Radar detector for model 3

[tatties]

i just installed my uniden R3 and ran wire to the 12v switched power in the left kick panel. works amazing.

 

[rebelkt]

Is there power above the mirror that can be tapped into? This is how I have mounted my Escort in other cars.

 

[surfrasch]

Is there power above the mirror that can be tapped into? This is how I have mounted my Escort in other cars.

Pretty sure the mirror isn't recommended in the 3, not a switched 12V for some reason? The 12V hookup isn't easy in this car, but is possible. Here's a thread I had started weeks ago to get mine hooked up......did it in left kick panel.

12v wire tap for Radar Detector

 

[Flyguyaaron]

Update, I used a power pack to power the radar detector and the cars USB to charge the power pack, it’s a little finicky but seems to work, will order the mount and updated how well it works

Quick update, I did the same as this thread, my detector (escort 360) not getting enough power from the front usb to cigarette lighter adapter, but using a power pack does work, but my power pack doesn’t seem to be strong enough to power for more than one trip, will look into better power packs with “throughput” capability. Running it currently from the backseat USB with an extender and the cigerlighter adapter

 

[rideincircles]

I need to look into this. Almost got nailed by a motorcycle cop after my first day back home from 3.5 weeks in Europe on the way to work. I was doing 85 in a 65 so was an easy ticket, but he sat there and did nothing even though he was holding his radar gun. This ultimately would be cheaper than getting tickets.

 

[Kbra]

Might want to consider a powerbank with passthru

 

[Flyguyaaron]

I ended up getting the straight power cord for the lighter plug, pulled the side panel off the center console and ran the wire that way, worked out well. Here is where the wire comes up to run behind the screen

 

[Kbra]

I finally got around to documenting my radar install to the switched 12v near vleft. Ended up using the blendmount for a high position (greater range they say) and am really happy how it turned out. I'm hearing reports that the recent software updates have stopped switching the usb and 12v cigarette lighter ports on and off, which means your radar never turns off if you use those ports. Any else seeing that?

How to Hard Wire Install a Radar Detector to the Tesla Model 3 | LivingTesla

 

[bradhs]

My 12V outlet seems to stay on all the time now. What's wrong with tapping the mirror?

 

[ModelNforNerd]

I think perhaps the issue would be that they are illegal in some states so they would have to be disabled for sales in those States (certainly possible) but could be a pain.

They're only illegal in Virginia and DC now (and some provinces in Canada). They could treat it the same way they treat the front plate mount: make it available as an option where required.

 

[Kbra]

My 12V outlet seems to stay on all the time now. What's wrong with tapping the mirror?

I did it in my S but there's no available switched source in the 3. There is constant, useful for dashcam.

 

[bradhs]

What about the leads that power the rear view mirror?

I did it in my S but there's no available switched source in the 3. There is constant, useful for dashcam.

 

[st_o_p]

My 12V outlet seems to stay on all the time now. What's wrong with tapping the mirror?

I kind of experienced that too.
I tapped the "switched" power wire for the power outlet (huge thanks for the instructions in those 2 threads btw). Then I find out it doesn't turn itself off (cause Tesla modified it that way with one of the past software updates).

However I found out that:
1. The power does go off after some time (40 min??). Either that or my radar detector has some kind of auto-off feature. I certainly find it off the next morning. And
2. Someone posted that with the latest software update - now the power goes off again. Apparently it was because of Sentry mode and they refined that so as not to keep the power on. I didn't verify that myself.
In any case the setup works - and I don't need to manually turn my detector off.