Power Any Radar Detector via USB

[@Nick-ds6oc]

I ended up buying some USB-C 12v Power Delivery trigger boards. They're barely bigger than the USB-C port itself and essentially "tricks" a PD port into providing 12v. I then made a 6" RJ11 cable and soldered it to the PD trigger. Threw some wire loom/wrap around it and now it looks like it came from a factory. Pretty cheap, too!

[@royquitter]

USB-C devices are able to communicate with the charger and let it know what kind of power is needed. Without that, a lower level of power will be used for safety. That might be why the non-USB-C detectors don’t like being powered by your car’s USB-C port… it’s not that the car can’t supply enough power, but since it hasn’t heard from the detector, it defaults to a power level that is too low.

[@roots4x]

Usually using a USB-C to USB-A cable or adapter will fix this. You have to buy one specifically made one for charging, though. It will have some logic in there to provide full power. Also, it's possible some USB-C ports that don't support PD will not know how to handshake with the load (or adapter). It's a crapshoot.

[@fraliexb]

I wished more manufacturers would do magnetic power connectors.

[@Constabruity]

A mag mount that also supplies power? That might cost the manufacturer $5.00 more! How ludicrous!

[@cheythompson740]

I actually made my uniden dfr7 magnetic using a smart watch magnetic charger and opposing contacts, I've been meaning to put it all on RDF

[@Blue84Stang]

Thing is, magnets do fade over time, so a magnetic charger isn't the greatest idea. I have (well, had, they wore out/failed) the WSken magnetic X-Cable with a variety of micro USB and USB-C connectors, and they work well enough, until they don't.

[@fraliexb]

@@Blue84Stang I've never had a rare earth magnet lose its gripping power. And, I doubt most people will keep a radar detector long enough for that to happen. Also, doesn't Escort use magnetic mounts?

[@Blue84Stang]

@@fraliexb you think they'd spring for rare earth magnets? They have barely started using USB-C... There are some additional engineering challenges that can come with magnetic cables (like electromagnetic interference in the electronics), which can vary depending on how much power is being used within the device, the quality of the cable used (shielded vs unshielded cables, quality of the solder used, quality of the connectors used, etc). Like, even dashcams don't use magnetic cables, and instead will have mechanical connectors for reliability.

[@garywidom]

Struggling to pronounce the seller names is by far, the best part of this video. 😂

[@G-25684]

Agreed hilarious 😂

[@cynicsupreme]

The Ford bronco has a USB port right in the middle of the dash and the cable is about 6 inches long. Works perfectly with my R3. Sold by stickerfab. 5V Type A to 12V RJ11

[@ironmanballer4868]

I just got a new car and had this exact problem this looks promising as a solution. Thanks for the update very interesting.

[@yz250ftony]

Nearly all dc converters add electrical noise into the system whether it be on the ground or 5v/12v line. Built in usb ports generally have adequate filtering so it doesn't interfere with the cars other electronics but anything you plug into the car that changes the DC voltage will emit noise. Best route is to run the detector on the cars onboard 12v if the unit utilizes 12v. Aftermarket 12v-5v adapters of the switching style are pretty much bad across the board, especially the cheaper they are. using an lm7805 guarantees no additional noise. Other solutions would be adding ferrite beads or adding noise suppression chokes on both the + line and ground. LED light bars are incredibly bad with EM noise. plug-in USB adapters/light bars may cause your fm radio signal to drop (gain control adjusting for the elevated noise floor) or just become static. The detectors should have great DC filtering but i'd like to see if their performance changes at all with this noise going into them. TLDR: If you don't have to change voltages, don't. Background: RF technician repairing/tuning amplifiers, GROL + radar endorsement, other radio licensing and education

[@scb9]

Thanks for showing the USB option. Why do todays radar detectors still use the telephone jack which has to be taken in and out every time you get in and out of the car in my case, and the tab will eventually break off requiring the purchase of another one from the manufacturer for $25+++?

[@loseerich493]

I have the exact same issue. Have to take my detector down basically every time I leave my car. RJ connectors are not made to be plugged in & taken out over & over. Frustrating!

[@firekite]

Can you use a multimeter to check the voltage of the output contacts at the RJ11 end? And what the detector itself is showing for voltage when plugged into the brick? There are a few problems that CAN show up. First is that often these voltage converters put out exactly 12.0 Volts, and the small conductors used in the cord up to the RJ end result in significant voltage sag by the time it reaches the detector. This gets worse under load. Combine that with a USB port that can only put out 1A at 5V, factor in conversion losses, and you might be maxing out at say 0.6A on the RJ end with voltage that might be running pretty low, around 11V. Or a 500mA (0.5A) USB port will be something loke maybe 300mA (0.3A) on the 12V side. Detectors are generally low draw devices, but even they have minimums needed.

