Parking Sensors > Customer Installations > General Guide

General Installation Guide

The Dolphin Parking Sensors are designed for 12v vehicles with polycarbonate bumpers. Results cannot be guaranteed when fitting to metal bumpers and will not work when fitted to bull bars or other enclosed steel frames.

The sensors should be installed between 40-70cm off the ground and between 30-40cm apart. Where possible they should be fitted level and evenly across the bumper for best results and overall appearance but the sensors will still work if this is not possible.

If in doubt or you have a potential issue with a tow-bar or rear mounted spare wheel we advise powering up the sensors off the reversing light feed or suitable battery power (a 9v square PP3 type will suffice to power individual sensors) and holding a sensor where you are planning to mount it, to see that its not detecting the obstacle in question before drilling the bumper. This is also advisable if you are mounting them rather low or if the bumper is angled down to the ground where you plan to install them.

Before drilling the bumper, check that there is clearance behind to house the sensors, which will require approx 25mm of depth before you reach any steel bars or fixing brackets. It is not always necessary to remove the bumper covering to drill the sensors, but you may find this easier in the long run. If you are unsure where to fit the sensors please check with your local car dealership or have a look on their forecourt to see where the sensors have been fitted on similar models.

Once you have decided on the location for your sensors we would recommend applying some masking tape or similar adhesive on which to etch the exact location for the drill bit and double check your measurements. This tape will then also hold the drill bit and remaining paint work in place. The correct drill bit will be supplied with the Dolphin Parking Sensor TM kit supplied which in most instances will be 21mm in diameter. When drilling do not push hard and force the drill bit, leave it to do the hard work.

When you have drilled the holes pass the sensor cabling through and push the sensors into place. You may find two small holes or dots on the back of the sensors, and the sensor should be fitted with these dots aligned vertically. Foam padding is located on the sides of the sensors and this will adequately hold the sensors in place once fitted. 

Generally, on the left hand side of the boot under the interior carpet lining, you will find a grommet with various cables passing through into the boot compartment. You should route the parking sensors to utilise this grommet and feed the sensor cabling into the boot compartment. Otherwise a small hole can be drilled into the side foot-well of the boot and secured using a rubber grommet or silicon sealant. Secure any excess cabling under the bumper with suitable retainers running spare cable back and forth in straight lines.

To power the system you will need to gain access to the back of the light cluster to identify the cables required. Please see the installation diagrams in the manual which refer to your particular model for the connections required. All connections should be made to the cables as close to the rear light cluster as reasonably possible. The circuitry of wires can be tested with a voltmeter or by skinning a bit of insulation off a cable to check it carries the correct voltage when required. Cables can then either be twisted onto this bare wire or connected using a suitable scotch lock connecter.

Most modern cars have Multiplexed or CANBUS wiring systems. Dolphin Parking Sensors TM  can be fitted on such cars as you are just connecting in most cases for a 12v+ feed and Ground. Multiplexed wires carry coded information signals and should not be touched. In all cases we would advise against cutting any original wires on the vehicle.