radar det
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 122
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From: Westmont, IL
My Ride: 2006 530xi -- silver grey
Just hard-wired my Valentine 1 to my 530xi with the concealed display. 
Mounted the V1 main unit above the right side of the rear view mirror.
Thanks to Don Juan and Stream especially, and the many others for their thoughts/comments on the install process.
I used the green wire with yellow stripe that Don Juan suggested. As others stated, I did not get power to the V1 after initially using it's T-tap in adapter (14-18 gauge)
. So I took a pair of pliers and slightly squeezed the metal columns together which come into contact with the wire, this worked like a charm! 
I grounded the spade lug to the hex/star drive screw near the Siemens white box (I think jksanford used this one).
Ran my wire for the concealed display as suggested by stream--this was the hardest part of the install, getting the wire wedged in between the wood and dash!!!
As for V1 location, my understanding is that the tint band across the top of the windshield doesn't interfere with the regular radar signal, only laser range. Please let me know if this is not true.
Thanks all!!
Mounted the V1 main unit above the right side of the rear view mirror.
Thanks to Don Juan and Stream especially, and the many others for their thoughts/comments on the install process.
I used the green wire with yellow stripe that Don Juan suggested. As others stated, I did not get power to the V1 after initially using it's T-tap in adapter (14-18 gauge)
. So I took a pair of pliers and slightly squeezed the metal columns together which come into contact with the wire, this worked like a charm! I grounded the spade lug to the hex/star drive screw near the Siemens white box (I think jksanford used this one).
Ran my wire for the concealed display as suggested by stream--this was the hardest part of the install, getting the wire wedged in between the wood and dash!!!
As for V1 location, my understanding is that the tint band across the top of the windshield doesn't interfere with the regular radar signal, only laser range. Please let me know if this is not true.
Thanks all!!
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Boston,MA
My Ride: 2003 X5 3.0----->gone
2004 Porsche Cayenne S : Gemballa front and back bodykit, fabspeed bypass pipes, Gemballa exhaust pipes, full option, 20" factory sport design rims------>gone
2005 545i 6-spd manual---->de-badged, CDV removal, Autosolutions short shift kit, resonator removal, premium package, PDC, xenon, almost full options, hardwire V1 install ....looking for mods...
2007 550i 6-spd----> Premium package, sport package, Logic7, heated everything, Rogue Engineering SSK, CDV removal, hardwire V1 install, aFe cold air intake, Custom Magnaflow exhaust....
Just finished installing and hardwiring the V1. Don Juan, I stumbled upon your instructions before anyone else and they were clear and precise. I was about to scedule an appt. with my mechanic who would charge me 40-60 bucks to install the V1, guess that would not be needed now 
The only deviation I took from Don's method was I used different screws for the ground wire which obviously did not make a difference. Reading this thread further I saw some members who used the long wire to snake around the instrument cluster and pillars to hide them. My advice is: just follow Don Juan's method. i bet it'll take the same amount of time to hardwire them than to just hide the wires. Anyways this successful installation just made my day. I think this thread should be made a sticky!!
The only deviation I took from Don's method was I used different screws for the ground wire which obviously did not make a difference. Reading this thread further I saw some members who used the long wire to snake around the instrument cluster and pillars to hide them. My advice is: just follow Don Juan's method. i bet it'll take the same amount of time to hardwire them than to just hide the wires. Anyways this successful installation just made my day. I think this thread should be made a sticky!!
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: western Canada
My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Aluminum Cube Trim, M Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, Head Up Display, Steptronic, Comfort Seats, Rear Heated Seats, Through Load, Park Distance Control, Navigation , HK Logic 7, etc
Can't wait to get my car so I can install the radar!! wow very cool
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
My Ride: 2006 550i, Alpine White, Beige Ltr, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Steptronic, Nav, Satellite Radio, Split Fold Rear Seats, V1
Don Juan
Just wanted to say thank you for posting the detailed pictures of your V1 installation. My ED 550i was delivered yesterday. Thanx to your detailed pictures, I was able to quickly hardwire my V1 without a fuss. I am grateful for the time you spent to document the installation. Enjoy the holidays!
Just wanted to say thank you for posting the detailed pictures of your V1 installation. My ED 550i was delivered yesterday. Thanx to your detailed pictures, I was able to quickly hardwire my V1 without a fuss. I am grateful for the time you spent to document the installation. Enjoy the holidays!
Members
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2006 530xi, Silver/Black, Steptronic, Prem Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Fold-Down rear seats, Navi.
Hi all-
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,882
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From: San Francisco Bay area
My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by rezultz' post='230225' date='Jan 26 2006, 04:31 PM
Hi all-
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
Members
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
My Ride: 2006 530xi, Silver/Black, Steptronic, Prem Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Fold-Down rear seats, Navi.
Hi all-
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
[/quote]
I've read over the whole procedure again just now and it seems simple enough (almost seems TOO easy). I'm just reluctant to mess with the electrical guts of my car. Getting the courage up to do it.
If I hardwire and bring my car in for service (mine is leased), does it void any warrantee or break some kind of agreement that you've done electrical alterations to your vehicle. I'm sure they'll see the wire hanging from the windshield.
Can you make a RJ11 to CigLIghter adapter yourself???
Banned
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay area
My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Originally Posted by rezultz' post='230225' date='Jan 26 2006, 04:31 PM
Hi all-
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
My E60 has a cig lighter power outlet next to the front passenger's feet. I want to mount my radar detector in a discrete way and run the wire along the windsheild, down the door frame of the car, and down into the passenger's foot area. Are there any non-coiled wires for my Bel V995 long enough for me to do this? This is not a direct-mount wire, but a cig adapter wire. If these arent sold...how can I make one myself??? (I have no electrical wiring experience)
Thanks!!
I've read over the whole procedure again just now and it seems simple enough (almost seems TOO easy). I'm just reluctant to mess with the electrical guts of my car. Getting the courage up to do it.
If I hardwire and bring my car in for service (mine is leased), does it void any warrantee or break some kind of agreement that you've done electrical alterations to your vehicle. I'm sure they'll see the wire hanging from the windshield.
Can you make a RJ11 to CigLIghter adapter yourself???
[/quote]
I've had my V1 hardwired to several cars and never had so much as a comment about it from any dealer, and all the cars were under warranty. And years ago, I had an Escort hardwired by the dealer.
Assuming you still don't want to go this route, if your radar detector's power plug is a RJ11 based wire and you really want to just plug it into the power socket, you can go to the Valentine One site and they sell a long, flat RJ11 cord, and a lighter adapter that the RJ11 plugs into:
https://store.valentine1.com/store/default....egory=partsdept
Senior Members
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
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From: Norfolk, UK.
My Ride: 530d Touring
Model Year: 2007
Just a quick question.
Yesterday I had the multimeter out looking for 12v switched and came across the green/yellow wire and it read 12v, however when I turned the ignition off it still read 12v.
Any ideas why? Are the Euro cars any different?
Maybe I only turned the ignition off and didn't remove the key, does it carry on giving 12v until the key is removed?
Cheers guys.
Yesterday I had the multimeter out looking for 12v switched and came across the green/yellow wire and it read 12v, however when I turned the ignition off it still read 12v.
Any ideas why? Are the Euro cars any different?
Maybe I only turned the ignition off and didn't remove the key, does it carry on giving 12v until the key is removed?
Cheers guys.