So I am thinking about taking apart the remote switch/mute part and locating the face with the button on the plastic dash part behind the speedo. Does that dash part just pop off. Do any of you know were to pry on it so it won't break?

 

I thought you were calling someone a bonehead until I read further down.....

ask lacning he took it apart - you should check his gallery for pics actually - they're probably in there.

 

Phew. Got my old hardwire removed from my BMW. Was having a very difficult time understanding your post until I saw the wires for myself. Okay, so my options are twofold:

1) Use the small dark blue wire tap and tap into the red add-a-circuit wire, and not use the blue crimping-area at the end of the add-a-circuit

2) Cut the light blue adapter from the red V1 wire, strip it, and crimp to the add-a-circuit via the blue crimping area (I call it an 'area' b/c I have no idea what it is)

Option 1 is not as clean, but does not involve any cutting. Option 2 is cleaner but involves modification (i.e. cutting the light blue adapter from the red V1 cord).

If this is correct, then I do like the cleaner install of option 2, but if I do end up cutting the light blue adapter and choose to hardwire to a different car, I just hosed myself unless it uses a similar setup, I resplice the adapter back on the red wire, or a I get another red wire/light blue adapter.

Is this an accurate summary?

Thanks.

 

All accurate, except the part about "hosing yourself" for the future. Lots of wire taps available out there, no problems pulling this out and using a different wire tap in the future (or, even better, just moving your add-a-circuit to the new car).

 

So after starting this thread (and project) over a year ago, I finally completed the remote display gauge pod. I used an Alta gauge pod and modified the V1 remote display with different colored LED's. Everything else inside the gauge pod is custom along with an extra RJ port so I can connect a mute button.

 

looks great. my only question is does the steering wheel block your view while driving?

either way good job!

 

The steering wheel doesn't block my view normally. It's only blocked when I have the wheel turned so far that one of the spokes blocks it or when my right hand is at 1 o'clock.

Now it's easy for me to see the arrows and colors using my peripheral vision compared to looking at the main unit above the mirror.

 

Okay, I'm a novice when it comes to auto-electrical mods -- when I was 17 I used to "splice" stuff into the fusebox of my '74 Camaro all the time (probably a fire hazard) but 25 yrs later, I know today's electronics are alot more complicated. So how many "add-a-circuits" can be added to the fusebox without disabling or damaging existing electronic components? I'm just thinking one for a V1, maybe another for my XM and another for my Garmin GPS?

 

Used these instructions tonight. Worked great! Thanks.

 

I used an add-a-circuit for a couple years without any issues but when I installed gauges a little while ago I used a wire harness that attaches to the cig lighter wiring. The harness plugs into the factory connector and has a connector for the cig lighter and bare wires for your accessories (also available with other options besides bare wires).

http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=472

I think this is cleaner since you're only using power from a circuit the car expects unknown loads.

 

http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/c...596/valentine/

The remote fits perfectly on our steering columns.

If you take off those silly suction cups and glue it in
you can get it up and over high enough that it is
very difficult to see from the outside.

I put a switch on the knee panel so that I can manually turn it off.
(normally comes on with the car but I wanted to retain that
ability for certain situations)

 

I used silicone glue as well and it seems to be holding just fine. You can get it really high and it is hard to see from the outside. I like this setup much better than the suction cups.