Valentine V1 Install in <10 Steps

[RADGT]

That well teach me to check the last post before asking Sorry about that. Thanks for the number and the decals.

Stu

 

[fjpikul]

I use old credit cards to pry things open (hotel keys will work also).

 

[B O N Y]

I tell you the Motor Sport Image quick connect for the V1 is the way to go. www.motorsportimage.com or 916-784-2323 Roseville, CA. In a few minutes or less you are set to go. It connects to the rear view mirror connector. I have my V1 suctioned cupped between the mirror & roof lining.

Ed

sent them an email to order one, they never answered, obviously small orders don't warrant their attention....

 

[TEXAS GT]

sent them an email to order one, they never answered, obviously small orders don't warrant their attention....

I called them today and they are out of the adapter for a couple of weeks. The guy actually told me it was just a standard V1 cord that was shortened and had connectors on the cut off end to attach to the power and ground wires in the mirror. He said I could cut my cord and make my own. They sell theirs for $22 so you can wait or do your own. A stereo store could also do it easily if you didn't want to mess with it.

 

[BlackICE]

I just installed a Valentine 1 in my GT with the instructions that nota4re posted. How to route the wire from the A pilar to the fusebox location was not clear, but I figured it out. I have a mac system and a small phillips screw holding a the mac power dist box provided the ground and the fuse is still in the same position.

It works great, on and off with the ignition key.

I want to thank nota4re for the instructions and Ed Sims for letting me see the instalation in his car. The Val 1 fits perfectly on top of the mirror and the controls are within easy reach. I don't like some of the other detectors where the buttons are on the top. Then the controls are too hard to manage while driving.

Now I hope I never find out how effective or non-effective this device is.

BlackICE

 

[Fubar]

I bought my first V1 about two weeks ago. I have had all the other radars, Passport under-dash laser jammer, Bell front/back under-dash, ect... but I felt like the V1 out preformed them. I like it so much that I order two more for my other cars this week.

The V1's visual profile is the main reason I had never purchased one before. It was my mistake. It is a superior piece of equipment.

 

[Piana]

Ed,
Where can I purchase this? How was Thunder Hill?
Piana

 

[BlackICE]

Tom,

The install with the soldered fuse is not bad at all. If you want I can help you with the install. All of the parts that you need come with the V1. I made a custom length "phone" wire to connect it with, solder the fuse and removed only the sun screen and passenger foot well cover. That is it. Then you never have to worry about turning it off.

I was hoping that it would go off when the ignition is turned off (like when you stop your car for the peace officer), but I forgot that the radio power stays on until the door is opened. I may have to research another hot lead so that the V1 turns off as soon as the car is off.

Tools needed, phillips screw driver, old credit card (for pushing the wire in), soldering iron and rj11 crimper (only if you want a shorter custom cable).

BlackICE

 

[Ed Sims]

V1 install/hookup in less than 30 seconds

Hi Tom - T-hill was pefect today. It was 75 & sunny & the last 3 sessions had great grip. The quick connect for the Valentine works great in my GT. I bought it from Motorsport Image 916-784-2323 www.motorsportimage.com

Ed

 

[Piana]

BlackICE,
I'll call you.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Piana]

Ed,
Glad you had a good day! Thanks for the info.
Tom

 

[BlackICE]

I will be helping a fellow owner with his V1 install and modifying mine as well. My 1st installation I used fuse 2.12 (audio radio). This has the drawback of staying on until you turn off the ignition and open a door. This is not good when if you get pulled over by a government official. So we should use a different fuse that is only on when the ignition is on such as:

2.25 wipers and washer 20A
2.28 Gauges 10A
2.29 reversing lights 10A
2.32 Climate control 10A

Then when you pull over in response some car with flashing red lights following you, then you can just turn off the car and the V1 is off too.

Note that you should still use the inline fuse for the hot lead to the V1 so that you can insert the soldered fuse without any concerns having it in the right orientation.

BlackICE

 

[Craig]

Yes, on the Vettes it will be on when the ignition switch is on but on the GT you will have to turn the detector on & off at the detector as it will have power all the time. A small price to pay for a 2 minute install & less than $20.

Ed

I wired my V1 to the mirror and made an interesting discovery. If I leave it on with the doors closed and the engine off, the computer thinks the interior light is on and then shuts off the power to the light in the mirror. I discovered this when I left it on accidently and the car started right up a week later. So, go ahead and wire it to the mirror power supply without a worry. If you forget and leave it on, it will shut itself off after 10 minutes or so and then turn back on as soon as you open the door.

Craig

 

[PHXGT]

I can't find the post where Ed Sims shows how the mirror connection works. Can anyone direct me or explain how it connects to the mirror? Also, is this a power source that only works for V1? Or, can it work for Escort and others?

Thanks.

 

[MAD IN NC]

I wired my V1 to the mirror .

Craig

Craig - do you still have the installation instructions for the cable? I lost mine (easy to do since they were on a 1/2 sheet of paper).

What I am looking for are where do the red/ green wires connect into the mirror power connector as if I hook them up wrong I'll reverse the Power/Grd to the V1...


PHXGT - The 9" cable is simply a premade phone connector RJ-11 on one end and it uses the Tip- Green/ Red - Ring wires for power to the V1. The other end has two pins that are jammed into the mirror power connector.

Images attached...

 

[fjpikul]

Blow up your Valentine. Then you can get a good Escort.

 

[MAD IN NC]

Blow up your Valentine. Then you can get a good Escort.

but I don't have the matching nuclear light if I was to buy an Escort.........:lol

OBTW let me take this time to also say Frank BEARS ARE KICKING BUTT!

 

[fjpikul]

Not anymore they're NOT!

 

[Craig]

Craig - do you still have the installation instructions for the cable? I lost mine (easy to do since they were on a 1/2 sheet of paper).

What I am looking for are where do the red/ green wires connect into the mirror power connector as if I hook them up wrong I'll reverse the Power/Grd to the V1...

I do not, but I connected the red wire to the black/wgreen stripe on the mirror (it is the left most wire in the mirror connecter) and the green wire to the right most wire in the mirror connecter (which is black).

 

[Ed Sims]

radar detector power

Thanks Craig - I have now noticed that the detector powers off as the interior lights fade off when exiting the car.

PHXGT - Any detector with a telephone jack connector will work with the harness I believe.

I have the harness & a section cup mount installed in all my cars/trucks & simply pop in the V1 in the vehicle I am driving.

Ed