Valentine One Hardwire

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

Good afternoon everyone. I took delivery of my 2022 CT4V BW about 6 weeks ago, loving the car so far. Over this past weekend, I went to hardwire my Valentine One Gen 2 radar detector with a fuse tap to the cabin fuses (near drivers door). However, when I broke out the voltmeter, it seems that all fuses are hot even when the car is not in accessory mode on (e.g. the fuse for the heated steering wheel reads 12v when the car is completely off).

Long story short, has anyone hardwired a radar detector into the car? If so, what fuse did you use?

Thank you,
Ian

1Evil55 · Apr 25, 2022

Not sure if this has anything to do with it but trying to help, were your keys in range still? My settings are so when the car recognizes the FOB outside lights go on and I assume other accessories too. Otherwise might need to look for a different block to get your feed from.

Daijoubu · Apr 25, 2022

Very likely that the door being open has something to do with it as well. What I would do is install the fuse tap with a couple of long leads and stick them out the window. Close the door (and get the key far away), wait 30 minutes and test again to see if it's still hot. Not a quick process, but you might be able to guess correctly.

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

Daijoubu said:
Very likely that the door being open has something to do with it as well. What I would do is install the fuse tap with a couple of long leads and stick them out the window. Close the door (and get the key far away), wait 30 minutes and test again to see if it's still hot. Not a quick process, but you might be able to guess correctly.

Great point. This was next on my list - checking to see if anyone had done this before me to I could shortcut this part of the process. Keys sit in the garage only 10 ft away so could be interference there as well.

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

1Evil55 said:
Not sure if this has anything to do with it but trying to help, were your keys in range still? My settings are so when the car recognizes the FOB outside lights go on and I assume other accessories too. Otherwise might need to look for a different block to get your feed from.

Keys were far enough for no auto lights. I was wondering if the car sends power for 10-15 minutes to the fuses. Will probably need to test it and just leave things on for ~15 minutes.

Daijoubu · Apr 25, 2022

skivolkl3 said:
Keys were far enough for no auto lights. I was wondering if the car sends power for 10-15 minutes to the fuses. Will probably need to test it and just leave things on for ~15 minutes.

I don't even have a car yet, so how is the space in the fuse panel for fitting a fuse tap? Is there enough space?

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

Daijoubu said:
I don't even have a car yet, so how is the space in the fuse panel for fitting a fuse tap? Is there enough space?

Yes. You need a micro fuse tap. The full size fuses are three blade which I had not seen before.

Daijoubu · Apr 25, 2022

skivolkl3 said:
Yes. You need a micro fuse tap. The full size fuses are three blade which I had not seen before.

I thought the only 3 blade fuses were Micro3. Full size should be ATO size.

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

Daijoubu said:
I thought the only 3 blade fuses were Micro3. Full size should be ATO size.

To clarify, using a microfuse tap works with a normal two blade micro. There are also a number of Micro3 - I have not seen any fuse taps for Micro3 so I elected to use the standard micro. The interesting part is the entire fusebox in the passenger compartment was hot when I checked it, quite surprising.

dribs15 · Apr 25, 2022

skivolkl3 said:
To clarify, using a microfuse tap works with a normal two blade micro. There are also a number of Micro3 - I have not seen any fuse taps for Micro3 so I elected to use the standard micro. The interesting part is the entire fusebox in the passenger compartment was hot when I checked it, quite surprising.

I remember wiring my escort through my rear view mirror on both of my ss's...

burn813 · Apr 25, 2022

I personally suggest the Mirror tap (clickable amazon link) option and hardwire it that way, much easier and no need to try to run wire all the way to the fuse panel

skivolkl3 · Apr 25, 2022

burn813 said:
I personally suggest the Mirror tap (clickable amazon link) option and hardwire it that way, much easier and no need to try to run wire all the way to the fuse panel

Thanks for the suggestion, may be the way to go.

burn813 · Apr 25, 2022

I did that and a blend mount, took me about 15-20 minutes to install and it looks very professional

John · Apr 25, 2022

Reach out to Gen5DIY.com | Home of all your do it yourself needs I don't see anything listed under CT5 but the mirror might be similar to other GM vehicles.
They make a nice plug and play harness for most GM stuff. I recently used one in my 2500HD.

Daijoubu · Apr 25, 2022

Not trying to veer too far off course here, but since we are talking fuses. Can anyone here with a CT5V BW verify the fuse type for the exhaust valves? I ordered a Mild 2 Wild fuse switch for it, but I probably got the wrong one. I think the C8 version might be the same (Micro3) as the BW.

SOP · Apr 25, 2022

Mirror tap all the way if available. So easy, cheap and quick

dribs15 · Apr 25, 2022

Yeah, what they said. Mirror tap and blend mount is what I used.

burn813 · Apr 26, 2022

Daijoubu said:
Not trying to veer too far off course here, but since we are talking fuses. Can anyone here with a CT5V BW verify the fuse type for the exhaust valves? I ordered a Mild 2 Wild fuse switch for it, but I probably got the wrong one. I think the C8 version might be the same (Micro3) as the BW.

why would you need this?

Daijoubu · Apr 26, 2022

Pulling the fuse fully opens the exhaust valves. Even in the most "open" mode the valves will still be slightly closed unless above a certain RPM. That is, unless this is different than every other GM V8 car with valved exhaust in the past 20 years or so. It's only $100 so just going to give it a try.