Escort 8500 Volt Meter

[Exalted512]

I found out like an hour ago you can use your Escort Passport 8500 radar detector as a digital volt meter for your truck. Well, I turned the feature on and it was reading 12.5 V with the ac and system off. I revved up the engine a little and nothing changed. I turned on the radio and cranked it and the voltage went down but it seemed like it was reading a volt low. Sure enough I happened to have my fluke with me so I checked the voltage at the battery and sure enough, 13.89.
I was wondering if GM has some type of voltage regulator on their cigarrette lighter because the highest the voltage ever got was 12.7. I don't really want to hard wire it but if thats the problem then thats probably what I'll end up doing.
thanks,
-Cody

[BogeyBoy82]

I found out like an hour ago you can use your Escort Passport 8500 radar detector as a digital volt meter for your truck. Well, I turned the feature on and it was reading 12.5 V with the ac and system off. I revved up the engine a little and nothing changed. I turned on the radio and cranked it and the voltage went down but it seemed like it was reading a volt low. Sure enough I happened to have my fluke with me so I checked the voltage at the battery and sure enough, 13.89.
I was wondering if GM has some type of voltage regulator on their cigarrette lighter because the highest the voltage ever got was 12.7. I don't really want to hard wire it but if thats the problem then thats probably what I'll end up doing.
thanks,
-Cody



hard wiring the radar detector will get rid of not only the cord but the regulator (if it exists). All you need for that detector is a phone cord...cut one end off...strip it down...ground the black and shove the (i believe) green into one of the fuses that is getting 12v only when the key is on. I cant remebet the color combo..its either black/green, or green/red...its not your normal black/red..

[Exalted512]

thanks, ill try that later this week.
-Cody

[Exalted512]

anyone have any ideas of why this is??
-Cody

[maroonsilverado]

hmm...my escort gives a pretty accurate reading. it's hard wired now, but it was accurate even when it was plugged in through the cigarette lighter.

[Exalted512]

do you have a nbs or obs?
-Cody