C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Power for Radar Detector

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-15-2013, 09:15 AM
  #1  
JerryU
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Support Corvetteforum!
Thread Starter
 
JerryU's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,485
Received 9,619 Likes on 6,625 Posts

Default Power for Radar Detector

Found what I thought would be a good spot to get power for my Passport Max, the passenger vanity mirror. Removed the passenger sunshade (3 screws) and wired the passport direct wire cord to the wires going to the mirror lights. Checked and double checked the connections, all were correct and still are. There are 12 volts to the proper pin (and nowhere else!) and the ground is fine as well. However all was fine, the lights came on, which is the same circuit as the reading lights. I know that because within 2 seconds of plugging the phone connector into the Passport Max, the circuit is opened! It’s not a fuse since in about 5 minutes it comes back on. However repeated the process and it switches off, then on in about 5 minutes. Obviously a circuit breaker but there are no shorts! Also the radar detector has only a 2 amp fuse, which is not blown. In fact the drivers mirror lights were off when I tried to plug in the connector and it no doubt pulls more than 2 amps! The Passport Max works fine when used with the supplied Smart Cord plugged into the receptacle on the console! Called Escort Techs and my dealers service folks-so far no answers.
Does anyone know how to access the rear fuse panel? Where is it? Have lifted the rear matt and only have found the battery. Not easy to lift anymore? Any thoughts?

Last edited by JerryU; 10-15-2013 at 11:13 PM.
Old 10-15-2013, 09:50 AM
  #2  
-CM-
Melting Slicks
 
-CM-'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: . Wyoming .
Posts: 2,867
Received 64 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

I didn't look myself, but according to the manual:

Rear Compartment Fuse Block

The rear compartment fuse block is
in the rear of the vehicle, under the
load floor. Lift the carpet and access
door in the center of the load floor to
access the fuses.
Old 10-15-2013, 10:13 AM
  #3  
LT1xL82
Drifting
 
LT1xL82's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,259
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
Default

I would not assume the vanity light draws at least 2 amps. The newer lighting technology gets a heck of a lot of light out of very little power.
Old 10-15-2013, 10:25 AM
  #4  
JerryU
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Support Corvetteforum!
Thread Starter
 
JerryU's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,485
Received 9,619 Likes on 6,625 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by LT1xL82
I would not assume the vanity light draws at least 2 amps. The newer lighting technology gets a heck of a lot of light out of very little power.
You could be right but 2 amps X 12 volts is only 24 watts for 2 lights, or 12 watts each. LED's are efficent. I'll try with all 4 lights off!
Old 10-15-2013, 11:03 AM
  #5  
C7 101 car
Instructor
 
C7 101 car's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: NY
Posts: 193
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by JerryU
Found what I thought would be a good spot to get power for my Passport Max, the passenger vanity mirror. Removed the passenger sunshade (3 screws) and wired the passport direct wire cord to the wires going to the mirror lights. Checked and double checked the connections, all were correct and still are. There are 12 volts to the proper pin (and no ware else!) and the ground is fine as well. However all was fine, the lights came on, which is the same circuit as the reading lights. I know that because within 2 seconds of plugging the phone connector into the Passport Max, the circuit is opened! It’s not a fuse since in about 5 minutes it comes back on. However repeated the process and it switches off, then on in about 5 minutes. Obviously a circuit breaker but there are no shorts! Also the radar detector has only a 2 amp fuse, which is not blown. In fact the drivers mirror lights were off when I tried to plug in the connector and it no doubt pulls more than 2 amps! The Passport Max works fine when used with the supplied Smart Cord plugged into the receptacle on the console! Called Escort Techs and my dealers service folks-so far no answers.
Does anyone know how to access the rear fuse panel? Where is it? Have lifted the rear matt and only have found the battery. Not easy to lift anymore? Any thoughts?
I lifted the rear matt (not easy to do) and took Photos for everyone to see without lifting the matt.
There is ONLY one 2 amp fuse for steering wheel #11
ALL the other fuses are 5amps or MORE.

#14 is 5amps for the OnStar mirror..

I will try to do the same for my V1 when I get a chance.

Attached Images   
Old 10-15-2013, 11:28 AM
  #6  
PhilsFRC
Burning Brakes
 
PhilsFRC's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: Metairie LA
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

My guess is the typical "time out" on most GM interior lights. Maybe the detector draws more power than the bulb, causing the time out to occur sooner.
Old 10-15-2013, 12:48 PM
  #7  
george vee
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
george vee's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,598
Received 1,071 Likes on 532 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist

Default

I tapped into fuse #37 for my new Passport Max. #37 is for the accessory port on console, works fine and shuts off when car is off.

Last edited by george vee; 10-15-2013 at 06:02 PM.
Old 10-15-2013, 02:43 PM
  #8  
Glenmcp
Melting Slicks

Support Corvetteforum!
 