[@jaxonlyrics3430]

With my Uniden RJ11 Cable I’ve measured it and it outputs 12V.

[@tapetwo7115]

Your videos are always great. Thank you so much for the content, I’ve learn a lot!

[@ThePaulWinn]

Thanks for doing this. I was looking to see if my Uni R7 will power by USB as the cigarette lighter gave up on us yesterday. Was going to buy one of these cables, but didn't think my USB output would be high enough...this probably confirms it and i need to sort out my lighter!

[@JustSayN2O]

Thank you ! Great for traveling with my V1, and for applying / changing its settings at home. Will add to my next Amaz buy list.

[@JustSayN2O]

Update: I just read on the Amaz page, this customer's report. It explains the issue. I don't want to also have to bring along an "aftermarket power brick" (see 3:05) when I travel. So I will just buy the 1.6 foot cable for use at home. DOES NOT WORK Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023 At least for a Valentine1 on GM vehicles, this will deliver just enough watts to light up and make you think it’s working, but DOES NOT actually detect radar and alarm. Hopefully this will help other shoppers since there was no information when I was shopping. Keep reading if you’re curious why not. The cable does convert normal 5v USB to 12v RJ11, but Valentine1 radar detectors need 2.8watts minimum standby power, and up to 5.2watts max. At least for GM vehicles, USB output is only 500 mA (standard minimum for USB). That’s 2.5watts total power output. In case you’re wondering, this is also why GM ports will not charge a tablet, only your phone. Worse, it is just enough power to get the detector to light up, but it is incapable of actually detecting or alarming. A trip past the police station confirmed that, so I paid to have it patched into the fuse panel and wired up to pop out of the headliner just to the right of my rear view mirror. Now it alarms with 5+ guns detected at the station. Anyhow, it’s both an issue with GM and the cable, since the mfr advertises this for radar detectors and you’d only need one if your new vehicle ditched the 12v socket. So, I give it one star for misleading advertising. That said, if GM put out 2.4amps on USB (say, enough to charge an iPad), it’d probably work perfectly. If this cable were USB-C, that port might have more amps too. One alternative is to use an iPad power brick in the AC Inverter plug and run the wire from there. For me, it doesn’t reach, takes up too much space, and I just wanted a cleaner install and was willing to pay. Regardless, it’s really annoying that on such expensive vehicles GM ditched the 12v port but didn’t increase amps to the USB to still power peripherals like tablets (or radar detectors). It’s be even more annoying if I’d gotten a ticket because my radar detector looked like it was working but wasn’t.

[@PanzerPlatform]

BlackVue, Thinkware, iRoad, GNET, FineVu, and all the other South Korean Manufacturers that use proprietary barrel connectors are sweating nervously hearing you highlight the benefits of USB Type-C power connections. lol

[@VortexRadar]

lol

[@inthbiz57]

Is Uniden getting rid of the R7? Why no firmware updates? Can’t you ask your connection at Uniden?

[@VortexRadar]

It’s not going away. Firmware update release frequency always tends to slow down as a detector matures. If you want more features, there’s third party firmwares available.

[@jerry07dx55]

they do make a USB-C to RJ11 as well. Some cars have faster charging when USB-C is used. Just another option

[@VortexRadar]

Where are you seeing that cable? I’m only seeing the USB A versions, though you could always use an adapter with those.

[@kashjay5789]

If you had to buy one for your daily use would you choose the r4 or r7

[@VortexRadar]

R7 with 1.50 custom fw

[@kashjay5789]

@@VortexRadar Thank you, I’ll look into it!

[@Windows98R]

I do wonder how hard wire might be affected for non 12v cars. My Audi is 12v but my Tesla as far as I'm aware is one of the 16v cars so I got alot of warning notes from people about installing subs and amps and to keep that 16v system in mind or I likely will kill the accessories.

[@Knight_Glider]

Thanks for sharing I was looking at this setup a few months ago. By chance did you try the barrel connector on a BlackVue

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

The onboard USB ports definitely have a low voltage problem. Testing the usb output would be a good power supply video. Do you have a retail store in the PNW area?

[@jason258]

It's sad that RMR has gotten with the times and implemented USB-C while Uniden is using USB mini or micro. This cable is a pretty neat option though.

