X K Ka Laser Detector (220-1653) Installation Faxback Doc. # 7224 Mounting Guidelines For the best performance, select a location for the detector where it has a direct view of the road from the front and rear. The antenna and laser lens in the detector are at the opposite end from the display and buttons. Note these guidelines when selecting a location. Mount the detector in a level position. You can mount the detector upside down, if this provides a clearer view of the road. See "Inverting the Display" on page 13 to turn over the display. Since metal surfaces block signals, windshield antennas, wiper blades, ornaments, or metallic sunscreens must not block the detector's view of the road. Some vehicles have Instaclear or ElectriClear type windshield coatings that block signals. General Motor's APV vans have a Solar Shield that keeps the vehicle cooler during the summer, but coatings can also block signals. A detector installed in a vehicle with any of these features will probably not detect a signal. Since window tinting reduces the laser's strength, you should not mount the detector behind any tinted glass. CAUTION: Whichever mounting method you choose, place the detector out of view when you leave the vehicle. This keeps the detector out of thieves' sight and prevents exposing it to extremely high temperatures, which can temporarily impair your detector's performance. Hook-And-Loop Mounting The hook-and-loop fastener lets you securely mount the detector on the dash, yet allows you to easily remove the detector for safekeeping. Determine the detector's exact mounting location. Then follow these steps to secure the detector. 1. Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Allow it to completely dry. 2. With both pieces of the hook-and-loop fastener still attached to each other, peel the backing off one piece and press it onto the bottom of the detector. NOTE: Do not place the hook-and-loop fastener over the detector's serial number. 3. Peel the backing off the other piece of the hook-and-loop fastener and press the detector onto the desired location. Visor Mounting The visor bracket lets you quickly mount the detector on your vehicle's sunvisor. Follow these steps to use the visor mount. 1. Snap the bracket onto the detector's mounting slot. 2. Slide the visor mount into the bracket and clip the radar detector over the back of the sunvisor. Suction-Cup Mounting Follow these steps to mount the detector on the windshield using the supplied suction cups. 1. Place both thumbs on the visor clip and push it out of the bracket assembly. 2. Align the groove in each suction cup base with each slot in the windshield bracket and slide them outward until they lock into place. 3. Clean the selected windshield area. 4. Press the bracket onto the windshield. 5. Adjust the base plate until it is level. Then tighten the screw on the bottom of the base plate to prevent it from moving. 6. Snap the bracket onto the detector. Then slide the bracket onto the base plate. NOTE: Some vehicles have a plastic coating on the inside of the windshield to protect passengers in case of an accident. The suction-cup bracket can permanently scratch this coating. Connecting Power Plug the supplied coiled or straight power cord's short barrel plug into the detector's power jack and the longer barrel plug into the cigarette- lighter adapter. Then plug the cord's cigarette-lighter plug into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket. When you unplug the detector, be sure to unplug the power cord from the cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it from the detector. This prevents you from accidentally shorting the power cord and blowing its fuse. NOTES: If the cigarette-lighter socket has power even when the vehicle's ignition key is turned off, be sure to turn off or unplug the detector when you turn off your vehicle. If the detector occasionally turns off and on, be sure the cigarette-lighter socket is clean and the cigarette-lighter plug is fully inserted. Periodically check the collar securing the cigarette-lighter plug's tip to be sure it is tight. Use only with a 12-Volt, negative-ground electrical system. Replacing the Fuse If the detector stops operating, check the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug. If it has blown, follow these steps to replace it: 1. Carefully unscrew the collar securing the plug's tip. CAUTION: The plug has a spring that can fly out when you remove the tip. Take care not to lose the spring. 2. Remove the fuse from the plug. NOTE: Do not remove the spring under the fuse. 3. Replace the fuse with a 1-amp, 5 x 20-mm, fast-acting fuse (Radio Shack Cat. No. 270-1049). CAUTION: Using a fuse that does not meet these ratings or defeating the fuse protection can damage your detector, the power cable, or the vehicle's electrical system. 4. Screw the tip into place. (ALL-9/15/94)