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I’m looking at installing a dashcam into the w220. I want to hardwire it from the overhead control panel in such a way that power is delivered when the car is turned on.
I’ve done some searching and haven’t found much information. Is there any room up there? I also need a 12v --> 5v USB adapter because the dashcam is powered by a microusb power port. There are plenty of hardwire kits available, It would be nice if someone has done the legwork so far for this. Hardwiring a radar detector would be similarly nice.
I installed a cigar lighter type connector from the overhead unit. I don't recall exactly which wires I tapped it into, but the brown wire is {always} the ground and I used my volt meter to find a hot wire {12volt +} . Set your volt meter to DC volts. Use a alligator clip jumper wire from one meter lead to ground. Then use the other meter lead to penetrate the insulation of the wires until you find one that gives you 12volts on the meter. then splice into those wires for your power source. I think the fat red wire is "hot" at all times. I just hung my connector plug out the side of the overhead unit and put some velcro on it and the top of the rear view mirror to hold it in place.
Why not just tap into the power from the overhead SOS call button? It's a useless nonfunctioning button that would be a great candidate for using its power supply. No need to fiddle around with the overhead control panel wiring which has much more sensitive and useful components.
Why not just tap into the power from the overhead SOS call button? It's a useless nonfunctioning button that would be a great candidate for using its power supply. No need to fiddle around with the overhead control panel wiring which has much more sensitive and useful components.
That would be an option. Does it switch with the ignition? That’s ideally what I’m looking for.
I installed a cigar lighter type connector from the overhead unit. I don't recall exactly which wires I tapped it into, but the brown wire is {always} the ground and I used my volt meter to find a hot wire {12volt +} . Set your volt meter to DC volts. Use a alligator clip jumper wire from one meter lead to ground. Then use the other meter lead to penetrate the insulation of the wires until you find one that gives you 12volts on the meter. then splice into those wires for your power source. I think the fat red wire is "hot" at all times. I just hung my connector plug out the side of the overhead unit and put some velcro on it and the top of the rear view mirror to hold it in place.
Perfect. I think that’s the best solution. I might need two taps, one for the radar detector, the other for the dashcam. Kind of unfortunate there’s no room tom tuck all the cables in. I’ll have to find a decently small USB power hardwire kit. Those cables are ugly AF.
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