Hard-wiring a Road Angel in a W203 C-Class?

[MBNuB]

I'd like to provide power to my Road Angel by tapping off the fuse box. On the W203, this is on the righthand side of the dash.

I've got a spare power lead and, if possible, would like to utilise one of the unused positions in the fuse box.

Has anyone used this type of solution to provide power to any similar devices?

If yes, any tips would be very gratefully received.

 

[marnix]

It depends on what year your car is.
If it is from before 2005 and fitted with the Audio10 radio, you will have a plug configuration like on the picture bellow.
If you just tap in to pin 7 & 8 on plug A, your RA will switch On and Off when you put the key in the ignition.
For newer models I don't know as I haven't done one.

 

[David Pemberton]

Hello

I've hardwired a Road Angel compact into my W202 (old shape C). See if any of the ideas can be adapted for the W203.

Bits needed:
RoadAngel compact as it fits neatly in the cubby box below radio / above ashtray.
Extension GPS aerial
Spare USB lead with standard USB on one end and min USB on other
In-line fag-lighter socket
In-line fuse

How to fit:
Remove radio, cubby box, centre console facia (per Haynes or elsewhere on forums)
Ignition switched power comes off a radio feed
Extension antenna goes on top of centre vents, but below dash top. GPS signals pass through plastic and glass so you don't have to have antenna visible, more discrete.
Drill hole in back of cubby to pass power and antenna leads back through
Reassemble with RoadAngel in cubby - easily removed for updates or if you are parking in a dodgy area.

Having RoadAngel neatly tucked in the cubby has a couple of advantages: none of the nasty clutter in the windscreen, the rather bright back lighting less distracting at night.

Whilst you are doing this its a good time to fit a Parrot handsfree kit, if you buy the one with the disply it will also fit in the cubby next to the RoadAngel.

Best wishes

David

 

[MBNuB]

Thank you

Many thanks for your replies, chaps.
I was hoping to put it on the right-hand end of the dash with power supplied straight from the fuse box, thus chickening-out of disassembling the centre dash to access wiring.
Only trouble is, my local dealer tell me they can't supply spare clip-on fuse holders for the end-of-dash fuse box...
Fuse box number is A 203 545 02 00
Any idea from where I could source fuse holders? There are plenty of spare slots in the fuse box, but each of them provides only for the power side of the fuse. The other side of the fuse comes in the form of clip-on fuse holders which appear only to be supplied for those options fitted to the car.
Any ideas very gratefully received.

 

[David Pemberton]

Hi

Not sure of the exact part you want but you could see if these guys have what you want in their online catalogue. They provided me with all the bits needed for a complete re-wire of the alarm on my old SL to near-factory standard.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/

Best wishes

David

 

[MBNuB]

Thank you

Thanks you, David.
They don't appear to have what I want, but I've bookmarked them for future use.
I've also eMailed them to ask about this requirement.

 

[ralphk]

Clive,
I hard wired my Road Angel by taking a wire from the cigarette lighter socket and passing it through to the RH side of the windscreen by way of the under steering wheel trim and back of the fuse box. It works well and the wiring outlet by the windscreen is easily hidden. The trim round the lighter is only clipped in so easily removed.