Has anyone hardwired a Valentine1 into their MDX?

5418 Views 28 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Markedoc, Feb 23, 2002

Paul S.

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2002

I would like to hardwire a V-1 into my wife's MDX. (She seems to enjoy how fast it can go) I can see pushing the wire under the headliner at the top of the windshield then coming down the A-pillar. I don't see any extra "power studs" near the fuse box. (My allroad has auxiliary power studs next to the fuse box for electronic "add ons") I'm not thrilled with the method of wrapping the wire around an existing fuse. As an option, I could buy a really long cord (V-1 uses regular phone cord) and run it to the power socket in the center storage bin. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

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cardingtr

· #2 · Jan 30, 2002

I hardwired my V-1 from headliner down to A-pillar but..I used the existing fuse for rear wiper because that is the least fuse I use. So far no problem the install is very clean, I will post the pics as soon as I could. I'm out of town for two days so Friday

If only I have a splicer(?) that can expose the wire for rear view dimmer, I should have used it.

Stargazer

· #3 · Jan 30, 2002

You should be able to do down to your local auto parts store and buy something called a "circuit splitter" or "piggyback fuse connector." It allows you to add another device to an existing fuse position.

That's what I did to hardwire the V1 in my other car. I just cut the spade connector off the V1 hardwire kit and attached the wire to the circuit splitter. You can see what the circuit splitter looks like in the picture below:

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Paul S.

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 30, 2002

Stargazer, thanks so much!

That looks like a great idea.

MDXLooker

· #5 · Jan 31, 2002

Where did you pick up your V-1?

I'm anxiously waiting for delivery of my MDX, and when I finally
get a solid date, I'm going to invest in a radar dectector.

Where did all of you pick of the Valentine 1?? I'm hoping you can
tell me a way to beat list price, as it just kills me to pay full list
for the "X"...

Any suggestions??

Paul S.

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 31, 2002

Can only buy a Valentine 1 from the manufacturer

You can call them at 1-800-331-3030 or their website is www.valentine1.com. The cost is $399. The only way to get a cost break is if you're trading in an old V-1 model. I recently sent back a 10 year old V-1 and paid $229 for a new one.

Phinphan

· #7 · Jan 31, 2002

How do you get behind the a-pillar to run the wire. I can't figure out how to get it off (and put it back on)

cardingtr

· #8 · Feb 2, 2002

Here's the pics

here's how the wiring ends from headliner to the trim. I simply tuck it in.

cardingtr

· #9 · Feb 2, 2002

Opps..here the pictures. the arrows are the wirings are.

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Phinphan

· #10 · Feb 2, 2002

I see how you get it to go under the flexible trim, but I am already running a microphone for my cell speaker phone under there and did not want to run another wire under that same trim. Hopefully there is a way to get the A-Pillar cover off.

cardingtr

· #11 · Feb 2, 2002

I simply push it in the plastic panel where the arrows are then peeled up the trim to run the wires down. You can see the wire where the headliner and A-pillar plastic panel meets. But thats the only wire I can see.
Didn't even notice a bulge on the trim.

cardingtr

· #12 · Feb 2, 2002

here..

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cardingtr

· #13 · Feb 2, 2002

here is where I inserted it to the kick panel to the fuse..the hard part is when running the wires through the trim where the arrow shows, theres not much working space for your hand. I used a bended fork.

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cardingtr

· #14 · Feb 2, 2002

OK..last one

from the driver's seat. No hanging wires whatsoever. I installed it just below the shaded part. Only gripe is when I flip the visor out in the morning sun it will hit the radar detector but I can live with that.

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William F. Stew

· #15 · Feb 2, 2002

cardingtr
Off the subject a bit, but what type of camera did you use here?
Grays are a good indicator of how good the camera is..

Phinphan

· #16 · Feb 2, 2002

I see how you did it. I am using the same wiring technique for my cell phone microphone. Nice clean install. What did you hardwire it into?

Markedoc

· #17 · Feb 2, 2002

Can't the radar detector be wired into the overhead console? That's where I wired my BMW. Anyone try this with the MDX?

cardingtr

· #18 · Feb 3, 2002

William F. Stew said:
cardingtr
Off the subject a bit, but what type of camera did you use here?
Grays are a good indicator of how good the camera is..

Olympus Camedia 360(?) can't remember! Actually I adjusted the colors using Picture It software.

cardingtr

· #19 · Feb 3, 2002

Markedoc said:
Can't the radar detector be wired into the overhead console? That's where I wired my BMW. Anyone try this with the MDX?

If I have to do it again with the right tools, tapping the wires for rear-view mirror dimmer might be easier. Remove the cap at the base of the rear-view to expose the wires.

cardingtr

· #20 · Feb 3, 2002

Phinphan said:
I see how you did it. I am using the same wiring technique for my cell phone microphone. Nice clean install. What did you hardwire it into?

I tapped the fuse for rear wiper.
Advantage: Used less often

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