I want to tap into teh 12volt power supply from the cigarrette lighter in the ashtray. This is for a "permanent" portable GPS receiver installation. How do I remove teh astray to get to the wires or what is the easiest way.

The reason way the cigarrette light looks attractive solution, is that I can hide the power adaptor inside the ashtray when not using it.

Any other easy ways to tap into 12 volt power.

The car is a 1999 C280

If you want "all the time" power first make sure the cig lighter is on "all the time". I needed that in my Toyota and found out that it was only on with the key on. I never checked my Mercedes since I don't smoke. In the Toyota I ended up tapping into another source, in that case a wire that powered the puddle/marker light in the door. The radio should have a constant source as well as certain lights. It will be helpful if you have a wiring diagram. Maybe someone else has a more specific answer.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

You might want to tap into the glove box light

I tap into the red/white stripe (hot) radio wire behind the radio.
I use that wire for phone installs, GPS, radar laser systems and just about anything else I need to install.
It's a big, fat wire that carries plenty of current and I have never had a problem with voltage drops there.

Thanks for the advise. Do you think this light will be able to take the current to charge a gps battery?

Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to remove the ashtay on a W202 - preferably with photos.