Added a hard mount for my radar and tapped the mirror power

Howdy all!
Just thought I would pass this along for the next person hard wiring their radar.

I went to blendmount.com and picked up a mount for my Escort. They were helpful on the phone to ensure I purchased the right items. I also used their 'MirrorTap' Toy-012 to tap the 2016 Mirror.

Wiring was pretty simple. Only 3 wires on the mirror and the mirrortap uses slim connectors that slide into the exiting harness without the need for splicing. I don't have homelink on my TRD Off-Road. The pin-1 is switched power, the pin on the farthest right is ground. The 2nd Row Pin on the factory harness is always on power.

Here are the part numbers I used:

MirrorTap, Radar Detector Power Cord With Inline Fuse, Toyota,Mirror ID-TOY-012
Cord Length: 12"
MT-2012 1 $29.99 $29.99


BlendMount® Radar Detector Mount for Escort/Beltronics,Toyota,ID-TOY-012,Standard 2000R Series
Radar Brand: Escort; Radar Model: Passport 8500 X50 Blue/Red (Vehicle Year/Model: 2016)
Pics attached. I didn't snip the zip-ties yet but its a clean way to install a radar. Very sturdy and stealthy.

 

Very nice.
Thank you.

 

Wow awesome job. I have the same detector.

 

OP, quick question was the 12 inch cable the right length or would the 9 inch be enough?

 

I've got the same setup with my Valentine 1, 9" is the way to go. Shorter would be even better - I have mine wrapped around the main blendmount arm twice.

 

So you're not using smartcord?

 

No. No need for any additional cords. I went with the 12" instead of the 9" cable and I'm fine with it. You may get a 9" to work. I'd rather have extra than not enough.

 

Any one know if they have a mirror tap with a charging head for a gopro or similar?

 

I, too, am interested if this would work to tap into switched power or always on power for various dashcams....as opposed to running wires thru headliner, pillar etc.

Joe

 

GoPro runs on USB 5V@1A, you'd need something like this.

 

I did the same thing with my Valentine 1 but I went the Amazon route and got the wiring way cheaper

$20 Radar Mount Mirror Wire Power Cord for Escort Radar Detectors With Inline Fuse RJ11 (3005201)

http://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-M...+Mirror+Wire+Power+Cord+with+Inline+Fuse+RJ11

If you have the tools already, you can make this wiring connector for about $3 all it takes is the connector crimping tool, phone line connector, and red/black wire.

 

Wondering if there might be a way to power both a radar detector and GoPro at the same time from the mirror connection without overloading it?

Any suggestions?

 

For my mobius dash cam mounted on the gopro mount, I run a mini usb cable from the headliner to the pillar (remove the pillar plastic cover to run the cable behind it) and drop the cable down to the right of the glove box, from there I run the cable under the underside of the dash by the passengers feet held by zip ties, along the right side of the center console just stuffed in the plastic/fabric gap, then into the center console arm rest. There are 2 bolts in the arm rest you and remove to pull the rear up a bit, make a couple small cuts to make one of the holes a little bigger to fit the USB through and then plug into the adapter there.

Running the camera and the radar along with the mirror dimming/gps link I think you would blow a fuse all the time.

 

This is how I ran the wires

The hardest part was dropping the wire from the pillar to the bottom of the glove box, was a tight space.

 

DRJ1014: Thats for your solution on this.

Much appreciated.

 

Use small zip ties and when you run the cable behind the pillar, zip tie the USB cable to the existing cables being held in by clips, dont zip tie it to the airbag though and dont unplug any connectors.

There is a black plastic clip in attached to the pillar cover you have to turn a specific way in order to get it released (from what I remember... Or this could be on the camry, I did this same setup to my GFs Camry at the same time)

So if you take it off and you dont see this black clip, it was on the camry

I used a 15ft cable and had roughly 2 1/2 feet extra I had to coil and zip tie tight under the glove box.

 

I think it would be pretty easy to tap that power source to control a relay or transistor to feed additional power

This is the route I would go for a USB device (gopro or dashcam). I am seriously debating getting a dashcam for my Taco and may go this route. You can stash the 12v -> 5v convertor under some trim I would wager. It would be nice if you could just hardwire 12v.

 

Of course in California probably will be illegal like hell.

 

Did you have any problems securing the connectors in the terminal for a snug fit? The mirror taps I have don't want to seat in, therefor the radar isn't getting any power. Hmm..

 

Been a while since I did mine, but I do recall it being a bit fidgety. Try all 4 sides of the wire inside of the connector. Eventually, you'll feel it slide in.