Hardwiring Valentine 1

[Cattivo]

I just bought a V1 radar detector and I'm looking to hardwire it into the top center light console. I searched on youtube but only E53 X5's come up...my question is, those of you who have done this...which wire do I need to splice into to give me voltage only when the ignition is on? I know I can figure it out with a voltage tester but I'm looking for the lazy way out

[RideM5]

Green with white line wire I believe. I can take a picture of mine tomorrow.

[Cattivo]

Thanks buddy, I'll give that a try

[drx5m]

I followed this video to install my V1. Been working great...saved me many times already.

[RideM5]

For some reason my panel wouldn't pop off, but I'm 90% sure I used the green wire

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by RideM5

For some reason my panel wouldn't pop off, but I'm 90% sure I used the green wire

You were 100% correct, it was the green wire with the white tracer I tapped into and it worked perfectly giving me voltage only when the ignition is turned on. Took me all of 10 minutes to hardwire it and used the largest star shaped screw for my ground.

The hardest part was figuring out where to mount the V1 concealed unit which I eventually installed dead center of the dash directly behind the dash speaker. I have extended leather so using the 3m double sided sticky velcro pieces that come with it wouldn't stick very well to my dash, I'm still figuring out how to get it to stick

Passing both cords through the headliner and concealing them tucked inside the headliner was very easy, I connected 1 wire to the V1 radar detector mounted on my sun visor and the second I ran down the pillar where the airbag is down to the windshield and tucked it under the dash where the vin# is...the wire was just the perfect length showing about 6'' exposed where it plugs into the V1 concealed unit which sits imo at perfect eye level. I'll take a few pics for anyone looking to do this...I know radar detectors aren't 100% ticket savers but having a 5k lb. tank which goes 0-100 very quickly, anything helps

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by drx5m

I followed this video to install my V1. Been working great...saved me many times already.

I watched that same video and the way he hardwired it will work but the red wire with violet tracer has constant voltage and you would need to turn it on and off each time you start the car or risk the rd draining the battery

[smass]

Thanks for posting this. It reminded me that I need to finish hard wiring my dash cam. Grean with white stripe worked. No more power cable hanging down.

[omgboost]

I have mine mounted next to the rear view mirror right by the windshield tint. This way, it is very hard to see from the outside by anyone. I run the wires from the headliner, to the passenger door, then back down to the floor and use the socket inside the center storage to power the radar detector.

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by omgboost

I have mine mounted next to the rear view mirror right by the windshield tint. This way, it is very hard to see from the outside by anyone. I run the wires from the headliner, to the passenger door, then back down to the floor and use the socket inside the center storage to power the radar detector.

I get the whole trying to hide it from thieves as I did the same thing being in NYC...but why not just hardwire it instead? I tried posting pics but this new laptop is a pia

[brian5]

I've hardwired in the past but now just use the SAVVY from V1. Recommended

[omgboost]

Originally Posted by Cattivo

I get the whole trying to hide it from thieves as I did the same thing being in NYC...but why not just hardwire it instead? I tried posting pics but this new laptop is a pia

I thought about it but didn't want to deal with taking down the panel on top and splicing the wire to hardwire it. I use the passport 9500ix so I want to cord to mute/lockout false signals. Works just as good and looks just as clean from the driver/passenger seats.

[bscarlett]

I also have the SAVVY and really like it. While I did hardwire the V1 to my E53, the center console looked more difficult to remove and I also wanted to be able to auto mute at lower speeds. The SAVVY took care of all of it. I ran the power across the front at the top of the headliner, down the a pillar and then to the OBD port where the SAVVY plugs in. Very clean and neat!

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by bscarlett

I also have the SAVVY and really like it. While I did hardwire the V1 to my E53, the center console looked more difficult to remove and I also wanted to be able to auto mute at lower speeds. The SAVVY took care of all of it. I ran the power across the front at the top of the headliner, down the a pillar and then to the OBD port where the SAVVY plugs in. Very clean and neat!

IMPORTANT NOTES:

SAVVY draws a small current from the car battery even with the ignition switched off. Use caution in vehicles with weak batteries, or that go for long periods without being driven.

E70's are notorious for battery drainage, that's probably the only reason I didn't install SAVVY...anytime I drive past a shopping mall and the V1 goes crazy, I just hit mute

[Cattivo]

Here are a few pics of my install...I have since moved the V1 over to the passenger side sun visor so the rear antenna has better clearance out the rear window instead of my head...Just an fyi, by using the sun visor mount bracket it tends to aim the V1 towards the ground because of the angle it sits in...I took a piece of 1 1/2'' thick rubber I had laying around and taped it on top of the V1 so it sits nice and level so I don't miss any possible hits

[Cattivo]

A few more