Easy dash voltage for Radar?

[MarkBytes]

Just go my new Mini S. Moved radar detector from Saab to its new home (just above dash at center). Would like to direct wire instead of using cigarette lighter.

Any suggestions of easy place to tap 12v low voltage? Should also be "switched" juice so the detector goes off and on with the rest of the car.

Not crazy about digging around for wire myself....thought someone might have already found a good spot??? Mini-thanks! - Mark

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

If it were me i would hide the wiring inside the roof pillars, under the headliner, until it reached wehere the detector is. It swould look clean and pro. Installed. As for where to hook it up? Wire it off the fuse box for switched 12V. I dotn know the wiring setup for the Mini, however i am sure that there are ancillary items that only get power with the key switched on. Find one of these and wire it up to the hot side when switched. You should be ok. I dont think that a radar detector has too much of a voltage draw to be a problem.

[MarkBytes]

Running the wire is no problem. I'm looking for most convenient "switched" wire to tap that does not effect alarm or cause undue digging thru the dash.

The under-bonnet fuse box is not resonable due to the difficulty getting thru the firewall. I'll take another look at the internal fuse panel.

Was hoping someone already successfully found the path of least resistance. The BMW techs don't like us "non-pro's" digging under "their" dash. - Mark

[MarkBytes]

Radar detector hardwired. If anyone wants to follow the same path, here goes:

1. Dug thru collection of old AC to DC batter eliminators (like for CD players, radios, cell phones) and found plug and wire that fit radar detector. Radio Shack sells the parts, but this was easier and smarter looking plug connection.
2. Ran wire from radar detector, across dash and down side of moulding on the drivers side. Moulding has 1/4 inch gap so easie to tuck in with no modification. Finally slipped behind moulding and thru back side of inside fuse box.
3. Here's the trick, Radio Shack sells a small brass terminal that wraps around one of the pins of a spade type fuse and slips into the fuse box right next to the fuse. The insert is constructed to actually wrap arond the spade pin on your fuse. This makes it too thick to slide into the tight fuse box, so I trimmed one side of the "insert" off with wire cutters. The backside of the insert has a standard wire connector fitting that you can clip unto with a standard solderless connector.
4. I selected a 5W fuse location at the very back of the fuse box (closest to engine). Use an ohmeter and check for two things. First, you want a fuse that is switched on and off by the ignition switch. Second, you and to slip the spade insert into the "dead" side of the fuse. This will ensure the fuse provides protection for your radar detector.
5. I split the newly ran wire with the color coded (positive) side to the fuse box. I added a solderless female terminal and slipped it onto the male "insert" that is now in the fuse box.
6. A solderless forked connector was added to the "ground" side of the wire. There are several convenient ground locations nearby.

That's it. Total time: about 30 minutes. Now Radar Detector wire is out of the way. The cigarette lighter is available for cell phone or whatever.

The insert to the fuse box is easily removable if you are squeamish about modifying your new Mini. Have fun!