Hardwire Options?

[shoenough]

Hi! Long time lurker, first time poster.

What would you recommend for hardwiring gadgets to our cars? I'm looking to hardwire a dashcam, radar detector, and possibly a small tablet off of something switched.

Kit/part numbers and opinions on best way would be much appreciated!

 

[Matt M PA]

I too would be glad for some ideas on this as I'm looking to install my Valentine 1 above the rear view mirror. I was hoping to wire from the mirror with a MirrorTap but I see no exposed wiring plugging into the mirror.

I did find in my owner's manual that a number of fuse locations aren't used. Yet, there are fuses in them. I tried with a voltmeter to see if power was going to them but ran out of time.

I also understand that one may tap the moonroof wiring by pulling that panel down, and tapping wires there.

 

[limited02]

I used these to hardwire my dash cam:
10 Pack - EPAuto 12V Car Add-a-circuit Fuse TAP Adapter Mini ATM APM Blade Fuse Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYQM6EO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_URTuAb3XW9FYH

 

[Matt M PA]

limited02...I was thinking about those. I only pulled one fuse in my '18, but the one I pulled looks like a "micro 2" fuse according to owner's manual. I'll look into those for the different fuse types.

I assume you ran the wiring from the driver's kick panel under the weatherstrip and tucked under the edge of the headliner?

Where did you attach a ground?

The Valentine uses standard telephone cable.

 

[limited02]

The ones I linked are the micro ones we have under the dash. And yes, ran it under the weatherstrip, side pillar and headliner to the mirror. Pulled the weatherstrip and pillar back just enough to push the wire under. There are a few screws that hold the bottom of the dash panel in place and I used one there.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

I had the V1 installed over the mirror in my former (well, it's still here until the salt is gone...) and did the same as you in your car. I assumed it was the best way.....great to have that confirmed.

I'll see which circuit may be "key-on"...and go at it!

 

[limited02]

Check out my last post on page 3

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/who-uses-dash-cams.135588/page-3

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks again! I appreciate your help!

A weird, off topic note....since the V1 suction cups don't stick to the matrix stuff on the windshield...I take a small piece of clear plexiglass and tape it to the window. Suction cups then hold well. My former 2003 Cobra was my daily driver prior to the '06 Lincoln and this idea worked great in both. Time to make one of those for the SHO...

 

[Lostneye]

I don't know what wires but for my dashcam the tapped under the dash and ran the wire up the a pillar. Be careful of using multiple devices off the same fuse as alone they don't draw much current but one you start adding them together plus add the load of whatever is on the factorry fuse may have issues.

 

[shoenough]

I too would be glad for some ideas on this as I'm looking to install my Valentine 1 above the rear view mirror. I was hoping to wire from the mirror with a MirrorTap but I see no exposed wiring plugging into the mirror.

I did find in my owner's manual that a number of fuse locations aren't used. Yet, there are fuses in them. I tried with a voltmeter to see if power was going to them but ran out of time.

I also understand that one may tap the moonroof wiring by pulling that panel down, and tapping wires there.

I'm going to be switching to the V1 soon and that's actually why I mentioned possibly having a small tablet... it'd be for running JBV1 (and dashcam control). I would like a dedicated device that stays with the car and a cheap small tablet or phone seems to be ideal.

Since I'd have up to three devices powered off of the same tap, any ideas on what I could use to distribute power around the rearview? I know there are power distribution blocks but not aware of anything small/discreet enough to fit without looking crappy.

 

[shoenough]

I used these to hardwire my dash cam:
10 Pack - EPAuto 12V Car Add-a-circuit Fuse TAP Adapter Mini ATM APM Blade Fuse Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYQM6EO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_URTuAb3XW9FYH

Does the cover fit with these?

 

[Matt M PA]

shoenough....I would assume that you could use more than one of those Add A Circuits for each item, on different circuits to avoid drawing too much from one circuit.

I just got my SHO a couple weeks ago, and it has no cover on the fuse panel under the dash. Perhaps it should?

 

[limited02]

Does the cover fit with these?

It does not. I'll mess around with it when I have time to **** and with some trimming, I'm sure it'll fit.

 

[Matt M PA]

Well, it turns out my owner's manual is incorrect.

These are not "Micro 2" fuses in the panel. They're Mini Low Profile. Now, what limited02 wrote about using the taps in his link makes sense. I suppose the only "issue" could be that you'd need to simply use a regular mini fuse as opposed to a Mini Low Profile fuse in the two spaces on the tap.