Radar Detector & Brake Light Pulsar

[Duffer]

Does anyone know of an electronics or car stereo installer in the Triad that has experience with MINI's. I'm going to need someone to install these items after my car arrives.

[BlimeyCabrio]

I know of some club members who would do a better and more expert job for a 6-pack. :)

I've done both these things myself and it's not hard - lots of easy to follow DIY instructions on northamericanmotoring.com

[Duffer]

Any of them live near Burlington? I'll bring the beer!

What about clear bra's? Would that require a case? :p

[MINI Rog]

There are a number of us in Burlington but am not sure if any are adept at installing these items. The instructions for the brake light pulsar look to be pretty easy, not sure about the radar detector. Welcome to the group, look forward to having another MINI in the Burlington area (I think we have at least 12 now).

[BlimeyCabrio]

I'm sure there are some near Burlington... if nobody chimes in, we'll work something out. :)

Clearbra is a whole different animal... I'd leave that to a pro - Bruce (the guy that Flow uses) does a good job. And what they charge is (while not cheap) pretty competitive... or at least it was a year ago.

[Duffer]

I may attempt to do the electronics myself, but the clear bra is way out of my league. It's good to hear that Bruce is good. My MA at Flow has said that they have a vendor that would do the electronics work, but he hasn't provided any other info.

I wanted to know if that vendor had done any of these installs. If they're going to use a DIY for the 1st time, I could do that myself.

[TWISTER]

I can do the pulsar in about 10 min or less

[BlimeyCabrio]

For the radar detector, just depends on what you're using and how sophisticated you want your install to be. I have a Valentine One with both the remote display and the remote audio/power control - headunit is mounted over my rearview mirror, display on my steering column, audio/power in front of my right knee, headunit is felt wrapped so it doesn't look very much like a radar detector, all cables are out of sight, system is hardwired into switched power so it comes on when the car is started and off when the car is turned off. All this is pretty easy with the Valentine system - it's built for this level of installation and comes with a great hardwire kit. But the V1 isn't cheap and it isn't for everyone...

I've also hardwired Whistler units into other cars in the past.

So I'm pretty confident we can make whatever you want work out just fine. And I work cheap. Though sometimes it's a little hard to get into my schedule. ;)

[Duffer]

My plan is to use the DIY on NAM to mount the full unit (not remote) above the left side of the rear view mirror. According to the DIY there is adequate room there, but I'm not clear if it impedes the driver side visor. The power cord is hardwired into the center panel in the roof.

Incidentally I also have the V1 detector without the remote.

[DSRH]

I just installed my V1 on the left of the rear view mirror, I routed the wires down the drivers side pillar to the fuse panel. I followed the NAMM install with pictures. I bought an add a circut at Autozone for 6 bucks and installed the 5 amp fuse. If you use fuse number 36 like in the NAMM install..the defroster fuse, the unit will go on and off with your ignition ley...I stuck the direct wire box inthe side of the dash in the compartment on the drivers door side...it turned out great. I tucked the wire under the headliner and nothing was removed except the fuse panel door and dash door on the side of the dash. I plan to put pictures on my web log when my social and work life permit! I am backed up on my blogging....but I will catch up...still sorting pictures from 2 weeks ago...love my V1 install...I am not into cutting wires...this install clips right into the fuse box...and yes I also did my go mini go pulsar install too...I have pics of that coming. The biggest problem is the tiny wires to the light. they are difficult to strip because they are so small...my strippers were too big so I had to use a set of plier type to strip the wires..other than that it is a pretty quick job as Mark said.

[Duffer]

I routed the wires down the drivers side pillar to the fuse panel.

I like the idea of hardwiring it your way, but you must have used a different DIY, because the one I looked connects into the toggle switch panel in the roof. Unfortunately with this method the detector does not power down immediately when the ignition is switched off.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Yeah, you definitely want to tap into switched power, IMHO. And I'm a BIG fan of using the hardwire kit with the little hardwire adapter down under the dash - so it's EASY to add the remote later if you decide you want it (it's a wonderful thing to have, with that high detector mount. Mounting the flat power cable down the a-pillar is EZ - at least it was in the R52/R53.

[Duffer]

Thanks, I'll go back to NAM to see if can find that DIY.

[DSRH]

Thanks, I'll go back to NAM to see if can find that DIY.


http://www.jwardell.com/mini/fusetap.html

That is a picture of the direct wire in the fuse panel...you can fish the wire down the side pillar to the opening in the side of the dash to the fuse panel. The part shown is available at autozone.

also there are quite a few threads on namm searching valentine 1 install:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/search.php?searchid=3293666

There are many ways to do this. I just like this one. Like Blimey said if you want to install the remote display this one is cool because that connector box can go in the opening in the side panel of the dash with plenty of room to spare and you can see nothing when the cover is on...a nice sweet install...for the 2007 cars there is a different panel overhead and there is a namm thread with pictures for that particular install. It calls for tapping the mirror dimmer wire. This panel is not the same on the R53 2006...I will get my web log updated this week with more information. I have at least a dozen pictures and events to add...including 3 recent mods and a couple of things we just did...