Radar detector power- where?

2226 Views 18 Replies 6 Participants Last post by B DiVentura, 12 d ago

khoeysr

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

I just got my EQS 580 SUV and I am getting acquainted. It didn't take me long to realize that I was not finding a power outlet for a radar detector. I crawled all over it and looked thru the OM. The only power outlet I could find is in the rear storage area.

Is there an outlet in a secret place?

Am I going to go the installed route?

Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Dar

· #2 · 8 mo ago

Good day. There may be a secret 12 V outlet more easily accessible from passenger side, in some models.

Product Font Output device Parallel Diagram

Likely not what you are seeking but there are also USB ports that offer 20V however you may need to get an adaptor from USB to 12v if radar uses 12v socket normally and even then it may depend on the power requirements of the device

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khoeysr

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago

Thanks for chiming in. There's no port under the glovebox, so I am going to have to go the cordless detector route, even though the power, and thus effectiveness, will be diminished.

Dar

· #4 · 7 mo ago

Maybe someone competent in electronics can comment but this USB-C converter to 12v car female socket might work in theory! EQS SUV may output 20V (5 amp) at the USB-C port "depending equipment" says owner's manual so for 12v output that would be amp of ? Also you may prefer to get something more assuringly expensive but this gives you the general idea.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003684023319.html

Other ways to consider are radar detectors that use a USB-C power source, or hard-wired to car, or extension wired to rear, or the cordless way you mention

Dar

· #5 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

Dar said:
Maybe someone competent in electronics can comment

My very simple understanding is that mathematically,watts is volts multiplied by amps.

Therefore for 12V and 5amp in some EQS SUV, restricted to 3 amp by adaptor above, they could power a radar detector up to 36watt.

A Valentine V1 gen2 only requires max 5.2 watt in max alarm condition or 2.8 watt more typically.

Therefore the USB port should have 6 times as much power as needed. More than enough power, using usb-c to 12v adaptor.

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Mike Valentine explains POP radar systems and the problems with the technology accuracy. Now V1 has full-time POP Radar Protection on two bands.

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Dar

· #6 · 7 mo ago

The main problrm I can think of is normal 12v sockets are 10amp so the Valentine may not be "expecting" lower amps. A transformer may be needed but it is difficult to find a practical one.

The second problem is that these converters themselves might expect only 3 amp not 5amp from EQS.

So I would try the other methods and would not recommend this method without professional advice. Here is similar item in Walmart but doesn't mention amps even!

Robot or human?

Dar

· #7 · 7 mo ago

A sixth additional method is Mercedes may be able to add a 12V socket in the same passenger footwell place using this method:

www.howacarworks.com

Installing a cigarette lighter socket

Although you may not smoke, fitting a cigarette lighter inside your car could be more useful than you think. Car accessory shops are now selling a variety of helpful, practical electrical accessories that are designed especially to work from a cigarette lighter socket.

www.howacarworks.com

bstringer

· #8 · 7 mo ago

khoeysr said:
Thanks for chiming in. There's no port under the glovebox, so I am going to have to go the cordless detector route, even though the power, and thus effectiveness, will be diminished.

I had the same issue with my EQS. The 12 volt outlet is just above the floor of the front passenger on the left at the lower firewall. There is a small black box with a spring loaded door that hides the socket. I purchased a 12 volt port with 3 12 volt outlets on a cord so I could more easily access a 12 volt plug when needed (to power a 12 volt thermoelectric refrigerator).

khoeysr

Discussion Starter · #9 · 7 mo ago

I will take another look. Thanks for taking the time.

Reactions: 1

khoeysr

Discussion Starter · #10 · 7 mo ago

bstringer said:
I had the same issue with my EQS. The 12 volt outlet is just above the floor of the front passenger on the left at the lower firewall. There is a small black box with a spring loaded door that hides the socket. I purchased a 12 volt port with 3 12 volt outlets on a cord so I could more easily access a 12 volt plug when needed (to power a 12 volt thermoelectric refrigerator).

Success, it's right where you describe. Turns out the top edge of the passenger floor mat was covering the little box. All good now. Thanks again.

Reactions: 1

LAZARU5

· #11 · 7 mo ago

khoeysr said:
Success, it's right where you describe. Turns out the top edge of the passenger floor mat was covering the little box. All good now. Thanks again.

Can you post a photo of the 12v outlet with something plugged in to it? I can't find it in my EQS 450 SUV. I have a feeling that the passenger footwell 12v outlet may not be included with SUVs that are fitted with RunFlat tires like my SUV.. One of the SUVs I saw at the dealer had an air compressor in the under cargo storage compartment. I am assuming that SUV did not have RunFlat tires and it probably had the front 12v outlet.

LAZARU5

· #12 · 7 mo ago

According to the EQS/EQE Fuse Information Sheet, there are up to three 12v sockets in the vehicle. Keep in mind that the Fuse Chart is for all the variants of the EQS/EQE chassis including one designated as a limousine. The three fuse slots for the 12v sockets are F400 - 20A, F401 25A, and F402 25A. My car only has the F401 fuse installed and I verified that this is the 12v socket on the left hand side of the rear hatch opening. Since I only have one of the three fuses, I am fairly confident I don't have a 12v socket in the passenger footwell.

khoeysr

Discussion Starter · #13 · 7 mo ago

3

LAZARU5 said:
Can you post a photo of the 12v outlet with something plugged in to it? I can't find it in my EQS 450 SUV. I have a feeling that the passenger footwell 12v outlet may not be included with SUVs that are fitted with RunFlat tires like my SUV.. One of the SUVs I saw at the dealer had an air compressor in the under cargo storage compartment. I am assuming that SUV did not have RunFlat tires and it probably had the front 12v outlet.

Vehicle Hood Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive tire

Here’s some diff pics of the outlet and the connection. Remember that it was initially covered by the passenger side floor mat.

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LAZARU5

· #14 · 7 mo ago

My EQS 450 SUV with runflat tires does not have a passenger foot well 12v socket. I also did not get an air compressor. It looks like the 12v socket in your photo could be easily installed in my car IF the cable to power it was in the dash. But the fact that I only have one of a possible three 12v socket fuses in the fuse panel makes this unlikely.

Stairs Hood Automotive design Grey Automotive tire

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khoeysr

Discussion Starter · #15 · 7 mo ago

Lazarus, you should definitely get the air compressor. Sucks that you don't have a full complement of 12V outlets.

My EQS 580- paid a zillion dollars and no heated steering wheel.

LAZARU5

· #16 · 7 mo ago

I ordered a Tesla air compressor which comes with a storage case. I have accumulated all the things I need to deal with a tire repair on the road and I will be starting a thread on that topic soon.

I have the heated steering wheel in the 450, but I don't have the Hyperscreen which I had intended to get in an EQE 500 SUV. But the fact that the EQE sedan could not be ordered with the Hyperscreen in the USA, got me wondering if it would be available in the EQE 500 SUV. So I grabbed the EQS 450 SUV to lock in the tax credit for 2022.

tonydt1g3r

· #17 · 2 mo ago

Going to try and run a mirror tap. Anyone have a wire diagram or disassembly instructions?

B DiVentura

· #18 · 12 d ago

khoeysr said:
Thanks for chiming in. There's no port under the glovebox, so I am going to have to go the cordless detector route, even though the power, and thus effectiveness, will be diminished.

B DiVentura

· #19 · 12 d ago

It is well concealed. Black on Black flip cover

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