Stealth Radar Detector Integration
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From: Wisconsin
Stealth Radar Detector Integration
I currently have the Escort Passport Max and have the available SmartCord which lets me hardwire the radar detector. The SmartCord works with a ton of other radar detectors.
Goal: I wanted to integrate the SmartCord live display and mute button into the car better. I did see a mod someone did where they put it side by side the VSA button. I liked that idea because it was stealth. I wanted to improve on that mod to accomplish 2 things: 1) make the alert and power LED more visible while driving (I usually run my radar detector with the screen completely dark at night) and 2) To make the mute button easier to press by making it bigger and changing the location (I usually grip the steering wheel with my left hand and my right hand is free)
Disclaimer: Some might think the mod is too intrusive and/or tacky but I hope there is at least something you can take away from reading the thread haha.
1) Desolder (or cut off) the old LED and solder some new wires (that will eventually connect the LEDs on the dash)
Below is a link that I used that showed a mod of how to change the LED color and dim the light that I referenced
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...smartcord.html
The first step was just taking apart the SmartCord box which comes apart by removing 1 screw. I wanted to desolder the 2 LEDs and solder in some new wire. I'm new to soldering and after messing up one SmartCord circuit board I just used a dremel to cut the LEDs at the base and just soldered my wire to stud that was still remaining. It was less than ideal but held fine with some heat shrink and plenty of zip ties securing the new wires to the bundle. In order to put the box back together I had to cut off half of it! I bet if you were actually able to desolder the LEDs you could solder the new wires in at a better angle and close the whole box nicely. Later you'll see why it’s sorta irrelevant (at least in my mod)
Make sure to label the wires with tape or zip ties or something
2) Mount your LEDs
The first thing I did was take some sand paper (1000 grit) and scuffed up the LEDs. The main reason is it gave the LEDs a flat type look which blended better with the instrument cluster. Light output with the LEDs I bought was not an issue.
The cluster covered popped out easy (no screws or anything) I drilled my holes just below a peg. If I was redoing it would try to find a slightly higher spot because when you turn the steering wheel the LEDs get blocked. At the height I sit in the car its works perfectly fine though.
I used electrical tape to run it alongside the back instrumental cluster so the wires would be neat
3) Mount your dimmer (potentiometer)
This part is completely optional depending on if you want the ability to dim the LEDs on command. Alternatively you can just put bigger and bigger resistors in until the LEDs are dim enough for you. Or a combination of both. I added it because at night I want them as dim as possible and the opposite in the day time.
Anyways I chose this location because I could reach it with my right hand. The potentiometer had three connecting ports. Make sure you wire it so when your turn clockwise the light gets brighter.
4) Make your new box for your SmartCord mute button
This is where I struggled the worst in skill. I've never made a box before and was limited to what I could find at walmart for materials haha. Could have been better but it's functional, haha. I put the SmartCord Mute button right behind some thin plexiglass so that when I pressed the plexiglass it pushed on the mute button. Also put in a small blue LED in the box so that it would light up behind the plexiglass at night. I tapped the glovebox light for the LED so that it would turn on when I turned on my headlights.
5) Mount your box
I mounted the box in the lower cubby under the radio to the left of the acc socket. I did have to remove a couple panels to have access to drill a hole from behind to route my wires. I picked this location because it was right next to the shifter where my hand usually rests and I could easily conceal it by closing the cubby door.
6) Wire everything up and you are good to go!
I've been running it for a couple of months, so far so good
Goal: I wanted to integrate the SmartCord live display and mute button into the car better. I did see a mod someone did where they put it side by side the VSA button. I liked that idea because it was stealth. I wanted to improve on that mod to accomplish 2 things: 1) make the alert and power LED more visible while driving (I usually run my radar detector with the screen completely dark at night) and 2) To make the mute button easier to press by making it bigger and changing the location (I usually grip the steering wheel with my left hand and my right hand is free)
Disclaimer: Some might think the mod is too intrusive and/or tacky but I hope there is at least something you can take away from reading the thread haha.
1) Desolder (or cut off) the old LED and solder some new wires (that will eventually connect the LEDs on the dash)
Below is a link that I used that showed a mod of how to change the LED color and dim the light that I referenced
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...smartcord.html
The first step was just taking apart the SmartCord box which comes apart by removing 1 screw. I wanted to desolder the 2 LEDs and solder in some new wire. I'm new to soldering and after messing up one SmartCord circuit board I just used a dremel to cut the LEDs at the base and just soldered my wire to stud that was still remaining. It was less than ideal but held fine with some heat shrink and plenty of zip ties securing the new wires to the bundle. In order to put the box back together I had to cut off half of it! I bet if you were actually able to desolder the LEDs you could solder the new wires in at a better angle and close the whole box nicely. Later you'll see why it’s sorta irrelevant (at least in my mod)
Make sure to label the wires with tape or zip ties or something
2) Mount your LEDs
The first thing I did was take some sand paper (1000 grit) and scuffed up the LEDs. The main reason is it gave the LEDs a flat type look which blended better with the instrument cluster. Light output with the LEDs I bought was not an issue.
The cluster covered popped out easy (no screws or anything) I drilled my holes just below a peg. If I was redoing it would try to find a slightly higher spot because when you turn the steering wheel the LEDs get blocked. At the height I sit in the car its works perfectly fine though.
I used electrical tape to run it alongside the back instrumental cluster so the wires would be neat
3) Mount your dimmer (potentiometer)
This part is completely optional depending on if you want the ability to dim the LEDs on command. Alternatively you can just put bigger and bigger resistors in until the LEDs are dim enough for you. Or a combination of both. I added it because at night I want them as dim as possible and the opposite in the day time.
Anyways I chose this location because I could reach it with my right hand. The potentiometer had three connecting ports. Make sure you wire it so when your turn clockwise the light gets brighter.
4) Make your new box for your SmartCord mute button
This is where I struggled the worst in skill. I've never made a box before and was limited to what I could find at walmart for materials haha. Could have been better but it's functional, haha. I put the SmartCord Mute button right behind some thin plexiglass so that when I pressed the plexiglass it pushed on the mute button. Also put in a small blue LED in the box so that it would light up behind the plexiglass at night. I tapped the glovebox light for the LED so that it would turn on when I turned on my headlights.
5) Mount your box
I mounted the box in the lower cubby under the radio to the left of the acc socket. I did have to remove a couple panels to have access to drill a hole from behind to route my wires. I picked this location because it was right next to the shifter where my hand usually rests and I could easily conceal it by closing the cubby door.
6) Wire everything up and you are good to go!
I've been running it for a couple of months, so far so good
nice job man, very creative! i'm the one that did the button side by side to the vsa button!
my only complaint about mine, that you have addressed, is having the LED indicator be more visible. I really like how it's at the cluster and you'll see it coming on very easily. how hard was it to access that cluster and put in that led?
i've always thought about putting the mute button somewhere more convenient but haven't found a good spot for it yet. i have a 6mt so i was thinking on the plastic console face where the shifter comes through, but still looking!
here's mine that you referenced
my only complaint about mine, that you have addressed, is having the LED indicator be more visible. I really like how it's at the cluster and you'll see it coming on very easily. how hard was it to access that cluster and put in that led?
i've always thought about putting the mute button somewhere more convenient but haven't found a good spot for it yet. i have a 6mt so i was thinking on the plastic console face where the shifter comes through, but still looking!
here's mine that you referenced
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