[@panaalexandru-mihai3552]

Is it safe to run a usb type A cable like the one you showed in the video? I mean in the long run. Is there any chance that it can go bad quicker or screw up the detector?

[@DavidZeiler6969]

I actually use the little remote controller that is on the cig plug. Otoh my new car (have not picked up yet has the cig plug under the glove cmpt so this is apt to be very useful thanks

[@dyinbreedband]

I've been running my original Redline via USB for 4 years. Purchased an adapter to do it, was $10.

[@davidbrugger292]

I bought the same one you have for my R-7. Everything works except for the volts display on the detector. It stays on a constant voltage.

[@adriftatlas]

If one already has a multiport USB-C PD charger plugged into an accessory outlet that has a 12V PDO, then a USB-C to DC barrel trigger cable at 12V would work better. I'm doing this for my Radenso Pro M.

[@riverpirate1022]

Serious question. Is it really worth $550+ to upgrade my Escort Passport Solo S2 to the current 360 mkII? What about it detecting radar/laser is $550+ better?

[@zeitgeist888]

Ok I literally laughed out loud when you pronounced the names of the cable companies.

[@VortexRadar]

lol, that part was fun and it took me several attempts with each name to get it (I think) right, haha

[@GWNewz]

Would this affect the functionality of the detector? As in your other tests, detectors performed differently with other manufacturers cable. I think this should be tested for proper functionality and detecting capabilities to verify nothing would change.

[@VortexRadar]

In theory, no, since they’re power only. The only time I’ve seen that be an issue is mixing Escort smart cords on a V1 since data communication can be wonky. Otherwise they all use the same pinouts for power.

[@budprepper3811]

5v dc vs 12v ??

[@abraxas511]

Ever forget you have a powered unit in the house somewhere and it goes off when a cop drives by with his radar on?

[@joebrown9621]

it's unfortunate they're going away from the cigarette lighter ports as really high draw device like my portable air compressor , vacuum and chiller Cooler use this style

[@ShivaShakur]

I imagine only junk cars will do away with that connection... it's a pretty standard thing to have a 12v or a few in the car. You can always purchase your own and wire/mount them in the car your self... but I understand not everyone is going to feel comfortable doing that... Unfortunately most cars these days ARE junk, as most people have zero clue how anything actually works and thus are unable to purchase vehicles based on any merit or mechanical benefit whatsoever, and get suckered into things like poorly made CVT transmissions, battery electric power under the guise of it being "green", and touchscreens replacing buttons. You can be a part of the renaissance of reason however by not buying into it :)

[@Blue84Stang]

As well, more and more cars are including a small 110/120vac option along with USB-C, as a replacement. A small 150watt inverter that only runs when the car is running, means that you don't actually 'need' "cigarette lighter" style power ports. TBF, those ports are also a bit dangerous, because they are basically one staple (or metal shard) away from becoming a fire.

[@ShivaShakur]

@@Blue84Stang I mean, they are fused, so a penny (or staple or whatever) usually just pops the fuse. USB is 5volt. The built in power inverters are cool for things like laptops that don't come with a car adapter, but they're not a replacement for having 12v native power. What if I want to use a fan, or a CB radio that's not hardwired into the car? Or a big one, a roadside emergency tire pump? Having a native 12v port is helpful in a lot of ways. You don't want to go from 12vdc to 120vac back to whatever is the native power (12vdc?) of a portable compressor or any host of existing 12vdc accessories.

[@Blue84Stang]

@@ShivaShakur ya know whats super interesting...... With the exception of the CB Radio, most of what you are talking about are migrating to an internal battery and USB-C charging for more reliability and better ease-of-use. So, yeah, because USB-C (especially if it has PD) can supply most of what you'd need.

[@ShivaShakur]

@@Blue84Stang I like the lithium air pump w USB-C for my motorcycle. It'll cry a river and overheat trying to inflate a truck or suv tire especially from flat. Internal battery is just one more failure point also. They do not do well with being overheated. Higher complexity translates into higher cost to consumers. Typical of the current climate, eliminate functionality and quality for some perceived convenience. Like today's shit mobile phones - no headphone jack, no removable battery, just so they can be 0.7mm thinner. Which makes them easier to break! And become e-waste sooner. Which = more sales from the mystified masses, who think corporations create things for them in good faith instead of engineering them to fail in service to stockholder expectations of quarterly growth.

[@lloydjames3806]

Are there after market devices which plug into the micro usb port (uniden r7) radar detector enabling bluetooth phone control (IOS in my case)?

