Hardwiring Escort, polarity?

**Rockclimbersh** · 11-29-2008 07:32 AM

Sorry for the goofy question and yes I've searched. I bought a universal hardwire kit at best buy and it's got multiple attachments for different types of radar detector. The back of the box says you can attach these in a manner to make the the tip positive polarity or reverse it for negative polarity. It also says if you do it wrong you fry your detector...but doesn't say which type of polarity each of the detectors need. I have an Escort 8500 X50 that I don't want to fry. Any ideas? Should i just get the Escort model? How do I tell what type of polarity it wants? Thanks!

**EBG 18T** · 11-29-2008 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Rockclimbersh

Sorry for the goofy question and yes I've searched. I bought a universal hardwire kit at best buy and it's got multiple attachments for different types of radar detector. The back of the box says you can attach these in a manner to make the the tip positive polarity or reverse it for negative polarity. It also says if you do it wrong you fry your detector...but doesn't say which type of polarity each of the detectors need. I have an Escort 8500 X50 that I don't want to fry. Any ideas? Should i just get the Escort model? How do I tell what type of polarity it wants? Thanks!

I usually use the OEM hardwire kit (many universal kits don't have the phone cord style connector). Then get some fuse taps from radio shack and that will make it easy. I used fuse taps on both cars. Works perfect.

**doublezero30** · 11-29-2008 02:04 PM

look in the manual. it should tell you. dont fuck this up, i fried mine doing this. lol was only a cobra but still $140 down the drain.

or you could do trial and error and hook it up one way, and if the radar detector doesnt turn on the SECOND you turn your key on, shut it off and try it the other way. (i am not responsible if you mess your shit up if you do this though lol)

**nihil** · 11-29-2008 02:09 PM

Or you could use a meter and do it right the first time...

**Rockclimbersh** · 11-29-2008 02:43 PM

or I could ask which way it is supposed to be and do it that way in case I don't have a meter....

either way, I decided to buy the OEM kit since it wasn't that much more expensive and included all the hardware and had a mute button. I just installed it and it's really nice, I mounted the mute button on the steering column below my cruise control stalk. Good mod.