patching into a switched power curcuit

I have a radar detector which runs its power-cord directly off the battery, then plugs into the 'unit' with a proprietery 7-prong plug. Because the power prong in this plug is always 'live', and because I live in nearly as wet a climate as Britain, despite a 'cap' on the plug over the 2 years I've owned the unit, it has corroded to the point of total loss of power. I'm replacing the cord, but to prevent a recurrence I need a way to interrupt the power. Because of accessibility problems, I wouldhave trouble cutting a switch into the cord as it leaves the battery. The other option si to run the power off a switched curcuit on the bike. I'm pretty hesitant to start cutting into existing wiring, so does anyone have any experience in doing so? If so, which curcuit is easiest? Headlights? And what do you do? How do you insure a good 'seal' afterwards?

Thanks in advance.

[Bibio]

use a relay and energise the coil from the side/tail light circuit. when tapping into any wiring on the bike solder the connection and secure with heat shrink rather than use those stupid 'in line splice' connectors.

Yeah just use a relay switched from the tail light circuit, I personally used the number plate light positive feed on my SV to trigger a relay.

I would first check the specs on that radar detector as I have a suspicion that it only draws a few hundred mA. If thats the case, I would run a cable from the ignition terminal under the pillion seat which is on the 30Amp fused circuit and could easily take a an additional 0.1 - 0.2Amps without the need for a relay and extra wiring. There are even a couple of spare terminals in there you could use to solder your new circuit.

My tom tom is patched in to the tail light circuit.

No Problems

[tigersaw]

I would not bother using a relay if its low current, just add it into the sidelight or taillight circuit.
Some relays can use quite a bit of current all by themselves, and get pretty warm if perminantly energised.

Originally Posted by maxinc

I would first check the specs on that radar detector as I have a suspicion that it only draws a few hundred mA. If thats the case, I would run a cable from the ignition terminal under the pillion seat which is on the 30Amp fused circuit and could easily take a an additional 0.1 - 0.2Amps without the need for a relay and extra wiring. There are even a couple of spare terminals in there you could use to solder your new circuit.

OK, correct-a-mundo! I asked, and the unit only draws normal 270mA, max 480 mA. No need for relays and complications. I'll go looking for the circuit you noted - I might need help later. Thanks!