Add a Circuit Question (2012 Tacoma TRD)

Hello! ... I might be in over my head on a "seem to be" simple project =/


Today I decided to hard wire my radar detector(DFR7) that is installed with a mirror mount to the fuse box to the bottom left of the driver side. I ran the cord in the header and I removed the paneling in between the windshield and driver side window to hide the wire. Once at the fuse box I realized that my "add a circuit" is for the mini and not for the mini-low profile one that I need now.

Question 1: Will the last link (Mini low Profile Add a Circuit) work for the original wiring that I have? I can't see the female side of the cable and I simply don't know..

Question 2: Someone mentioned in another thread that they plugged their radar detector into the ignition fuse(15). Is this a good idea or should I plug it into something else?

The Wiring:

$10 Direct Hard Wire Cord for Uniden LRD850,LRD950,DFR6,DFR7,DFR8,DFR9,R1,R3 & R7

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018RBBWWS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Original Add a Circuit:

Radar Mount Direct Wire Radar Detector Fusebox Add a Circuit Kit - Mini Blade

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UB9W92C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The New Add a Circuit I Plan on Buying:

$8 Auto Car Add a Circuit/Add a Fuse Mini Low Profile ATM TAP Fuse Holder Automotive

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO571Z4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1UOBWSFLOXPFW&psc=1

Thank you for taking the time to read all this!!
As this is me ->

 

From the Add-a-fuses that I have ordered there is normally a butt splice connector on the end of the wire. It looks like the detector cable uses an insulated female blade connector for the power connection. You can either cut the female blade off, strip the wire, and crimp it to the butt splice OR cut the butt splice off, crimp on a male blade connector, and mate it to the female blade. These crimps can be found at a hardware store. A low end crimp tool runs about $10, or get a kit with the tool and an assortment of crimps for a few bucks more. Soldering and heat shrink tubing the wire is also an option but probably overkill for this application. Whichever method you choose just make sure there is no exposed wiring which could short to something.

Good call on not installing the mini add-a-fuse and ordering the LP mini instead. I have read the mini's longer blades can damage the fuse location.

For the fuse location you'll want to select one which isn't powered when the truck is off (so the radar detector is not always on since that could eventually drain your battery). You might need to do trial and error to find a suitable fuse location to use. If you have a volt meter probe the fuse and it should read ~0Vdc, referenced to chassis, when the truck is off. Otherwise plug the radar detector into a fuse location and verify it doesn't power up with the truck off.

 

Thanks for the reply! I bought a T-Tap connector and clamped it onto the "add-a-wire" then connected the RD's hardwire kit directly into the T-Tap. I used the 7.5 ACC fuse. I believe it shuts on/off with ignition; however, I turned on the auto power down option on the RD. Thanks again for the help and the reply!!

 

Glad to hear you got it figured out.