Another Radar Detector Hardwire (Escort 9500 smartcord)
 

I spent an hour yesterday hardwiring my Escort 9500 to my fuse panel. The hardwire method described here is the same the GeoT3 came up with a few months ago (GeoT3 George's Hardwire Method).

The main difference with my hardwire is that I hang my radar detector just to the left of the rear view mirror while George uses his above mid-dashboard.

To route the Escort smartcord (probably same 4-pin phone jack connector as V1) from the rearview area down to the fuse box I used a bunch of Velcro. As McGuyveresque as it sounds, it works great! Black Velcro is available from your local hardware store – I think I paid about 6 bucks for 15 feet. What you need to do is to run the ‘bristle’ (i.e. the firmer) type Velcro along the path shown in the pics below. If you feel with your fingers, you will find that there is quite a large gap (‘dead space’) tucked along the perimeter of the windshield and the roof or pillar. It’s actually surpisingly deep! Line this area with various strips of bristle Velcro. Then, prepare the smartcord with ‘furry’ Velcro as shown below. I placed a small tab of the furry Velcro near the phone connector which allows the cord to be tucked out of place when not in use. You only need to wrap the first few feet of the power cord with furry Velcro. Once completed, tuck the furry covered cord into the ‘dead space’ with your fingers or a soft probe. It is now firmly in place, but removable without damaging anything. From the bottom of the pillar, push the wire between the dash and pillar as shown in the pics. The cable then runs down the weather stripping and out into the electrical area.

To connect the smartcord to the fuse panel, I followed GeoT3’s directions. There are a plethora of fuse taps available but I liked the one GeoT3 used. It is available on Ebay. The power side of the Escort smartcord comes with a female connect on it. Cut that off and strip some wire. The fuse tap comes with a crimp type connector. Simply insert the stripped wire and crush it with pliers. I put a little electrical tape around it to make myself feel professional.

Remove the fuse box cover using the finger grip. There are two Phillips head screws on the top of the fuse panel and one at the bottom. Remove these three screws and the carpeted section can be easily removed revealing a cornucopia of wires. Positions C1 and C5 (see pic) do not have fuses in them. They can be used as switched power supplies for accessories – C1 for RWD and C5 for AWD. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure why this is but I know it works!!! Start by placing the groud wire for the smartcord. There is a 10mm nut (see pic) which can be easily loosened and used to ground. The small hoop connector of the smartcord should be sliced to make it more easily fit over the exposed threads. The power end of the fuse tap then fits into the fuse box as shown. Note that you need to put a fuse in the tap as shown (I used 10A). These taps are meant to hold two fuses – one to replace an existing fuse in a panel and a second one to piggyback. Since the Carrera has these extra spots open on the fuse panel, there is no need to piggyback.

Coil up the excess wire of the smartcord and wrap it with some tape or a twisty. Replace the carpeted section surround the fuse box. You will notice that the red wire of the fuse tap gets crushed a bit. To alleviate this, I made a small notch (see pic) in the fuse box covering so that the red wired is no longer crushed. Replace the three screws and put the fuse cover back on. Start your car – voila.

Again, major kudos to GeoT3 for the inspiration.

http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/01.jpg http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/01a.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/1.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/2.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/2a.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/3.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/4.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/5.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/6.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/07.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/7.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/8.jpg
http://coochas.com/pics/hardwire/9.jpg

Nice job Dave. Let us know how you like the 9500. I've got an 8500 that I like, but if/when it dies, the 9500 looks like the one to get right now imho.

Thanks.
So far I really like the 9500 although I haven't hit that many traps in the past few months! The GPS signal lockout feature is really great: when you get a signal that you know is false, you hit the mute button three times and it locks out the specific frequency next time you go by it (instead the little GPS icon just rotates but there is no audible)....very very cool.

I did the same with my 8500 a couple of months ago, except while i was in the fuse box, I added a switched lighter outlet mounted up under steering column so i can plug in my Roady2 XM unit under there. I mounted my 8500 on the passenger side of the mirror as I find it less obtrusive there. Plus, the 8500 has the angled display so is still easy to see from driver's side. i mounted my remote mute switch on bottom of steering column. Can't see it but find it quickly and easy to reach. Hadn't thought of the velcro, but so far the wire seems to be staying up out of sight behind trim. Articles like yours and GEOT3 are very helpful for first timers. Thanks.

Just curious, why Escort over the Valentine?

In my case, because I already had the Escort and am still quite satisfied with it.

+1? Nice job on the DIY....

I recently picked up a Valentine 1 and couldn't be more happy with its sensitive AND ability to configure that sensitivity to eliminate false hits.

Nice install by the way.

I basically feel the same way. I've used Escort products for many years and have always been very satisfied. Until there is an obvious advantage of one brand over the other, I'll use Escort.
I also am really digging the GPS lockout ability.

Thank you
 

Great tutorial. Perfect install in less than an hour. Thanks for your efforts

Any idea where I can buy a 'fuse tap'? Ebay link doesn't work and would prefer to buy locally so I can get my hardwire done this weekend.

Below find the hardwire link instructions I posted a couple of years ago for my 996... does the 997 have a similar phone plug to hardwire in, or do I have to go via the fusebox?

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...sport+hardwire

Wouter,

Just go the the fuse box. The fuse tap should be available at your local auto parts store, which is where I bought mine.

I use the escort in my everyday vehicle, but looking at the work involved to hard wire, doesn't seem worth it.

I'm going to purchase the Escort Solo wireless, for what i'm paying to maintain the 911 a few extra bucks in battery's is minimal! NK

I had mine hardwired too. Not sure if I have it up too high. I have it on the right side of the mirror.

I did the SmartCord hardwire this morning.

Coochas, great description... thanks a lot!

Below see the results:

Attachment 1234018

Attachment 1234019

Attachment 1234020