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Where is the best place to tap into the 12V power?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by windstrings, Feb 10, 2006.

  1. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    I want to hardwire my detector in so I don't have to tie up my 12V adaptor 24/7.
    I can tear into the dash and find 12V power I'm sure but had anyone already figured this out so I don't have to tear out any part unecessarily?

    Thanks in advance.. I want to do this tomorrow so It will be great if anyone can help.
     
    #1 windstrings, Feb 10, 2006
  2. Inthewind

    Inthewind New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Feb 10 2006, 01:26 AM) [snapback]206905[/snapback]</div>
    Guess no one answered this one. I'm looking to do the same thing with my Escort Passport 8500. Did you ever get it wired in? In regular cars it's just an add on to the fuse box. Not so sure in a Prius.

    Anyone?
     
    #2 Inthewind, Oct 4, 2006
  3. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Inthewind @ Oct 4 2006, 08:39 PM) [snapback]328234[/snapback]</div>
    I can't remember the exact wire, but I did it on both of my cars with no prob.

    Somewhere right behind the cigarette lighter I believe is a piggytail junction.. I tapped in there.

    There is enough room there "about 2 inches or so" that you can clamp those squeeze clamps on to tap into the wire.

    Just get a meter and test for voltage and make sure its only hot when Ready is on.
    I believe I am tapped into the same voltage "or wire" that follows direct to the lighter socket.

    If you look at its all greek, let me know and I'll go look and give you better specifics.
    You should only have to take off the bottom panel to see what your doing.

    Your next question may be which wire goes to hot?..
    Well I have two 8500's, one needed green to hot the other needed red... you can't hurt it if you reverse polarity.. its protected.. so just test it and see.
     
    #3 windstrings, Oct 4, 2006
  4. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    #4 Cheap!, Oct 4, 2006
  5. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    #5 aaf709, Oct 5, 2006
  6. Inthewind

    Inthewind New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Oct 4 2006, 10:24 PM) [snapback]328257[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks for the response!

    Actually, I purchased a factory made hardwire from Escort that is pretty foolproof so that shouldn't be a problem. Now just to find where to ground it! Just kidding...

    Later
    ITW
     
    #6 Inthewind, Oct 5, 2006
  7. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    You should check to see what the capacity of the fuse that protects whatever circuit you are tapping into to make sure you aren't potentially overloading the fuse. Worse that would happen is that the fuse would blow whenever you turned on whatever it is you are hard wiring.
    Bob
     
    #7 Bob Allen, Oct 6, 2006
  8. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bob Allen @ Oct 6 2006, 04:18 PM) [snapback]329169[/snapback]</div>
    Thats no problemo tapping into the cigarette lighter... the detector pulls very little.
     
    #8 windstrings, Oct 6, 2006
  9. Inthewind

    Inthewind New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Oct 6 2006, 05:32 PM) [snapback]329174[/snapback]</div>

    That's the plan then!
    Thanks!

    Later
    ITW
     
    #9 Inthewind, Oct 6, 2006
  10. mtsarpilot

    mtsarpilot Junior Member

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    I did exactly what you are trying to do. I wired 12v for my radar detector. Very simple. I mounted the detector in the lower left corner of the windshield, then routed the wire along the edge of the dashboard plastic, down the door post, and to the fuse box. I simply picked a non-essential fuse, determined which side of it was the fused side (not the always hot side), pulled the fuse, stuck the raw wire in the fused side contacts, and shoved the fuse back in. The fuse holds the wire into the contacts. Simple installation. No wire splicing, nothing. I ran the ground wire to a stud on the firewall. Loosen the nut a touch, put the wire behind, and tighten.

    Whole thing took less than 10 minutes, and did not have to open up any panels to do it.
     
    #10 mtsarpilot, Oct 8, 2006
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