Valentine 1 install
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From: Eugene, OR
'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
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From: Taipei Taiwan
'10 E63 Obsidiant Black; '06 R350 Alabaster White; 05 C55 Obsidiant Black (sold)
I travel between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. on I5 every week and I gotta say my V1 kept me from getting pulled over at least once every trip.
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C230
Thanks,
Michael
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
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From: Eugene, OR
'04 c230 Coupe, '09 SLK 55
My install was:
I removed the cigarette lighter near the cup holder.
I produced a plate that the remote control would be mounted to which replaces the cigarette lighter. This plate also has the volume control for the subwoofer.
I used the Valentine 1 hard wire kit to tap into the power leads for the cigarette lighter. This made the V1 switched with the ignition. I assumed this would also be a safe place to get power as it probably wouldn't effect the CAN bus.
From the hard wire module, I ran a cable to the remote control and one to the remote display in the cluster.
The main wire lead from the remote control goes all the way up the center console, through the dash, up the windshield pillar, along the top of the windshield to the main unit.
By doing it this way, I can control the whole unit from the remote control in the center console. Basically, my right hand rests on top of that area while I'm driving so I can turn it on or off and control volume.
I also have an external speaker mounted behind my left ear so when listening to music or the sunroof/windows are open I can still hear the alerts.
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C230
As far as hard wiring into the light console, there are constant hot leads up there, but I'm not sure about switched hot leads. This means you may have to turn the V1 off when you turn off the car.
My install was:
I removed the cigarette lighter near the cup holder.
I produced a plate that the remote control would be mounted to which replaces the cigarette lighter. This plate also has the volume control for the subwoofer.
I used the Valentine 1 hard wire kit to tap into the power leads for the cigarette lighter. This made the V1 switched with the ignition. I assumed this would also be a safe place to get power as it probably wouldn't effect the CAN bus.
From the hard wire module, I ran a cable to the remote control and one to the remote display in the cluster.
The main wire lead from the remote control goes all the way up the center console, through the dash, up the windshield pillar, along the top of the windshield to the main unit.
By doing it this way, I can control the whole unit from the remote control in the center console. Basically, my right hand rests on top of that area while I'm driving so I can turn it on or off and control volume.
I also have an external speaker mounted behind my left ear so when listening to music or the sunroof/windows are open I can still hear the alerts.
My install was:
I removed the cigarette lighter near the cup holder.
I produced a plate that the remote control would be mounted to which replaces the cigarette lighter. This plate also has the volume control for the subwoofer.
I used the Valentine 1 hard wire kit to tap into the power leads for the cigarette lighter. This made the V1 switched with the ignition. I assumed this would also be a safe place to get power as it probably wouldn't effect the CAN bus.
From the hard wire module, I ran a cable to the remote control and one to the remote display in the cluster.
The main wire lead from the remote control goes all the way up the center console, through the dash, up the windshield pillar, along the top of the windshield to the main unit.
By doing it this way, I can control the whole unit from the remote control in the center console. Basically, my right hand rests on top of that area while I'm driving so I can turn it on or off and control volume.
I also have an external speaker mounted behind my left ear so when listening to music or the sunroof/windows are open I can still hear the alerts.
Thanks for the feedback and again...Nice clean install.
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From: Taipei Taiwan
'10 E63 Obsidiant Black; '06 R350 Alabaster White; 05 C55 Obsidiant Black (sold)
there is a power source in the dome assembly. I mounted mine that way. I think I followed a DIY thread in the forum but im not sure which one. I'll see if I can dig it up.
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C230
I'm curious if anyone here has found a switched hot up there.
Mine is an 06 230.
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C230
I drive HWY 280 between San Francisco and San Jose which unlike most Bay Area Highways is never backed up and most everyone is driving 80+ mph. It is almost the American Autobahn with dozens of cars doing 100mph +. That said it is also heavily patrolled by CHP. My V1 is always going off in a few places where they wait for speeders.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,027
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From: Taipei Taiwan
'10 E63 Obsidiant Black; '06 R350 Alabaster White; 05 C55 Obsidiant Black (sold)
Is the wire you tapped into a constant hot lead? I'd hate to have to turn it on and off every-time I got in and out of the car. The cigarette lighter only works with the key on so that is a good option if all the wires up top are hot only.
I'm curious if anyone here has found a switched hot up there.
Mine is an 06 230.
I'm curious if anyone here has found a switched hot up there.
Mine is an 06 230.
Edited: Here is a picture of the blue/grey wire I tapped. Please excuse me for the poor image quality.
Last edited by RW C55; Nov 9, 2009 at 12:31 PM.
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C230
I'll look for the wire you describe this afternoon and report back if I'm able to make the connection.
