hey everyone...

i just got my valentine one for xmas.. it looks awesome.. so i tried to use and i mounted it with the suction cups they provided and seems like they keep coming the windshield... i mounted the V1 right on top of the rearview mirror... i want to hardwire it but im a newbie and i dont know anything with electrical stuff... so if you guys can help me... on what to use to mount it that will help greatly...

thnx
ace

 

Get the hardwire kit from Valentine One. Then buy an add-a-circuit at Advance Auto parts and connect it to the bare end of the hardwire kit. You can tuck the wire inside the front edge of the headliner, then down the A-pillar, then through the left end of the dash to the fuse box. It's really very simple, even if you don't know electrical stuff.

 

^^^^What he said.

Buy an add-a-fuse and put it in a fuse slot that is powered only when the ignition is on. I forget which one I used. Not hard though

 

does the hardwire kit come with the valentine one? it looks like its come with it???? which slot do i put the add-a-circuit...

 

should i use the suction cups? or use velcro onthe windshield????

 

I use suction cups and the V1 has never fallen off...even when I got in an accident!

 

alright...

did you use the large suction cups?

 

Photos of my install are here, along with a great deal of converstaion about the install..... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=120554&page=3

I chose to put the visor clipon backward installed it to the headliner, a tiny patch of velcro on there tucked it in and it doesn't move unless I tell it, ran the wire up over the dector downt he A-pillar just tucking it it, used the supplied hardwire kit to go directly into an add-a-fuse (really easy do not be intimidated, add a fuse was my first bit of real elec work on the MINI).

But I did finally mange a few photos of the install, not the best photographic quality but shows how its installed.

Visor clip reversed and tucked into the headliner with some velcro on the top to prevent any side to side motion.


If for some reason you really want to use the suction mount, choos eht largest cups because of the curved windshield they'll grip better, and if you're on the edge of the "painted" part of the windshield might help to put a strip of packing tape up to give oyu a smooth spot to connect to.

 

I use the suction cup mount when traveling but I used the visor clip mount under the front edge of the plastic headliner in my cabrio. Then I put a small piece of clear gummy material on the front, left corner and press it onto the area next to the dome light to keep it from sliding around. It's very stealthy up there, and I use the remote display on the steering column so the main unit doesn't even light up. I basically copied BlimeyCabrio's install.

 

use the large suction cups and give'em a little lick . A little saliva goes a long way .

The kit should contain everything you need to permanent wire you either need to buy a fuse clip or find a hot lead to tap. As to where to put the fuse clip - trial and error works nicely .

 

if i hardwire the valentine... that means i cant use the radar in any other car? or can i?

 

You can. The "hardwire" kit stays in your primary car. You unplug the V1, put it in your other car and use the curly cord and cig. lighter plug that also came with it.

Or... if you're obsessed like some of us, you buy extra hardwire kits for your other cars and move the V1 around between them...

 

The hardwire kit provided by Valentine uses an RJ-11 "phone connector" on one end. The other end is bare wires. So yes, you can use it in other cars by using the AC socket cord, also provided.

 

Man Blimey, you type fast!

 

Did you like fall asleep at the keyboard for 27+ minutes, or ???

 

Actually, when I clicked the thread link in the email I went to the thread and your post was not there. So I posted and then yours was there. So I thought we were posting at the same time. I just now saw the time stamp

 

just go to RadioShack and get a black phone cord.

In my case, my wife had a couple of black phone cords so i used that.
i think the passport and v1's polarity are reversed. just plug it into the
detector, and place the pig tail on your battery (or even a 9v should work)
to determine which side the + and - are. they only use the inner 2
terminals.

 

oh wow thnx u guys! I'll try and hardware it today?!? where can I purchase that add- circuit thing?!?! I'll try the reverse visor clip one!!!

 

most autoparts stores ie: autozone has them.

honestly speaking, that add-on-circuit is a waste of money on
something that uses less than 1A. i just did a ghetto wiring
style of just pulling out the fuse, wrap the wire around one of
the leg of the fuse and push it back into the holder. walla.

just make sure your bare wire isn't too long and could touch
the other leg. it's not rocket science.

 

Yeah the owners of the other cars weren't to pleased with that I keep my spared coiled cord and suction mount in the glove box and they and the V1 come with me if I'm to drive a different car.
AutoZone
Advance Auto
Most Wal-Marts

 

I used my rear Park Distance Control, some of the ones that you would think are unpowered are in fact powered without the key in. Experimentation is the only way I suppose.

 

I did the clip in the headliner mount in both our cars and it works great. I found that flattening out the metal on the clip makes it fit better. I also found that its easy to snap that metal clip if you bend it to far

 

do all V1 boxes come with 2 types of clips? like visor and suction?
i need to check my box again... that visor stuck in the ceiling idea is
interesting.

 

Yep. Pretty sure that's the standard kit...

 

thanks, i'll check my box tonight.