sully2028
Feb 11th, 2008, 7:55 am
I am in the process of hard wiring my radar detector and had some questions. I had posted this earlier on the Southeast forum and they suggested it be posted here. Some super information is given below in response to my questions, and any additional input would be appreciated.
=========
Questions
Saw your note re demo re farkles/electronics. I just bought a radar detector (Beltronics RX55) and have made a mount off the right mirror handlebar. Maybe you could demo/discuss how to hook it up/hard wire it. Some issues of concern - Can it tie into the wiring in the right handlebar? Should we link it to a fuse block (recommendations re brand, where to get it), should we have a relay between fuse block and battery? Can we make a "home made" connection using telephone cord and a fuse? Do we need audio or is the unit loud enough to hear when on the highway - if we need audio, can we tie it into the BMW speaker system?
Just some thoughts. Thanks!
-------------
Response
I guess the answer to most of your questions is, It Depends!
I'll try and cover a few of the options here. Others may feel free to join in the discussion. If it gets too lengthy we may want to move this to another FORUM.
1. I'm not aware of any existing wiring in the right handle bar that is suitable for supplying power to the detector.
2. If the only accessory that your ever going to add to your LT is the radar detector you can get by with connecting directly to the battery or, depending on the required power, one of a couple of other switched power sources like the parking light or heated seat power for example.
3. Regardless of where you tap into power I would suggest installing an inline fuse to protect the added circuit.
4. I'm not familiar with the power requirements of your specific unit but I would caution you to determine whether it is designed to run directly off of 12V dc or if the "cigarette lighter adapter" supplied with the unit also modifies the output voltage to some lower value. If the latter is the case then you will have to include the cigarette lighter adapter inline with the power source.
5. If you think you might want to add additional electrical farkles in the future, driving light, GPS, intercom, etc. then the recommendation would of course be to add a multi circuit fuse block as part of the installation. This option would include sourcing power directly from the battery through a relay and an inline fuse. Typical high quality fuse blocks that have been used by myself and other members are: http://bluesea.com/products/5025 and
http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/panels/ap1.shtml .
6. Not sure I'd recommend "telephone wire" although it will probably work depending on the power requirements of the unit. However, there are lots of choices for either single or multi wire conductors available from big box home centers, Radio Shack, or other electronics supply houses.
7. Don't know if the audio supplied directly from the unit is loud enough to be heard with a helmet on at highway speed, however I doubt it. I do not personally run a radar detector and so have no experience in that area. If the unit has an available aux audio output and you have an intercom with installed helmet head set it is probably possible to wire the detector audio through the AUX input in the intercom. I believe, although probably possible, that if you do not have an existing intercom it will be difficult to supply the audio output directly to the bike speakers. I'm guessing that it would require a separate amplifier and filters to prevent feedback between the radio and detector.
Hope this helps at least a little. If you have additional questions let me know and I'll try to answer.
=========
Questions
Saw your note re demo re farkles/electronics. I just bought a radar detector (Beltronics RX55) and have made a mount off the right mirror handlebar. Maybe you could demo/discuss how to hook it up/hard wire it. Some issues of concern - Can it tie into the wiring in the right handlebar? Should we link it to a fuse block (recommendations re brand, where to get it), should we have a relay between fuse block and battery? Can we make a "home made" connection using telephone cord and a fuse? Do we need audio or is the unit loud enough to hear when on the highway - if we need audio, can we tie it into the BMW speaker system?
Just some thoughts. Thanks!
-------------
Response
I guess the answer to most of your questions is, It Depends!
I'll try and cover a few of the options here. Others may feel free to join in the discussion. If it gets too lengthy we may want to move this to another FORUM.
1. I'm not aware of any existing wiring in the right handle bar that is suitable for supplying power to the detector.
2. If the only accessory that your ever going to add to your LT is the radar detector you can get by with connecting directly to the battery or, depending on the required power, one of a couple of other switched power sources like the parking light or heated seat power for example.
3. Regardless of where you tap into power I would suggest installing an inline fuse to protect the added circuit.
4. I'm not familiar with the power requirements of your specific unit but I would caution you to determine whether it is designed to run directly off of 12V dc or if the "cigarette lighter adapter" supplied with the unit also modifies the output voltage to some lower value. If the latter is the case then you will have to include the cigarette lighter adapter inline with the power source.
5. If you think you might want to add additional electrical farkles in the future, driving light, GPS, intercom, etc. then the recommendation would of course be to add a multi circuit fuse block as part of the installation. This option would include sourcing power directly from the battery through a relay and an inline fuse. Typical high quality fuse blocks that have been used by myself and other members are: http://bluesea.com/products/5025 and
http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/panels/ap1.shtml .
6. Not sure I'd recommend "telephone wire" although it will probably work depending on the power requirements of the unit. However, there are lots of choices for either single or multi wire conductors available from big box home centers, Radio Shack, or other electronics supply houses.
7. Don't know if the audio supplied directly from the unit is loud enough to be heard with a helmet on at highway speed, however I doubt it. I do not personally run a radar detector and so have no experience in that area. If the unit has an available aux audio output and you have an intercom with installed helmet head set it is probably possible to wire the detector audio through the AUX input in the intercom. I believe, although probably possible, that if you do not have an existing intercom it will be difficult to supply the audio output directly to the bike speakers. I'm guessing that it would require a separate amplifier and filters to prevent feedback between the radio and detector.
Hope this helps at least a little. If you have additional questions let me know and I'll try to answer.