[@FazeWrite114]

does it also affect the performance of the detector

[@jacemalloy5160]

You should mention the various outputs of the USB ports nowadays. USB 1.0 and 2.0 standard downstream port, delivers up to 500 mA or 0.5A. Also, with a USB 3.0, it can provide up to 900mA or 0.9A. My newer vehicle has the 3.0 version and I have no problems driving the Uniden 8. Anyway, decent and informative video.

[@VortexRadar]

Are there any cars these days with USB 1.0 or 2.0 that can’t power a RD?

[@scotttucker2557]

I have found with my tesla that using a dashcam backup battery is best using the included USB port to get my uniden enough power as my backup battery is hardwired to my tesla through the cambus that provides the power to my backup battery

[@adaboy4z]

I rented a car two months ago and all it had was usb ports 😡8 hr round trip no protection. Thanks for the reminder just bought the cig to usb from your link.

[@4TECHGAMER]

Would you be able to test this on a motorcycle? I am planning on buying a motorcycle soon with a power output port and I want to use a USB-C cable.

[@vxcmdr]

What’s the power output from Jsvecip usb - rj11?

[@tac_r_usoutdoors8984]

Hell my new DS1 won't power on with the power button, but shuts down with the power button. Only turns on by plugging it in. Drives me nuts

[@prankersden]

Does this affect how the police radar works?

[@zxKrookedxz]

i found an amazing deal on an escort solo 5 do u reccomend it? only 40 dollars i see most unidens going for 700=800

[@VortexRadar]

Absolutely not. Don’t waste your money.

[@lloydharry]

awesome video. thank you!

[@playvision5667]

how many amps does a detector need? 12V 1A or 12V 2A ? e.g. v1gen2 or R7 ?

[@VortexRadar]

1A is usually plenty, but I normally see people do 2-3A fuses to add a little buffer.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

But there's no mute button on it.. That's the only thing I like about my cig adapter PS, at least on my R3.. I mute a lot of K band freqs, or when I'm getting endlessly pinged by the po-po. A remote mute button would be nice if using USB to power the detector.

[@VortexRadar]

Ah man! I meant to mention that and forgot until you brought it up just now. Yeah it’s a power only cable, that’s true. Good point.

[@johnross6314]

USB-C has massive increase in power (over USB-A) within the standard. If these hard to pronounce companies would offer USB-C power, should not have the shutdown issues.

[@nethead1291]

Will the r7 work off usb a?

[@VortexRadar]

Yes

[@ddjslhomebase243]

Escort has been using RJ11 for over 40 years. Can’t believe they won’t switch to USB-C.

[@1badMK7]

Can I run a Uniden r3 dsp and a uniden R8 side by side?

[@VortexRadar]

Nope, bad idea sorry. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKnXc3qLndyjeKc

[@KEN-ui2od]

Some body help me , i have uniden r8 but it working not good in Europe how can i fix it

[@itowmyhome797]

Thank you

[@jooc415]

So I bought this cable for my new Redline 360c based on the recommendations; looks like Windows is not picking up my device...any suggestions?

[@VortexRadar]

This is for power only. To plug into a computer, you need a standard USB cable that plugs into the detector’s USB port.

[@jooc415]

@@VortexRadar got it. Thank you for clarifying!

[@DavidCowsert-u5i]

My new car doesn’t have a cigarette lighter port. It has USB A or USB C port.

[@donaldlabriola4441]

The USB standard only provides 5 volts.

[@silvercommander]

Few years back escort refused to repair my mark III it had been sent in 3Xs with blue tooth connectivity issues. So I told them u are my brother in law and they exchanged it for me. If that isn't okay with u then in that case I'm joking

[@labmaamoura2435]

they all need to switch to usb-c now

[@Izzybx140]

Why would you ever mention Rocky Mountain radar? They are garbage.

[@joecampo1770]

all off these NEEDS to be usbc, usb is crap..

[@paulmartin4680]

Second!!

[@doctorsteve5838]

First!

[@TheFarmhousePaintandSip]

Thanks for nothing.

[@24james]

This was really informative. Thank you! Just bought the Uniden R4 yesterday on Amazon yesterday. Received it today. Returning it tomorrow. My 2023 Sierra does not have a cigarette lighter. It come with a port & cable for USB...but that does not power up the unit. And I'm not going to start ordering a bunch of USB cables on Amazon in "hopes" one will work. Uniden should provide that. Can't believe they (and Escort) still use those archaic coiled cigarette lighter cables they used 30 years ago.

[@scottparkyn795]

Wonderful idea and more discreet.😊🎉🎉 I'm in 👌