New Radar Detector question

[Rolando33]

OK, this may be a lame question, but........ I just installed wiring on both my bikes for a Beltronics RD. Now here is my question---if I am not using the detector, and I have the wiring hanging free (ie. it's raining, and I would not be riding fast or using the RD), is there a plastic cover that I could put on the end of the connector (looks like a phone jack) to keep it from getting wet or broken? Something like the protective caps they give you with your GPS wiring harnesses. Yes, I guess I am being a little retentive, but it protects me from grief later on.

[SF_Hooligan]

Plastic bag and rubber band.

Seriously. I have a cable mount Powerlet on the front of my bike right now, while I figure out my permanent wiring setup. When I was out for a few das recently, it started raining so I put a Ziploc bag and one of those little REI straps over it when I stopped for the night. While I was still rolling it had a cable in it and I wasn't too worried about it. Ain't real purty, though.

What would be rad is a plastic cap with a little strap to hold it in place so you don't lose it. I'd look at someplace like Fry's or even Radio Shack or someplace like this. Worst case, a soft round cap of the right size would slip over.

[jkhomes]

I always tucked mine between the steering column and healight of my R1200R and blew all the moisture off in the morning. I did worry about some when it rained, although I don't use my radar detector when it is wet. Good question though. The plug is called a Cat5. Check this out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20X-CAT5-RJ-45- ... 0498187734

[bimmerguy]

I wired my escort 8500 and nuvi gps to waterproof switch so when it rains, I can cut power to both at once.
Escort is velcroed on and gps snaps out of mount easily.
I also sealed up all the top holes on escort with silicone and mounted led block for alerts.
I've been thru several storms with it and no problemo.

[mogu83]

[quote="SF_Hooligan"]Plastic bag and rubber band.

Seriously. I have a cable mount Powerlet on the front of my bike right now, while I figure out my permanent wiring setup. When I was out for a few das recently, it started raining so I put a Ziploc bag and one of those little REI straps over it when I stopped for the night. While I was still rolling it had a cable in it and I wasn't too worried about it. Ain't real purty, though.
[quote]

Next to tie wraps and the EZ-Pass (for us East Coast guys) the Zip Lock bags are the best thing that has come along in a long time. When i'm on the road I carry my wallet,camera and cell phone in Zip Locks in my jacket pockets. You can also pack a days worth of clothing (not pants) in a one gallon ZipLock, then sit on it when your zipping it and end up with a package about a foot square and less than an inch thick. Makes carrying a weeks worth of clothes really easy.

[SF_Hooligan]

Next to tie wraps and the EZ-Pass (for us East Coast guys) the Zip Lock bags are the best thing that has come along in a long time. When i'm on the road I carry my wallet,camera and cell phone in Zip Locks in my jacket pockets. You can also pack a days worth of clothing (not pants) in a one gallon ZipLock, then sit on it when your zipping it and end up with a package about a foot square and less than an inch thick. Makes carrying a weeks worth of clothes really easy.

Good call. I use a couple Eagle Creek folders - reusable and last forever. You don't get that cool vacuum-sealed effect, though.

[Rolando33]

OK, I guess Ziplock is the answer, and I need to quit stressing so much about it. But you know us BMW guys. I just find it so hard to believe someone hasn't made a protective cap for the Cad5 plugs.

I live in San Diego, so riding in the rain isn't a big worry, right?

[parkec]

My Passport porwer cord plug which resembles a phone plug carroded away. Once replaced at about $10.. my solution. silicone grease gooped, and crossed fingers.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I always tucked mine between the steering column and healight of my R1200R and blew all the moisture off in the morning. I did worry about some when it rained, although I don't use my radar detector when it is wet. Good question though. The plug is called a Cat5. Check this out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20X-CAT5-RJ-45- ... 0498187734

not cat5; RJ11

Cat 5 is the cable for ethernet, wired networks, etc. Looks like an RJ11 but bigger. There are caps for Cat5, btw. And not all RJ11s are created equally, some have 2 wires and some have 4. The Valentine requires the 4 wire one.

I am of the plastic and rubber band school. What works well are the free shower caps you sometimes find at motels. It could be wrapped completely over the unit and has its own self contained rubber band. I double one up and use it over my Valentine. Works fine.

John

[jkhomes]

I am the proud owner of 20 cat 5 protector caps. How a US vendor can sell them to me and have them mailed from the Putua District of Shangai, China for $2.25 is truly the mystery of the orient. It fits the plug for my radar detector very well, but unfortunately it has a hole in the end. I will squirt some silicone caulk in the end so that it can serve its purpose for being waterproof.

My radar detector comes off the magnetic mount when I ride in the rain. I don't need any baggies or shower caps, just goes in my pocket. I am sure not going to speed when the roads are wet.

I would be happy to resell some of the other 19, but I don't think I can mail them as cheap as the whole package cost...