E350 2012 12VDC for a radar deterctor
03-16-2014 | 12:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: California
MBZ SL 500 2005; E350Bluetek 2012; Porsche Traga Tip 911 964 1991
E350 2012 12VDC for a radar deterctor
I am still looking for an easy way to obtain power for a Radar Detector for my E350 (2012). I tried to follow a suggestion to get power off the light switch, but
getting to the switch is not an easy task from the looks of it. (Dropped the sub paned over the brake, but getting to the harness looks forbidding)
I was hoping to find the switch for the glove compartment light, to tap into it, but
cannot find the switch (must be hidden), I also hoped to tap into the cigarette lighter, but cannot get to the back of the one in the center console.
Any suggestions?
Don
getting to the switch is not an easy task from the looks of it. (Dropped the sub paned over the brake, but getting to the harness looks forbidding)
I was hoping to find the switch for the glove compartment light, to tap into it, but
cannot find the switch (must be hidden), I also hoped to tap into the cigarette lighter, but cannot get to the back of the one in the center console.
Any suggestions?
Don
04-04-2014 | 10:43 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: California
MBZ SL 500 2005; E350Bluetek 2012; Porsche Traga Tip 911 964 1991
Finding 12 VDC switchable under the dash
Hi
Yes I am still hunting for a good and easy connection point for my Radar
detector.
Thanks for any help you may provide
Don
Yes I am still hunting for a good and easy connection point for my Radar
detector.
Thanks for any help you may provide
Don
05-13-2014 | 04:17 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: California
MBZ SL 500 2005; E350Bluetek 2012; Porsche Traga Tip 911 964 1991
MBZ E350 2012 switchable 12VDC
Hi
I finally decided to connect directly to the fuse box to get switchable power. All other locations were risky.
I dropped the footwell panel on the driver's side, then using a coat hanger wire, I located the hood cable which goes by the fuse box into the driver's side footwell, I slid the wire into the boot which surrounds the cable and then into the footwell.
Prior to the insertion I had flattened the wire for about 1/2 inch and filed the tip to a point. I also attached a loop of long fishing line to the tip.
Once the wire was inside the compartment I fished the fish line down and connected it to the power cable for my radar detector. Finally I pulled the coat hanger wire back and pulled the cable wire into the engine compartment.
The next step was to get inside the fuse box. I drilled a small hole on the side of the box and pulled one of the wires into the box. The second wire, ground, I connected to the clamp holding a large hose, under the nut, right by the fuse box.
I then soldered a thin foil piece of copper, the width of a fuse leg to the hot side wire. I pulled fuse 21, determined which side is the hot side, and slid the copper foil into the other leg of the holder. Then I inserted the fuse. Now I had power. I also used a secondary 5A fuse in a holder, in line with the power cable, to give me more security and placed it in the fuse box
I sealed the hole with some tape to prevent ingress.
I routed the wires between the dashboard and the sides -- all one has to do is to push the wire in. The wires then go to center of the dashboard, in the throughout of the defrosters and to the detector.
I finally decided to connect directly to the fuse box to get switchable power. All other locations were risky.
I dropped the footwell panel on the driver's side, then using a coat hanger wire, I located the hood cable which goes by the fuse box into the driver's side footwell, I slid the wire into the boot which surrounds the cable and then into the footwell.
Prior to the insertion I had flattened the wire for about 1/2 inch and filed the tip to a point. I also attached a loop of long fishing line to the tip.
Once the wire was inside the compartment I fished the fish line down and connected it to the power cable for my radar detector. Finally I pulled the coat hanger wire back and pulled the cable wire into the engine compartment.
The next step was to get inside the fuse box. I drilled a small hole on the side of the box and pulled one of the wires into the box. The second wire, ground, I connected to the clamp holding a large hose, under the nut, right by the fuse box.
I then soldered a thin foil piece of copper, the width of a fuse leg to the hot side wire. I pulled fuse 21, determined which side is the hot side, and slid the copper foil into the other leg of the holder. Then I inserted the fuse. Now I had power. I also used a secondary 5A fuse in a holder, in line with the power cable, to give me more security and placed it in the fuse box
I sealed the hole with some tape to prevent ingress.
I routed the wires between the dashboard and the sides -- all one has to do is to push the wire in. The wires then go to center of the dashboard, in the throughout of the defrosters and to the detector.
