Radar detector mount and power option

[Ryan Goodlett]

I have a Valentine 1 radar detector and currently I have it mounted to the left of the rear view mirror at the top of the windshield. Its the same place I had it mounted in my 2013 Fusion before. The current (no pun) wiring setup for power runs from the V1 along the front edge of the headliner between the windshield and down the drivers side A pillar. Through the bottom area of the dash, the center console, and tapped into the wires for the 12V plug. I have never had any issues and I like that the detector turns on and off with the car. While spending some time on another FF site, I saw some guys discussing radar detector mounts and wiring. It took me to this Escort forum. I have never seen one of these mounts and better yet the guy is drawing power from the mirror. While they dont make a kit for our car, this guy has obviously figured out how to make it work. I think I may need to get this set up.

 

Thread

http://www.escortradarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10634

 

Mirror Mount

http://store.blendmount.com/fusion-c391.aspx

 

Mirror Tap

https://store.nexternal.com/mgt/storefront/mirrortap-2000-series-050-tap-radar-detector-power-cord-with-inline-fuse-20-long-p1528direct.aspx

[darrelld]

Let me know how this goes. I am looking to do the same with my Fusion and the Valentine1. I have an email to Blendmount and sent them a photo of my mirror with the Lane Keep Assist cameras. I also am mounting a BlackVue 500 Dashcam with PowerMagic.

[Boat Racer]

I have a Valentine 1 radar detector and currently I have it mounted to the left of the rear view mirror at the top of the windshield. Its the same place I had it mounted in my 2013 Fusion before. The current (no pun) wiring setup for power runs from the V1 along the front edge of the headliner between the windshield and down the drivers side A pillar. Through the bottom area of the dash, the center console, and tapped into the wires for the 12V plug. I have never had any issues and I like that the detector turns on and off with the car. While spending some time on another FF site, I saw some guys discussing radar detector mounts and wiring. It took me to this Escort forum. I have never seen one of these mounts and better yet the guy is drawing power from the mirror. While they dont make a kit for our car, this guy has obviously figured out how to make it work. I think I may need to get this set up.

 

Thread

http://www.escortradarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10634

 

Mirror Mount

http://store.blendmount.com/fusion-c391.aspx

 

Mirror Tap

https://store.nexternal.com/mgt/storefront/mirrortap-2000-series-050-tap-radar-detector-power-cord-with-inline-fuse-20-long-p1528direct.aspx

I have the same Blendmount on my '13 Fusion for my V1. The first one they sent me a year ago didn't work right but the second one they sent a couple of months ago looks just like the one in the link you provided to the Escort forum. It fit and works well but I can't figure out how to power the V1 from the mirror electrics. I have that short power cord in use for my Corvette to power the V1 and the installation is very clean. The rear of that mirror was easy to get to in order to tap into for the power supply. I have not been able to figure out how to get to the mirror power connections on the Fusion. I took it to a dealer today and asked what it would cost for them to make that power connection and the service adviser estimated $200 because the headliner has to come down. I guess that I will just live with the ugly coiled power cord rather than pay that cost.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Boat Racer

[darrelld]

I have the same Blendmount on my '13 Fusion for my V1. The first one they sent me a year ago didn't work right but the second one they sent a couple of months ago looks just like the one in the link you provided to the Escort forum. It fit and works well but I can't figure out how to power the V1 from the mirror electrics. I have that short power cord in use for my Corvette to power the V1 and the installation is very clean. The rear of that mirror was easy to get to in order to tap into for the power supply. I have not been able to figure out how to get to the mirror power connections on the Fusion. I took it to a dealer today and asked what it would cost for them to make that power connection and the service adviser estimated $200 because the headliner has to come down. I guess that I will just live with the ugly coiled power cord rather than pay that cost.

I just ordered the Blendmount components for V1 and plan to run the wire behind the headliner and down the drivers side A Pillar to the fuse box. I did the same for the V1 and dashcam in my wife's CMax.

[murphy]

Read this post

 

http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/54405-how-to-illuminated-door-sills-no-solder/

 

on the blueoval forum on how to install lighted sill plates. It shows how to pull down the whole assembly above the mirror. Take your time and use steady even pressure. When I did it the rubber bumpers for the sunglasses door fell out. I didn't realize it had happened until I had it all back together.

 

I don't know which wires you want since the sill plates go off when the doors are closed. You will need a voltmeter. It has to be there since the vanity mirror lights have power when the car is on.

Edited June 24, 2014 by murphy

[jza80]

I just installed a Blendmount in my Energi which has all the windshield mounted electronics. The one they shipped fits well but it has a little more gap between the mirror and detector than what I would prefer. Blendmount says they may have a better solution that fits closer but I haven't seen it yet.

