Install Alpine/Pure DAB radio to w212 with Audio 20 / Nav 50

[jlb777]

Hi All,

My shiny new e class arrived today

I have purchased the Alpine EZI DAB system and wanted some kind souls to guide me
Alpine - DAB - EZi-DAB

I have a few questions that I would really appreciate some help with:

1 - Where should I power the control unit from? It has the usual options, e.g. switched 12v, permanent 12v, ground, mute etc. Which options should be connected and where from?

2 - I was thinking to put the control box in the glove compartment top shelf, does that sound OK?

3 - Can I input to my audio50 non command head unit via aux-in at the back, as opposed to using the aux-in in the centre compartment via the UCI? If so, how?

4 - What is the best route to take from the glove box to the windscreen in terms of running the stick on amplified Alpine aerial? Will the merc windscreen block the signal?

Thanks to all in advance.....

James

 

[richard]

ezi-dab is meant to be mounted out of sight. Stick to the top of the plate above passenger footwell, or mount to the back of the metal plate at the end of passenger footwell (best place)
All the power wires on ezidab are fused so take permanent power (+12 and ground (black not brown!) from stereo power, and switched and lighting feeds from the cigarette lighter
Use the AUX in, just plumb wire into glovebox and plug it in. EZIDab comes with 3.5mm AUX cable - then you don't have to worry about wiring the FM antennas through it and it sounds good.
Then run the antenna wire up the A pillar, but be careful not to wrap the wire around the airbag in there (think about how it needs to pop out in an accident)

The most important question that you haven;t asked is where to put the aerial !

Middle of the windscreen (behind the mirror), and get a good ground for the ground plane connection on the ezidab antenna

Richard

 

[jlb777]

Thanks so much Richard, I must say a big thanks for your replies to my various forum postings.

Couple of questions if you could be so kind to comment sir:-
1 - Is the metal plate in the passenger foot well at the top or bottom, can it be easily removed?
2 - Sadly I have a new 2012 model of e class, as such I only have an aux connection in the centre compartment in the form of the uci cables. Guess I must therefore somehow route a long 3.5mm cable somehow through the centre console. Is there another aux in hidden in the glove compartment? If not, any idea how to best route the 3.5mm cable into the centre compartment?
3 - Is the lighting feed classified as illumination on the ezi dab loom?
4 - Again, I have the 2012 e class, so the only cigarette lighter is in the bottom / front centre console. Any where else you know of where I can easily piggy back switched and illumination power?

Sorry to be such a pain.....
James

 

[sinewave]

Being as you can afford a new E class in the first place would it not be better to let an expert such as Richard do this job in 20% of the time you might take in addition to running the risk of butchering ya new motor??

 

[jlb777]

That may be a very very good idea

Would you kindly confrim a price for installation Richard and your location. I am in the Midlands.

Thanks
James

 

[richard]

Hi
Metal plate is where your feet go if you stick them out , and is held in by 3 or 4 plastic 10mm nuts.
Yes, as you have Media Interface, you need to run to the AUX in the armrest. the 3.5mm cable is quite long, but actually you may have to locate the control unit a bit nearer to it that the footplate.
(3) Yes
(4) Cigarette lighter is really the only place for switched power

Contact Alfie for an install cost, [email protected] - we're in Lightwater, Surrey, which is M3 Junc 3 (1 junction south of the M25). Quickest way from Midlands is down the M40 and through Bracknell

Cheers

Richard