Mirror Tap for Radar Detector
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From: The Sunshine State
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Mirror Tap for Radar Detector
I just purchased an Escort 9500ix and the new Blendmount holder for my 2004 vert. I have the whacky mirror mount, so Blendmount recently came out with a holder for this model.
Anyway, I need to install the Mirror Tap Power Cord and per the directions, I need to use a voltmeter to locate the power and the ground. I visited a local hardware store today and have no idea which one to buy so I thought I would ask the forum.
Apparently, I need one that provides both an audio response to confirm grounded wires. I also need one that I can put into "VDC" mode to measure DC volts.
Any recommendations or guidance from someone who has performed this work?
Thanks!
Anyway, I need to install the Mirror Tap Power Cord and per the directions, I need to use a voltmeter to locate the power and the ground. I visited a local hardware store today and have no idea which one to buy so I thought I would ask the forum.
Apparently, I need one that provides both an audio response to confirm grounded wires. I also need one that I can put into "VDC" mode to measure DC volts.
Any recommendations or guidance from someone who has performed this work?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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You don't need a fancy voltmeter that has tone. Any decent multimeter would work. Many years ago, I bought a Sperry brand digital multimeter from Home Depot, it measures volts AC and DC and ohms of resistance. It works just fine for me, even though it doesn't make a sound.
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As to the blendmount, below is the link to the new mount for my Escort 9500ix which works with my 2004 mirror and the larger windshield attachment. They have a different one if you have a Passport. Last time I checked in 2013 it wasn't available so I guess they must have recently added it.
http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...005-p1143.aspx
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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Thanks. The voltage meter I purchased yesterday can test for AC volts, DC volts, Resistance and Batteries. It's a 4-function, 14-range digital multi-meter. I hope it works, but step one of the Mirror tap Power Cord instructions is to set the voltmeter to the "continuity setting" which should beep if I tough the red and black probes together indicating they are shorted. I turned the unit on and did not get a beep or any other type of digital readout or alert when I touched the red and black probes together so I hope this works. I also don't see a "continuity setting" on the unit. Any ideas?
As to the blendmount, below is the link to the new mount for my Escort 9500ix which works with my 2004 mirror and the larger windshield attachment. They have a different one if you have a Passport. Last time I checked in 2013 it wasn't available so I guess they must have recently added it.
http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...005-p1143.aspx
As to the blendmount, below is the link to the new mount for my Escort 9500ix which works with my 2004 mirror and the larger windshield attachment. They have a different one if you have a Passport. Last time I checked in 2013 it wasn't available so I guess they must have recently added it.
http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...005-p1143.aspx
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Ware MASS
This has become over the years such a picky subject, because everyone wants something different. In my situation, I didn't want a lanky cord all over the place and wanted something that was out of the way of my seeing out the windshield.
I found the tiniest wire sold online about 8 inches long and the two ends push in and share two connections on the back of the rearview mirror (I have a convertible - I have power there for the interior lights).
I plugged that wire into my 9500, secured it behind rearview mirror with the two cup mount that came with my detector, and voila, for the first time, a project I did resolved all of my wishes. I don't know if you have power to your rearview mirror, but man, it really is the way to go.
I found the tiniest wire sold online about 8 inches long and the two ends push in and share two connections on the back of the rearview mirror (I have a convertible - I have power there for the interior lights).
I plugged that wire into my 9500, secured it behind rearview mirror with the two cup mount that came with my detector, and voila, for the first time, a project I did resolved all of my wishes. I don't know if you have power to your rearview mirror, but man, it really is the way to go.
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Testing for continuity is basically the same as testing for resistance. Set your meter to test for ohms, touch one probe to one end of the wire and the other probe to the other end. The meter will tell you whether you have continuity. If the meter doesn't move, then you have a break and don't have continuity. If the meter shows some amount of resistance, then you do. The amount of resistance is really irrelevant if all you're testing for is continuity, as the amount of resistance in a wire is determined by its length and gauge.
I've been working at this project for two hours and I'm taking a break due to frustration. The Mirror Tap Power Cord (MTPC) instructions tell me that I need to try inserting the MTPC prong on all four sides of the rectangular port to determine the best wedge fit. I'm not supposed to use excessive force in trying to insert the prongs. My issue, is I cannot get them to connect and stay inserted. When I feel I have them wedged in, I try hooking up the RJ11 connector to the Escort RD and it doesn't power on. It does power on with the cigaratte lighter RJ11 jack and the mirror courtesy lights turn on when I reinstall the molex plug, so everything is working except when I try to power the radar detector via the MTPC.
Any help or tips regarding this installation is appreciated.
Last edited by MSG C5; Nov 9, 2014 at 02:42 PM.
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I used a little force to get mine to stay in. Just don't push too hard as to where the thing starts to bend. Also try to wiggle it while pushing it into the connector.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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So does the new mirror tap wire wedge into the same connector that the existing wire is connected into? I noticed that the mirror tap wire is more of a flat wire so I'm assuming that's the case.