C Class 20amp Power/Ground.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 263
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
C Class 20amp Power/Ground.
Hi All,
I am taking a long trip coming up and want to throw a ham radio in my car. However, I am having a hard time finding a power source & ground. I would love to just run directly to the battery and tap in there, but I can't seem to find a gromit that I can pass a 8 or 10guage wire through the firewall. They all seem to be out of reach.
So I ask of you all, where would I tap into for power and where would you ground?
2003 C32. The radio draws 20amp at full power, so I need a pretty large power source as to not overload the wiring in the car, tapping off someone for a light or something
Thanks,
Mike
I am taking a long trip coming up and want to throw a ham radio in my car. However, I am having a hard time finding a power source & ground. I would love to just run directly to the battery and tap in there, but I can't seem to find a gromit that I can pass a 8 or 10guage wire through the firewall. They all seem to be out of reach.
So I ask of you all, where would I tap into for power and where would you ground?
2003 C32. The radio draws 20amp at full power, so I need a pretty large power source as to not overload the wiring in the car, tapping off someone for a light or something
Thanks,
Mike
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Long Island, New York
'05 C230SS 6MT, 1966 Triumph TR4a IRS, Shelby Cobra 427 Supercharged
If you take off the fuse panel cover in the car and under the hood there is plenty of room to pass through the firewall... Just follow the wires in there!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 263
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by Capt Nemo o2
If you take off the fuse panel cover in the car and under the hood there is plenty of room to pass through the firewall... Just follow the wires in there!
Also, where can I get a good chassis ground on this car?
-Mike
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
The easiest way would be to tap off the fuse box in either the dashboard or the rear SAM, the panel with fuses at the left rear of the trunk. MB makes some cool fuse holders that plug into the box and you can take the wire wherever you like. I can get the part number and take a pic or two to help you out - but not for a couple of days. This way is the most clean and best protected way there is!
If I don't post the info I mentioned in a few days, PM me and remind me.
If I don't post the info I mentioned in a few days, PM me and remind me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,238
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From: Long Island, New York
'05 C230SS 6MT, 1966 Triumph TR4a IRS, Shelby Cobra 427 Supercharged
Originally Posted by doofoo
The fuse panel under the hood is on the drivers side, correct?
Also, where can I get a good chassis ground on this car?
-Mike
Also, where can I get a good chassis ground on this car?
-Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Gadsden, Alabama
'06 C350 4MATIC
Ham Radio
Don't forget to put a DC power filter (aka, RFI filter) on the battery lead. Usually this is done to protect the radio from vehicle electrical noise but I would worry more about the sensitive electronics in my car.
Ham rigs can kick out quite a bit of power, you wouldn't want to freak out the ECS, ABS or Air Bag controller (*BANG* surprise!).
Also try to locate your ham antenna as far away from the antennas that are located all over the vehicle. A 25-100 watt 2 meter transmitter would very nicely blow out the front end of any receiver in the immediate vicinity.
Ham rigs can kick out quite a bit of power, you wouldn't want to freak out the ECS, ABS or Air Bag controller (*BANG* surprise!).
Also try to locate your ham antenna as far away from the antennas that are located all over the vehicle. A 25-100 watt 2 meter transmitter would very nicely blow out the front end of any receiver in the immediate vicinity.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 263
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by mbbodytech
The easiest way would be to tap off the fuse box in either the dashboard or the rear SAM, the panel with fuses at the left rear of the trunk. MB makes some cool fuse holders that plug into the box and you can take the wire wherever you like. I can get the part number and take a pic or two to help you out - but not for a couple of days. This way is the most clean and best protected way there is!
If I don't post the info I mentioned in a few days, PM me and remind me.
If I don't post the info I mentioned in a few days, PM me and remind me.
-Mike
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 263
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by Tishers
Don't forget to put a DC power filter (aka, RFI filter) on the battery lead. Usually this is done to protect the radio from vehicle electrical noise but I would worry more about the sensitive electronics in my car.
Ham rigs can kick out quite a bit of power, you wouldn't want to freak out the ECS, ABS or Air Bag controller (*BANG* surprise!).
Also try to locate your ham antenna as far away from the antennas that are located all over the vehicle. A 25-100 watt 2 meter transmitter would very nicely blow out the front end of any receiver in the immediate vicinity.
Ham rigs can kick out quite a bit of power, you wouldn't want to freak out the ECS, ABS or Air Bag controller (*BANG* surprise!).
Also try to locate your ham antenna as far away from the antennas that are located all over the vehicle. A 25-100 watt 2 meter transmitter would very nicely blow out the front end of any receiver in the immediate vicinity.
I am still looking for a ground I can use when mounting in the car, anyone have any suggestions?
-Mike
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: White Lake, MI
04 C320 Coupe MT
20Amp Power Lead
Here is where you can get a nice power lead. I added the green one myself, for an auxiliary power supply in the rear area. However, there are three more spaces left. Here are the part numbers for what you need:
Fuse Link:
Black A 003 545 13 01
Purple A 003 545 18 01
Terminal for above fuse link:
A 004 545 52 26
Ground loop:
A 003 545 85 40
All you need is a little wire and a 20 Amp fuse and you are ready to go! The position with the green fuse link is terminal 30.
I hope this help you out.
Fuse Link:
Black A 003 545 13 01
Purple A 003 545 18 01
Terminal for above fuse link:
A 004 545 52 26
Ground loop:
A 003 545 85 40
All you need is a little wire and a 20 Amp fuse and you are ready to go! The position with the green fuse link is terminal 30.
I hope this help you out.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 806
Likes: 2
From: Edmonds... good bye SD
what would be the MAXIMUM amperage that you can tap out of there? Say for a small amp or other power hungry unit.
20 amps = 288 watts
could someone do a 30 amp fuse? Or would additional 8 guage wire need to be brought back from up from the battery? OR could one run 2 small amps (150 and 150) putting them on 2 different fuses in the fuse block? Or does it stress out the stock wiring?
20 amps = 288 watts
could someone do a 30 amp fuse? Or would additional 8 guage wire need to be brought back from up from the battery? OR could one run 2 small amps (150 and 150) putting them on 2 different fuses in the fuse block? Or does it stress out the stock wiring?