Glenmcp's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2013
Location: Central Gulf Coast Florida
Posts: 2,483
Received 574 Likes on 328 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by george vee
I tapped into fuse #37 for my new escort. #37 is for the accessory port on console, works fine and shuts off when car is off.
I use an accessory port on all of my cars for detectors.
Old 10-15-2013, 02:52 PM
  #9  
BPhillyc8
Burning Brakes
 
BPhillyc8's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2013
Location: Pennsylvania and New Jersey Shore
Posts: 1,059
Received 117 Likes on 33 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by C7 101 car
I lifted the rear matt (not easy to do) and took Photos for everyone to see without lifting the matt.

Thanks for posting
Old 10-15-2013, 03:38 PM
  #10  
VETJAZZ
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
VETJAZZ's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Marana, Arizona
Posts: 10,741
Received 206 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

Will it be possible to wire it into the rearview mirror as I've done on my C5?

Old 10-15-2013, 04:56 PM
  #11  
MeanDean43
Racer
 
MeanDean43's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Damn VETJAZZ, it almost looks like you got a photo of 'KILROY' in the mirror!
Old 10-15-2013, 05:05 PM
  #12  
VETJAZZ
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
VETJAZZ's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Marana, Arizona
Posts: 10,741
Received 206 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MeanDean43
Damn VETJAZZ, it almost looks like you got a photo of 'KILROY' in the mirror!
Frightening isn't it!
Old 10-15-2013, 05:12 PM
  #13  
KingMotley
Racer
 
KingMotley's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

I was lazy and took mine to Fry's. $25 for the install, $6 for some fuse-relay thing?, and he said he ran it to the fuse box. Took about an hour.
Old 10-15-2013, 05:20 PM
  #14  
JerryU
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Support Corvetteforum!
Thread Starter
 
JerryU's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,485
Received 9,619 Likes on 6,625 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by C7 101 car
I lifted the rear matt (not easy to do) and took Photos for everyone to see without lifting the matt.
There is ONLY one 2 amp fuse for steering wheel #11
ALL the other fuses are 5amps or MORE.

#14 is 5amps for the OnStar mirror..

I will try to do the same for my V1 when I get a chance.

Thanks for the pic! I had a hard enough time pulling up the corner to get at the battery. Did see those large connectors to the left but just didn't go far enough. Too bad there is nothing closer, but I will probably use 37 fuse as well. It says, Front Accessory Power outlet where the Passport Max is working fine with the Smart Cord plugged in.
Old 10-15-2013, 05:40 PM
  #15  
Vito.A
Melting Slicks
 
Vito.A's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2004
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 3,222
Received 84 Likes on 60 Posts

Default

On the C6 we use an Invisacord wire that plugs into the back of the electrical connector on the rearview mirror.
The Invisacord comes with pins on the end of each wire (Pos and Neg) and they insert into the back of the mirror electrical connector. Non-intrusive and easy to remove with no wire cutting or splicing. Takes a minute to figure out which wires are the correct ones.

http://www.invisicord.com/install.html
Old 10-15-2013, 05:48 PM
  #16  
-CM-
Melting Slicks
 
-CM-'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2009
Location: . Wyoming .
Posts: 2,867
Received 64 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Vito.A
On the C6 we use an Invisacord wire that plugs into the back of the electrical connector on the rearview mirror.
The Invisacord comes with pins on the end of each wire (Pos and Neg) and they insert into the back of the mirror electrical connector. Non-intrusive and easy to remove with no wire cutting or splicing. Takes a minute to figure out which wires are the correct ones.

http://www.invisicord.com/install.html
There is not an exposed connector on the C7 mirror.
Old 10-15-2013, 06:09 PM
  #17  
george vee
Le Mans Master
Support Corvetteforum!
 
george vee's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,598
Received 1,071 Likes on 532 Posts
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist

Default

I put my Passport max in this location, people will flame me on this. I drove 3000 miles and picked up signals farther than needed, it may be because the max does have a farther reach.
I hid the wire under the door sill then under rear carpet to fuse box.
When there is a visor mount that fits the C7 I will relocate my Max.

Get notified of new replies

To Power for Radar Detector

Old 10-15-2013, 06:12 PM
  #18  
Patriot77
Drifting
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Patriot77's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2013
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,303
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Well lets hope when you have a passenger with you that its not a real bright sunny day. He will be an unhappy camper with no sun shade to bring down to protect his eyes.
Old 10-15-2013, 07:37 PM
  #19  
Bill B 1
Drifting
 
Bill B 1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Billings Montana
Posts: 1,472
Received 32 Likes on 21 Posts

Default

Awhile back there was a post about an access hole in the back of the rearview mirror post. Has anybody check into that to see if it is capable of powering the detector??
Old 10-15-2013, 07:38 PM
  #20  
tome
Melting Slicks
 
tome's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: Mayer, AZ
Posts: 2,848
Received 321 Likes on 140 Posts

Default

Someone who is good at this stuff should pull to cover in front of the mirror where the vehicle performance camera mounting will go. There are definately wires there and a nice hole in the front of the plastic to run you detector wire through.

I also see that there is a wire that plugs into the back of the mirror and is covered. I have GM instructions on how to replace the mirror if anyone wants to see them.


Quick Reply: Power for Radar Detector



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:25 PM.