Three wire vehicle plug

[cellison1460]

I just got a new BCT15X that will be perminately installed in my car. My question is: what does the orange wire get connected too, I'm assuming that the red is constant power and the black is ground.

Thanks

 

[swstow]

light dimmer if i remember right / when powered it dims the display

 

[SCPD]

You can splice the orange wire to the head light switch.
When you turn your headlights on the scanner will automatically dim

 

[slypx]

You can splice the orange wire to the head light switch.

When you turn your headlights on the scanner will automatically dim

That is correct and works great. I use my BCD996T with the remote head (RH-96) and it works on it also.

If case you missed it, it's on page 36 of the BCD996T user guide :

"6. Connect the ORANGE lead to one side of the headlamp switch so that when you activate the headlights, the scanners LCD backlight dimmer level changes color and intensity."​

You can always override it manually on the scanner as you would do normally and it will come back to the default stage next time you start your vehicle again.

 

[davidmc36]

I'm assuming that the red is constant power

Normally you would put the red to the accesory output of your ignition switch, not the battery (constant) to avoid leaving it on and running your battery dead.

 

[slypx]

... , it's on page 36 of the BCD996T user guide :

... Should have read page 35.

Normally you would put the red to the accesory output of your ignition switch, not the battery (constant) to avoid leaving it on and running your battery dead.

Exactly how it is done on mine and suggested at the same page of the user guide (point #5). On my car (and others), the car radio and accessories stay on even after removing the key from ignition switch for 15 minutes or until I open a door within that time limit.