Valentine Hardwire project
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
Valentine Hardwire project
Guys, I have begun an "experiment" to hardwire the V1 myself. I have begun the project... and will work on it little by little. Once I have the whole thing figured out.. it should take about 15 min or so probably to do.
I have SUCCESSFULLY wired it to the cig lighter, but currently need to obtain the correct "torx" driver to mount the ground for the V1 relay.. and then research removing the side panel on the center console to route the wire to the drivers door, and up the A pillar and over to the V1. A power test worked this AM. Need to get the correct cable length phone cord to finalize (and the interior bit too).
FYI, check out the mbusalearning.com site for info on disassembling the center console (tranny shifter, cig lighter). Going to check it out to learn on the other trim now. The wire to tap into is a "red/white" striped wire leading to the cig lighter. Looks like there is sufficient room UNDER the ashtray at the front to fit the V1 relay.
With it located there.. should be easy to install the "Concealed display unit" IN the ashtray.
Peter
PS: I am "testing" this on my current E, my NAV replacement will be here in a few weeks. I will then do the FULL install and take pics to post when done. =)
I have SUCCESSFULLY wired it to the cig lighter, but currently need to obtain the correct "torx" driver to mount the ground for the V1 relay.. and then research removing the side panel on the center console to route the wire to the drivers door, and up the A pillar and over to the V1. A power test worked this AM. Need to get the correct cable length phone cord to finalize (and the interior bit too).
FYI, check out the mbusalearning.com site for info on disassembling the center console (tranny shifter, cig lighter). Going to check it out to learn on the other trim now. The wire to tap into is a "red/white" striped wire leading to the cig lighter. Looks like there is sufficient room UNDER the ashtray at the front to fit the V1 relay.
With it located there.. should be easy to install the "Concealed display unit" IN the ashtray.
Peter
PS: I am "testing" this on my current E, my NAV replacement will be here in a few weeks. I will then do the FULL install and take pics to post when done. =)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,348
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Cool idea. Would be interested to see the results.
I've seen a cool V1 install, where they used the rear-view mirror to show the indicators. Check out: http://www.ultrasmith.com/electronics.htm
I've seen a cool V1 install, where they used the rear-view mirror to show the indicators. Check out: http://www.ultrasmith.com/electronics.htm
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: South-east Missouri
1994 SL500
v1 install
I got tired of moving mine back an forth between cars and just purchased my second V1. I having been thinking about hardwiring one in to my sl500. I would be very interested in any help you can give. Thanks Dairel
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
'05 E55
good work. I wish I had found the mbusalearning site prior to having mine installed at a local shop, although they installed mine for cheap, $30 (Al and Ed's). Where do you plan to mount yours? Mine has been mounted on the windshield for a couple of months now, and no problems...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
Mine has been and WILL BE mounted just like yours EPower. Although I am a little "afraid" of messing with the overhead console area for the hardwire. I'll run the wire under the dash, up the A pillar.. and over the headliner to the spot you have.
BTW: Are Charcoal interiours BLACK or GREY on the interior roof and pillar trim? I know the dash and consoles are all dark. This way I can select the correct color cord.
Thanks
Peter
BTW: Are Charcoal interiours BLACK or GREY on the interior roof and pillar trim? I know the dash and consoles are all dark. This way I can select the correct color cord.
Thanks
Peter
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
'05 E55
Originally posted by NitroShredder
Mine has been and WILL BE mounted just like yours EPower. Although I am a little "afraid" of messing with the overhead console area for the hardwire. I'll run the wire under the dash, up the A pillar.. and over the headliner to the spot you have.
BTW: Are Charcoal interiours BLACK or GREY on the interior roof and pillar trim? I know the dash and consoles are all dark. This way I can select the correct color cord.
Thanks
Peter
Mine has been and WILL BE mounted just like yours EPower. Although I am a little "afraid" of messing with the overhead console area for the hardwire. I'll run the wire under the dash, up the A pillar.. and over the headliner to the spot you have.
BTW: Are Charcoal interiours BLACK or GREY on the interior roof and pillar trim? I know the dash and consoles are all dark. This way I can select the correct color cord.
Thanks
Peter
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
How do I go about "popping out" the headliner/pillars? I also don't want to mess with (or set off) the airbag/curtains). That would ROCK If I could hide the wire UNDER the headliner. =)
yeah, I think it's "suicide" to NOT have a v1. People who don't own one.. can plea ignorance I guess. But once you've used one.. it's really the only choice. I even tried a K40 in a 911.. and still felt SAFER with my V1.
Thanks man!
Peter
yeah, I think it's "suicide" to NOT have a v1. People who don't own one.. can plea ignorance I guess. But once you've used one.. it's really the only choice. I even tried a K40 in a 911.. and still felt SAFER with my V1.
Thanks man!
Peter
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 67
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From: West Coast + South East Asia
w203 w211 c 219 w230 w164
I think I had posted my hardwired things in this forum last year. I can't live without my V1, so I just "operate" my car and tried most of the cable in the cig. lighter.
As for the ground cable, I just slipped it to the metal.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9.jpg.orig.jpg
The picture quality is not really good as it was taken in the dark garage, but you should get the idea from it.
And lastly it doesn't creates malfunction to the vehicle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a.jpg.orig.jpg
Howard
As for the ground cable, I just slipped it to the metal.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9.jpg.orig.jpg
The picture quality is not really good as it was taken in the dark garage, but you should get the idea from it.
And lastly it doesn't creates malfunction to the vehicle
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a.jpg.orig.jpg
Howard
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: West Coast + South East Asia
w203 w211 c 219 w230 w164
I put the V1 on the passenger visor and I ran the wire thru the passenger pilar. I peeled the pilar a little bit, just enough to hide the wire.
It sounds difficult, but actually its very easy, you just peeled it by your hands, no knife or other tools necessary=)
good luck man!
It sounds difficult, but actually its very easy, you just peeled it by your hands, no knife or other tools necessary=)
good luck man!
