Where to tap 12V under dash of E430?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Scottsdale AZ
E430
Where to tap 12V under dash of E430?
I am looking under the dash of my 1999 E430 for a wire which is hot with ignition on to power my radar detector. I prefer to tap a wire 14 gauge or thinner to use a pinch on tap.
I would appreciate it if someone could identify the color code and approximate location of a suitable wire. Also, any recommendation on a service manual with wiring diagrams?
Thanks!
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
I would appreciate it if someone could identify the color code and approximate location of a suitable wire. Also, any recommendation on a service manual with wiring diagrams?
Thanks!
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
You don't have to go under the dash. I tapped into the fuse panel on the driver side and works perfectly.
All I did as remove the cigarette plug at the end of the wire for my radar detector and stick the ends of the wires along with a fuse. I forgot which fuse I looked up, because I found one that was controlled by the ignition.
If you'd like I can take a look at it after work and tell you what number fuse I used.
All I did as remove the cigarette plug at the end of the wire for my radar detector and stick the ends of the wires along with a fuse. I forgot which fuse I looked up, because I found one that was controlled by the ignition.
If you'd like I can take a look at it after work and tell you what number fuse I used.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
I mount my V-1 on top of the rear-view mirror. I use velcro for the job (that way, I can take the radar detector to another car easily). Sitting on top of the mirror, and behind the dark-shade of the windshield (top part), the valentine is also out of sight.
I draw the power from the panel where you turn on the interior lights and control sunroof.
No need to worry about compromise perfomance of the radar. I test, and the signal is the same between the fully expose section of the windshield and the painted section.
I draw the power from the panel where you turn on the interior lights and control sunroof.
No need to worry about compromise perfomance of the radar. I test, and the signal is the same between the fully expose section of the windshield and the painted section.
Originally posted by michakaveli
You don't have to go under the dash. I tapped into the fuse panel on the driver side and works perfectly.
All I did as remove the cigarette plug at the end of the wire for my radar detector and stick the ends of the wires along with a fuse. I forgot which fuse I looked up, because I found one that was controlled by the ignition.
If you'd like I can take a look at it after work and tell you what number fuse I used.
You don't have to go under the dash. I tapped into the fuse panel on the driver side and works perfectly.
All I did as remove the cigarette plug at the end of the wire for my radar detector and stick the ends of the wires along with a fuse. I forgot which fuse I looked up, because I found one that was controlled by the ignition.
If you'd like I can take a look at it after work and tell you what number fuse I used.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
E430
michakaveli,
Thanks, I would prefer not to insert a wire under a fuse and unfortunately there was no unused fuse socket to plug into. Tapping a wire behind the fuse panel would be nice but that area is blocked off.
zam2000,
Good suggestion to get power from dome light area. I would still like to tap a wire under the dash to access power for some other gizmos.
Glad to know the blacked out part of the windshield does not block microwave. The tinted top of the windshield on my 300E blocked microwaves a bit but the V1 is so sensitive it was still adequate!
Peter,
You are right, the cigarette lighter wire would be a very good source of 12V. How to get at the wire? I pulled out the ash tray basket but cannot see the cig lighter wire.
Any way to pull out the whole ash tray w cig lighter and access the wire that way? Or if I just knew the color code on that wire I might locate it under the dash.
Nobody have a wiring diagram with color codes?
Thanks & regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
Thanks, I would prefer not to insert a wire under a fuse and unfortunately there was no unused fuse socket to plug into. Tapping a wire behind the fuse panel would be nice but that area is blocked off.
zam2000,
Good suggestion to get power from dome light area. I would still like to tap a wire under the dash to access power for some other gizmos.
Glad to know the blacked out part of the windshield does not block microwave. The tinted top of the windshield on my 300E blocked microwaves a bit but the V1 is so sensitive it was still adequate!
Peter,
You are right, the cigarette lighter wire would be a very good source of 12V. How to get at the wire? I pulled out the ash tray basket but cannot see the cig lighter wire.