 

I wired mine to the middle console 12v acc plug via the A pillar, there were many plastic panels to pop off but it was straightforward using plastic trim removal tools. I also installed a Escort Live power module (with a Redline detector) and the setup works great. I have been a longtime V1 user and that is a great detector but I am now sold on the Redline / Escort Live setup.

[darrelld]

I just installed a Blendmount in my Energi which has all the windshield mounted electronics. The one they shipped fits well but it has a little more gap between the mirror and detector than what I would prefer. Blendmount says they may have a better solution that fits closer but I haven't seen it yet.

 

I wired mine to the middle console 12v acc plug via the A pillar, there were many plastic panels to pop off but it was straightforward using plastic trim removal tools. I also installed a Escort Live power module (with a Redline detector) and the setup works great. I have been a longtime V1 user and that is a great detector but I am now sold on the Redline / Escort Live setup.

 

Can you share your preference as to going 12v Acc Console outlet vs Tapafuse to the fuse panel?

[jza80]

Either way would work, I just prefer to not interface directly with the fuse box using an external tap. Also, my setup included an external module that is mounted to the center console so it needed power to come up from the lower console anyway.

 

The tap a fuse method might be a little easier to install since you won't have to take apart the console, just the lower dash panel.

[darrelld]

Has anyone removed the drivers A Pillar cover to run the wires? I did this in my C-Max and ran the Valentine1 and dashcam power wires behind the airbag located there.

[Ryan Goodlett]

I just pulled it back a bit and the wires fell right into it. Didn't have to remove the A pillar trim.

[darrelld]

I just pulled it back a bit and the wires fell right into it. Didn't have to remove the A pillar trim.

Thanks, do you have any tips how to transition between the A Pillar and the lower dash? For example is there a space toward the front of the pillar, back, middle, ect. Also I plan to bundle a radar detector and dashcam power cables on this run so is there ample room to do this? I am running multiple power cables because I want the dashcam powered separately with a Power Magic Pro box to record in park mode.

[HotLap]

All, I have successfully used the Blendmount and Invisicord on my last six vehicles. Just picked up my 2014 Energi in Sept and have not yet had the chance to install. What has worked for me in the past (2007 Shelby GT 500, 2009 F-150, 2011 Edge, 2012 MKX, 2013 F-150) has been to tap a keyed power and ground off of the rearview mirror connector. My Invisicord came with "blade" style ends that slide right into the back of the wiring pins of the rearview mirror. I have not had to remove the headliner, A pillar covers nor run wiring anywhere, just a short run from my Escort 9500ix to the mirror connector (5 inches)? Generally someone on the forum will know which wire is the power vs ground and you can easily connect from there. Once I get around to installing on my 2014 FFE I'll post results...that is if the Blendmount will fit on the mirror stalk, due to the windshield camera's housing it looks to be a tight squeeze, but I'm sure it can be trimmed at bit.

 

Anyway good luck and the Blendmount is a quality product.

[darrelld]

All, I have successfully used the Blendmount and Invisicord on my last six vehicles. Just picked up my 2014 Energi in Sept and have not yet had the chance to install. What has worked for me in the past (2007 Shelby GT 500, 2009 F-150, 2011 Edge, 2012 MKX, 2013 F-150) has been to tap a keyed power and ground off of the rearview mirror connector. My Invisicord came with "blade" style ends that slide right into the back of the wiring pins of the rearview mirror. I have not had to remove the headliner, A pillar covers nor run wiring anywhere, just a short run from my Escort 9500ix to the mirror connector (5 inches)? Generally someone on the forum will know which wire is the power vs ground and you can easily connect from there. Once I get around to installing on my 2014 FFE I'll post results...that is if the Blendmount will fit on the mirror stalk, due to the windshield camera's housing it looks to be a tight squeeze, but I'm sure it can be trimmed at bit.

 

Anyway good luck and the Blendmount is a quality product.

 

Blendmount fits perfectly, V1 waveguide is just below the Lane Keep Assist camera housing.

 

Edited November 4, 2014 by darrelld

[HotLap]

Darrell, thanks for the pic...it took me a minute to figure out I was looking into the rear view mirror :) Is your Blendmount the style where the mirror stalk clamp is centered on top of the mount or (per the Blendmount web site for the Fusion I checked out yesterday) where the actual clamp piece is to one side of the top...I hope that makes sense? I have the older style where the clamp is centered on top of the mount and held it in place against the mirror stalk yesterday... looks like it will fit OK though.

[darrelld]

I am using the BV1-2002.