Switched power

[SabaDabaDoo]

Could anybody point me to the article on how to access a switched wire to power my radar detector ?( or how to change the cigarette lighter into switched power?)

Thanks

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[creekman]

You can go into the fuse panel (I would pull back the panel and work from the back) and use a light probe or multimeter to find

 switched power.  

[Loren]

Or use the telephone prep cable - which has switched power, unswitched power, and ground.

 

 

[JFP in PA]

43 minutes ago, SabaDabaDoo said:

 

Could anybody point me to the article on how to access a switched wire to power my radar detector ?( or how to change the cigarette lighter into switched power?)

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Under your radio and behind the center console is a plug meant to be used for the extinct factory cell phone:

 

[judgejon]

1 hour ago, SabaDabaDoo said:

 

Could anybody point me to the article on how to access a switched wire to power my radar detector ?( or how to change the cigarette lighter into switched power?)

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

yes, check the search engine.  there are many threads on this, including many with step-by-step photos re radar detector placements.

 

My V1 is up next to the rear view mirror.  The remote unit is down on the batwing below the console cubby.

 

There is a thread with pics on this exact placement.  You can wire into the cabin light connection.  Or, as I did, if you do not have heated seats, use the empty fuse connection in the fuse box, wire in a fuse connector and run a line up the pillar to the rear view mirror area.  Any empty switched fuse connection would work, but the heated seat fuse seems to be the best, unless of course you have heated seats (which I don't because I live in an area with a mild year round climate).  See the post above by Creekman if you need to find an open switched fuse.

 

Loren notes a good suggestion as well, and I recall a thread with step by step photos of this connection as well.  It's perfect if you want to mount the detector directly into your console.  Good pics on this.  The search engine is your friend.

 

Don't change the cigarette lighter to switched power.  Use the lighter plug for connection of a battery charger to maintain the battery if you are not regularly driving the car, say over winter storage, or when away on a long trip with your wife who insists on taking her suv to lug all the luggage.  These cars are battery hogs, and more than a few folks have reported a drained out battery after a long period of storage.  Drained out battery can lead to overloaded alternator.  Trickle charger is perfect via cigarette lighter.  Just open the passenger window about 1/4 inch for the wire.  Of course, there are many threads about hooking up a trickle charger to the battery.  I just didn't want to mess around doing that.  You can find good trickle chargers on line.  If you get one with the Porsche logo you will pay about triple for it.  Check with Sunset Parts, or look around on line.  Porsche branded charger is a generic from a company I don't recall at the moment.

 

Good luck. 

Edited September 24, 2016 by judgejon

[JFP in PA]

Ctek makes them, and they are excellent.  If you buy one from Amazon, it will be much cheaper than from Porsche.

[318touring]

My setup, from the fuse box as my car does have a phone and different connector - also mine is not a US car

[JFP in PA]

8 minutes ago, 318touring said:

My setup, from the fuse box as my car does have a phone and different connector - also mine is not a US car

 

If you check behind the center console, you will find the cell phone plug, all versions of the car had one, regardless of if they were equipped with the phone of not.  It is part of the standard wire harness.

[SabaDabaDoo]

To add a twist to things: I have a dash cam that is powered by the usual 5v usb that plugs into the 12v socket.

The problem here is if I am to hardwire it into the switched plug you kindly referred to, how to circumvent the difference in voltage?


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[JFP in PA]

Simple: Acquire and aftermarket lighter plug dongle and wire that to the phone plug; then just plug in your adaptor and you are set.

 

or

 

[SabaDabaDoo]

Thank you so much
I pulled out the cassette holder and was able to fish out that phone plug, then used tiny alligator clamps to access the switched and ground wires...worked like a charm.

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