Any way to pull out the whole ash tray w cig lighter and access the wire that way? Or if I just knew the color code on that wire I might locate it under the dash.
Nobody have a wiring diagram with color codes?
Thanks & regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
I've done extensive test (with both speedmeter and RF equipment), with the V-1 in clear-sight, and behind the paintd section on top of the rear view mirror. The result came out idential. If there's difference, then it must be too small to be measured w/ the equipment I have.
The V1 is the best, and it sits really nice on top of the mirror.
You can always have a slave-unit (to control power and volumn), draw the power from under the dash or cigarette lighter, mount that slave unit somewhre in the dash (I put mine on top of the left most air-vent, there's small section to sit the slave , and run the power line along the windshied and underneat the roofline) to the V1 unit. That way, the display is out of sight too (driver from behind you can not see it), and you can control the volumn & power from the slave unit).
To take out the cigarette lighter, first open up the plastic panel surround the gear****, then lift up the wood panel around the gearshift. YOu will see two screws, untighten them, then just pull out the complete set of ash-tray & wood door.
Positive for the cigarette lighter is in brown.
The V1 is the best, and it sits really nice on top of the mirror.
You can always have a slave-unit (to control power and volumn), draw the power from under the dash or cigarette lighter, mount that slave unit somewhre in the dash (I put mine on top of the left most air-vent, there's small section to sit the slave , and run the power line along the windshied and underneat the roofline) to the V1 unit. That way, the display is out of sight too (driver from behind you can not see it), and you can control the volumn & power from the slave unit).
To take out the cigarette lighter, first open up the plastic panel surround the gear****, then lift up the wood panel around the gearshift. YOu will see two screws, untighten them, then just pull out the complete set of ash-tray & wood door.
Positive for the cigarette lighter is in brown.
Originally posted by George Helser
michakaveli,
Thanks, I would prefer not to insert a wire under a fuse and unfortunately there was no unused fuse socket to plug into. Tapping a wire behind the fuse panel would be nice but that area is blocked off.
zam2000,
Good suggestion to get power from dome light area. I would still like to tap a wire under the dash to access power for some other gizmos.
Glad to know the blacked out part of the windshield does not block microwave. The tinted top of the windshield on my 300E blocked microwaves a bit but the V1 is so sensitive it was still adequate!
Peter,
You are right, the cigarette lighter wire would be a very good source of 12V. How to get at the wire? I pulled out the ash tray basket but cannot see the cig lighter wire.
Any way to pull out the whole ash tray w cig lighter and access the wire that way? Or if I just knew the color code on that wire I might locate it under the dash.
Nobody have a wiring diagram with color codes?
Thanks & regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
michakaveli,
Thanks, I would prefer not to insert a wire under a fuse and unfortunately there was no unused fuse socket to plug into. Tapping a wire behind the fuse panel would be nice but that area is blocked off.
zam2000,
Good suggestion to get power from dome light area. I would still like to tap a wire under the dash to access power for some other gizmos.
Glad to know the blacked out part of the windshield does not block microwave. The tinted top of the windshield on my 300E blocked microwaves a bit but the V1 is so sensitive it was still adequate!
Peter,
You are right, the cigarette lighter wire would be a very good source of 12V. How to get at the wire? I pulled out the ash tray basket but cannot see the cig lighter wire.
Any way to pull out the whole ash tray w cig lighter and access the wire that way? Or if I just knew the color code on that wire I might locate it under the dash.
Nobody have a wiring diagram with color codes?
Thanks & regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
Last edited by zam2000; Apr 6, 2004 at 08:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
E430
zam2000,
Thanks for the instructions on getting the cigarette lighter out. It went smoothly and there it was easy to tap power/ground.
The V1 is now direct wired. I owe you one!
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
Thanks for the instructions on getting the cigarette lighter out. It went smoothly and there it was easy to tap power/ground.
The V1 is now direct wired. I owe you one!
Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona
