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Wiring a Radar Detector to a Switch

I have wired my radar detector to my car to a 12 volt cigarette lighter, I installed a toggle switch, with two prongs, every-time that I turn the toggle switch off, it blows the 2 amp fuse…


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Wiring a Switch for a Car Radar Detector
[ad#block]Question: I have wired my radar detector to my car to a 12 volt cigarette lighter that I wired to my radio fuse so that it only turns on when i turn the ignition on.  I installed a toggle switch, with two prongs (positive and negative) so that when i turn my car on i can then turn the radar detector on and off. however every-time that I turn the toggle switch off, it blows the 2 amp fuse that is in the tip of the cigarette lighter plug in, I am sure its the right fuse and I cannot understand why it keeps blowing? when i turn the ignition on the radar turns on, then once i switch the toggle it turns off, but wont turn back on and the fuse blows. Any ideas?
Thanks!

This electrical question came from: Jeff, a Homeowner from Vancouver, Canada.
See more about Home Wiring for Canada

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Jeff.

Wiring a Switch for a Radar Detector

Jeff, when wiring a toggle switch for the radar detector it is not necessary to wire the negative wire to the switch. What is happening with the way you wired the toggle switch is that you have created a direct short, or a direct path from the positive to the negative and this is causing the fuse to blow. The toggle switch should be wired  so that the positive enters one terminal and the other terminal is used for the positive wire to the radar detector. The negative wire for the radar detector should attach directly to the negative wire for the radar detector.

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Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

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Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
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The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
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Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
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The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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