DIY Valentine 1 Radar Detector

[furg979]

These instructions are for a 2012 Focus with auto rain sensor...if your focus doesn't have it, you can try the other wires, but you will have to do it by trial and error yourself





What you need

1) Valentine 1 and direct wire kit:
https://store.valentine1.com/store/partsdept.asp

2) Wire Splicer ($1.89 at Autozone)


3) Mounting Bracket: This is what most people are missing, the owner of this trophy store near Ford WHQ made this bracket for his corvette, but it till also work in the Focus. I use the C6 Visor V1 Mount Corvette C6 Radar Mounting Bracket.
http://greatlakestrophy.securesites....nting+Bracket/ I can't believe it cost $25, but i guess that's what happens with niche monopolys

You'll have to do a little bending, but it works


Step 1: Make sure the power is off on your car (safety first)

Step 2: Remove the plastic case behind the mirror

Once you get the plastic cover off, you'll see the wire to the auto rain sensor: If your focus does not have a rain sensor...



Step 3: Unplug the wires to rain sensor, makes working easier.

Step 4: You can shorten (cut) your power (red) and ground (black) wires of your direct Valentine 1 power adaptor. The reason your cutting is because you have limited space in the plastic housing. (sorry no picture)

Step 5: Splice the ground wire of the valentine 1 with the ground wire of auto rain sensor (black and white wire)

Step 6: Splice the power wire of the valentine 1 with the power wire of the auto rain sensor (brownish color)


If your tech junkies...this is the electrical diagram of the 2012 Focus Mirror


Black&White Wire is Ground
Brown Wire is Power (At first I thought it was always "on", but the power will eventually turn off after like an hour)
Blue Wire (is not used...I tried)

Step 7: Mount your C6 Bracket, the screw requires an Allen wrench to remove, I bought a longer screw from Lowe's, but you could also file down the plastic visor and use the original screw

Step 8: I have the optional concealed radar screen, which i ran the cable down the A-Pillar:


This was alot of typing, and I probably left some details out, i'll visit now and then and try to answer any questions you might have.

Good luck!

[Sponsor]

[TiStick]

I had that bracket in my C5Z! I've been looking into ways of bending it out to use in my Ti.

Nice post!

[engine ear]

Cool. I just use the suction cups and had a tech friend hard wire it to the fuse panel. Either way, the V1 rocks!