W204 C63 (2013) - 12v power sockets

[TinnitusJosh]

I'm looking for a suitable 12v power lead to hardwire my dashcam into and all the info I have been able to find online - including the youtube tutorials - says the cigar lighter in the glove box is the best place

Thing is - I don't have one! Am I missing something, or are these guides aimed at the pre-facelift models only?

In any event, I would be super grateful if anyone could suggest a suitable ignition power lead for me to tap into. I currently have the cable in the cigar lighter in front of the gear stick (which breaks my heart) and I am a bit reluctant to try and run the cable all the way to fuse box in the back if it can be helped

 

[TinnitusJosh]

bump... anyone have any ideas where a 12v lead is somewhere in the cockpit?

 

[markjay]

The idea is that you should remove the 12V cigarette lighter socket and piggy-back on the 12V live feed at the rear, than put it back in place.

Alternatively you can get a 12V feed from the OBDII socket under the dash, though (a) it is always-on i.e. not just with ignition, and (b) from memory the fuse protecting it is 7.5A which may or may not be sufficient for your needs. Access is by undoing the two screws that hold the connector in place, and from the righthand side of the dash (by removing the side panel that is concealed when the door is shut).

PS - my 2013 W204 does not have a 'cigar lighter' in the glove box... and at any rate this sounds to me like an option that is likely to be very rare - how many buyers would actually specify that on a W204? On a Maybach, maybe, but on a C-Class... even an AMG one? Not very many I think....

 

[TinnitusJosh]

Thanks, Mark. I was hoping it wouldn't come to that and that there would be a more easily accessible cable in or around the glove box / passenger footwell as there seems to be with other models. Never mind!

PS - my 2013 W204 does not have a 'cigar lighter' in the glove box... and at any rate this sounds to me like an option that is likely to be very rare - how many buyers would actually specify that on a W204? On a Maybach, maybe, but on a C-Class... even an AMG one? Not very many I think....

Seems to be quite common in the US apparently. Weirdos...

 

[GLK]

As Mark said, the front power socket is the best place to tap into a switched 12V - some rear sockets stay on for up to 20 min (and come on as you unlock the car), and some are permanent.

I'm lucky my fuse box is inside the cabin, so fuse taps are very easy to route, but you should be able to get the socket out and connect to its power supply (with inline fuse, of course).

Also, I'm sure you looked at it, but just in case - double check your dashcam's power requirement - whether it's 5V or 12V.
Most 5V would be a mini- or micro-USB plug. 12V would never be a USB one.

 

[TinnitusJosh]

Thanks. It's 12v for this one and Garmin do a dedicated parking power pack (which i assume has whatever inline fuses and transformers etc that might be needed) Garmin Dash Cam 45/55/65W - Parking Mode Cable Wiring Diagram

I've currently got it plugged into the cigarette lighter and in one side of the glove box, out the other side and then up through the trim in the A pillar. Such an amateur hour job, such an embarrassment...

 

[TinnitusJosh]

The idea is that you should remove the 12V cigarette lighter socket and piggy-back on the 12V live feed at the rear, than put it back in place

Are there any special keys or anything for removing the necessary parts of the interior to get at these lines, as far as you know?

 

[GLK]

Thanks. It's 12v for this one and Garmin do a dedicated parking power pack (which i assume has whatever inline fuses and transformers etc that might be needed) Garmin Dash Cam 45/55/65W - Parking Mode Cable Wiring Diagram

I've currently got it plugged into the cigarette lighter and in one side of the glove box, out the other side and then up through the trim in the A pillar. Such an amateur hour job, such an embarrassment...

I can imagine - I can't stand any wires out in the open either. Nothing is permanently plugged into the front power socket either

Yes, the power pack would have a 12-5 converter, and most likely a fuse, but double-check that. As it needs a permanent 12V, as well as switched one, the best place to fit it, is the main fuse box - you'll have the battery terminals you need, and you can use a standard fuse tap for a front power socket - that way you won't need to take the interior trim apart, to get to the actual socket, and the whole install will be even neater.

 

[TinnitusJosh]

Sounds good, although will mean running the cable to the boot. Can't be helped i suppose!

 

[GLK]

Sounds good, although will mean running the cable to the boot. Can't be helped i suppose!

Better than trying to find a suitable route into the engine bay - been there: fitted my own DRLs controller, with an override button next to the power socket.

 

[Wolfie1]

How about taking a live off your interior light? It will be a permanent live but at least it will charge your dashcam?
Thats where i took my live for mine in my rx7 and its been like that for years without a problem, you would need to research whether its possible due to merc being canbus though

 

[GLK]

Interior light actuation is way too complicated, to rely on it as a power source, plus the SAM might go nuts with the additional load being placed on a [small] bulb.