks installed. I was prepared to think it was going to be big and bulky looking up there, especially after the sleek Bel's I have had and seeing the V1 in friend's cars. But it looks right at home and doesn't stick out.


So far quite pleased and the hardwire install was well thought out by the company and I like the quality of the parts supplied. Plus, with the hardwire and windshield mount, I still have the cigarette lighter adapter, coiled power wire, and visor mount bracket so I can move it between vehicles if/when I finally get a "daily driver". Althought I think I would probably order another windshield mount and hardwire kit and do the same in the daily driver.

Good reports so far. And now I will have it in the car for the trip to Michigan in April. I figure about 1300 miles round trip, mostly highway, will be a good test for it.

[fastblackmerc]

I use the switched power to turn it on/off. I agree with you on 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
Post your experience(s) after your trip.

[04MEMA]

How 'bout some pics?

[Eric91Z]

How 'bout some pics?

I will get some pictures as soon as the weather gets better. We have had 3 or so short hail storms today - pea size or smaller and now rain and I am tired of myself and the car being out in it. Tomorrow is supposed to be rain turning to ice with possibilty of 1.5-3" of ice then turning to snow tomorrow night and Sunday. So it may be early next week....

[04MEMA]

Back in the day I had a detector, I don't remember the brand. But the main body of the detector got mounted outside - like in the grill area with a clear shot forward and then there was a little display panel that mounted inside the car - anywhere you wanted to put it. Obviously the idea was to not let police know you had a detector. I'm assuming that the setup ya'll are talking about allows this? I have seen many ads for the V1 but they never show anything except for the traditional looking detector. Maybe I'll vist there website.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Mike M]

I own several of these and have learned that once you go Valentine you can never go back to a regular radar detector again. The newest one I bought for my wife actually went bad after 4 months, it just kept going off like I was next to radar. I sent it back and no questions asked sent me a new one.
I never turn it on or off as it is keyed to work with the ignition.

[fastblackmerc]

Back in the day I had a detector, I don't remember the brand. But the main body of the detector got mounted outside - like in the grill area with a clear shot forward and then there was a little display panel that mounted inside the car - anywhere you wanted to put it. Obviously the idea was to not let police know you had a detector. I'm assuming that the setup ya'll are talking about allows this? I have seen many ads for the V1 but they never show anything except for the traditional looking detector. Maybe I'll vist there website.

Thanks,
Jeff
The V1 has an optional remote you can purchase, when connected the detector's readout is displayed on the remote, the main unit stay's dark. PM me and I'll send you some pics of my V1 install.

[fastblackmerc]

I own several of these and have learned that once you go Valentine you can never go back to a regular radar detector again. The newest one I bought for my wife actually went bad after 4 months, it just kept going off like I was next to radar. I sent it back and no questions asked sent me a new one.
I never turn it on or off as it is keyed to work with the ignition.

I agree.... once you've had a V1 you'll never go back. :up:

[Eric91Z]

I will get some pictures as soon as the weather gets better. We have had 3 or so short hail storms today - pea size or smaller and now rain and I am tired of myself and the car being out in it. Tomorrow is supposed to be rain turning to ice with possibilty of 1.5-3" of ice then turning to snow tomorrow night and Sunday. So it may be early next week....

Sorry no pictures yet. It rained/hailed all night Friday night and in to Saturday. That then turned to freezing raing which left about 1/2"-1" of ice on everything which then turned to snow Saturday night and left about 7" on top of the ice by Sunday afternoon. Luckily the temps haven't been too cold so the main streets are not too bad today, but the car never left the garage all weekend.

I will try and get some pictures on night after work and get them posted up. We are supposed to have another storm coming on Thursday with more freezing rain and snow.

[PRCARGUY]

I agree.... once you've had a V1 you'll never go back. :up:
Aint't that truth! :bows: Best detector there is.:banana2:Have used them for over 10 years.:D :D :D

[Eric91Z]

OK, here are a couple pictures. Sorry for the dirty window, but the weather has not been good around here.


Picture from outside:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/Picture027.jpg


Picture 1 from inside:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/Picture029.jpg

Picture 2 from the inside:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/5/Picture030.jpg


Still liking the unit. A lot lose false "bogies" in the Advanced Learn mode, but still picks up some stuff. Then again, we have a lot of places for it to pick up signals from. But it definitely doesn't miss the cops.