Hardwiring Detector...blown fuses.

[MikeyboyTSi]

For about a year, I've had my Valentine V1 hardwired directly to the power line on the radio, giving me constant 12V power to detector. I've had absolutely NO problems whatsoever with it. Today, I wanted to install a switch to control the power line to the detector. I got the switch mounted in place, wired everything up, and now I'm blowing radio fuses like there's no tomorrow. The switch I'm using has 3 connections, one for 12V power (from the radio power line), one switched on (to the detector), and one ground (it's a lighted switch...don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it is properly grounded). I can bypass the switch (I used those 1/4" quick-disconnects), and everything works just dandily. However, as soon as I wire the switch into the circuit, I blow a fuse immediately. Is this because I'm trying to use a lighted switch? Would a non-lighted switch do the same? I'm really kinda lost as to why I'm blowing fuses, and could definitely use some insight.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

[Quest]

Does the fuse pop immediately? If it does, it sounds like you have the ground wire hooked up to the wrong lead.

[tredawg]

Before I start, I have one question for you, Why don't you wire up the detector to come on when you turn the car to the accessory position? If your already behind the radio, just use the grey wire instead of the blue/yellow wire. It's much more simple and you don't have to use a switch!


The way to wire this switch up anyways:

Brief explanation of the switch:
The switch has three terminals. Two of the terminals are just a normal on off switch. The third, is the light turn on, which would need to be a ground in your case. Of the two other terminals, one would need 12v Power and the other would need the power lead to the detector. The switch would just break the power wire on and off.

Wiring it up:

1. Keep your dectector grounded to the same wire.

2. Cut the wire you had running constant power to the detector.

3. Find out which terminal on the switch is the (+/-) light turn on. The switch should have this symbol "(+/-)" next to the terminal that is the light turn on. Ground that terminal. If you cannot figure out which one it is, take a testlight or meter and stick one side to ground, and put the constant 12v to one of the terminals on the switch. Flick the switch back and forth and use the test light to determine which one of the other terminals is being powered. When you find out which one it is, put the radar power lead to this one, and ground the only one left.