denjermen

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.

West_Coaster

Cool, thanks for the write up. I was wondering how to do this.

ua549

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.

Lanzz

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.

denjermen

Lanzz

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...

pcascio

I'm guessing you might be in the U.K.. My U.S. 2017 version doesn't have a 12v in the front passenger compartment.

ua549

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.

West_Coaster

I wonder if the wiring harness has a plug for the 12V outlet up front, just no outlet? Can't imagine they have too many different wiring harnesses.

ua549

BTDT There is no wiring up front for switched power.

Tom T

I wired mine to the center console lighter outlet. It's not that hard to get to.

ua549

Is that at the back of your console or are you a lucky one with an outlet at the front of your console?

Tom T

It's the back of the console. 2x T20 to release the light panel and 2x10mm to lift the center console high enough to run the wire.

Courthaven

Does anybody have a pic of where there radar detector is on the dash? Just curious as I am going to have to make plans when my car gets delivered

Thanks

Egonvdv

pics are in the PDF write-up in OP 1st post.

Courthaven

Thanks! Ah so it is on the windshield, Nice. I have always had mine on the dash but I like it on the windshield.

West_Coaster

OP, does pulling the visor down hit the radar detector?

denjermen

West Coaster, the visor only hits the radar detector if I push it all the way forward. Here are some pix.

West_Coaster

Cool, thanks for the pics.

Now I'm wondering if there's a switched 12V spot I can tap into in the area where the overhead light switches are.

denjermen

West_Coaster

OK, rear outlet it is.

suby01

Mine is hardwired and run through bottom of the windshield and inside the passenger side of the dash and down the interior panels to the trunk fuse box.

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-

Tom T

I like mine right above my dash. It's right next to my fingers to press the buttons and easy to see.

Courthaven

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!

oglit

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! 🙏🏼🙏🏼