Radar Detector Direct Wire - Tap to Swtich Power
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Radar Detector Direct Wire - Tap to Swtich Power
I tried to research tapping into switch power to direct wire my radar detector, but it appears there isn't any out there. The only ones I found were to tap to the fuse panel in the trunk as the fuses in the cabin have constant power. I figured out a way and thought I'd share. Did the install this morning and it only took about an hour, pictures and all. The attached .pdf is my attempt to explain how I did the install along with pics.
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That's a nice write up. Many W213 models do not have a 12v socket in the passenger footwell. Unfortunately, my car doesn't have one. It has a single 12v outlet next to the 110v outlet in the rear passenger area.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
Same here, UA. I've been struggling to figure out a good power source for the dash cam, no luck so far. Every power source I find is constant, not switched, and running wires from the rear fuse box seems like a major job. That 12V outlet in the footwell solves it nicely. Great write up, denjermen.
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UA549 & Lanzz, I’m wondering if you guys can just run a longer cable from the 12V outlet for the back seats, between the carpet joints of the center console, and then just follow the same route as I have for the front 12V outlet up to the roof? I think removing the back panel of the center console is just a matter of pulling that panel out?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
Yeah, denjermen, I may try something like that... I only have a year left on my lease, but I do not like not having a dashcam...
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According to the service manager at my dealer some models have a 12v outlet in the front passenger compartment depending on ordered options. There is one shown in the user guide for US models. Unfortunately my car doesn't have one either.
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Thread Starter
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Nope, I tried all of the connections in the overhead panel. The ones that carried power have constant power, and the others I think are just data because my multimeter didn’t register any voltage. Would’ve been much easier to be able to tap into a power source there. I didn’t try the sensors on the windshield though. Didn’t want to risk screwing them up.
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From: CT, USA
2024 AMG GLE 53
My personal preference for radar detector placement is right smack in the middle of the windshield from top to bottom. Just high enough to clear the rear seats when there is an alert coming from behind.
You will notice a lot of people put their radar detectors high up right by the headliner or the sun visors. Keep in mind this will limit laser alerts.
The lower the radar detector the better the laser alerts. Yes I know that typically once you get a laser radar alert it's already too late. That's not always the case, sometimes you do have a chance to slow down without being detected. I personally have multiple dashcam videos on my youtube channel of radar detector saves.
Placing it high up is convenient aesthetically but not best performance. In the middle of the windshield does not look appealing at all but it is for better protection. And lowest to the dashboard limits your 360 detection range but gets you best laser detection. So it does depend on what works for you.
On to the pics-
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2017 E300
I like mine right above my dash. It's right next to my fingers to press the buttons and easy to see.
Last edited by Tom T; Nov 10, 2018 at 09:46 AM.
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Infiniti M35x
Yeah in my past cars I have always been a dash guy myself. When I get my E300 I have to find a good place for it I can't really picture the whole dash, but I should know in about a month now as my car was just built on Thursday AW YEAH!
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Joined: May 2022
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AMG E53 (W213)
THANK YOU SO MUCH OP!!!
I spent hours trying to connect to the passenger footwell fuse panel via a fuse tap. Connecting to the ground bolt was a pain, and then when I finally got ground, the fuse tap wasn’t working. I finally was about to give up and pay someone (even though I knew it should’ve been an easy install) when I found your post. Beforehand, I didn’t even know there was a 12V plug under the glovebox there… I had never seen it!
Your method took less than 30 min. I already had the wire routed up and around intro the fuse panel compartment, so it was easy to reroute back to under the glovebox. Connected first time and good to go! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I spent hours trying to connect to the passenger footwell fuse panel via a fuse tap. Connecting to the ground bolt was a pain, and then when I finally got ground, the fuse tap wasn’t working. I finally was about to give up and pay someone (even though I knew it should’ve been an easy install) when I found your post. Beforehand, I didn’t even know there was a 12V plug under the glovebox there… I had never seen it!
Your method took less than 30 min. I already had the wire routed up and around intro the fuse panel compartment, so it was easy to reroute back to under the glovebox. Connected first time and good to go! 🙏🏼🙏🏼
