12 V switched power
 

Can someone tell me a good place to tap into either under the dash or at the fuse box in the engine bay for SWITCHED 12V power? Car is a 1983 300D.

Thanks.

Glenn

I usually use a standard wire push on terminal and push it over the metal fin that holds one of the fuses in the fuse box. you will have to widen/open up the terminal a little wider with a flat head screw driver, but it will slide right on and fit snugly. if you are using a smaller gauge wire you will be able to put the fuse box cover back on and have the wire running out from under the cover.
i believe both fuse # 6 and 8 "switched" power. that will only get power when the key is turned. double check the fuse with a voltmeter to see if there is power running form the fuse before turning the key and after.

A better question is, to what end? For nominal power consumption (not radio) I just pull off the cig adapter.

Look on the Fuse Chart. There is supposed to be an empty spot to hook up other stuff.

Wow! I really like that idea. Very clever and innovative !

A valid question.

There are a few sources inside the cabin. The factory radio wires, for example, in the console. Various screws off the headlight switch if you're looking for something on that side. I've posted the wires for both of those locations recently. <<edit: the headlight has unswitched, hot in OFF and hot in ACCY, but no "hot only in RUN" - and also no 15's >>

If you can find a wiring diagram pins marked "15" a commonly switched.

Consider consumption the fuse size when tapping off a line.

There should be no trouble finding one in the fuse box. Turn the box over and you ought to have the fuse list.

As always with 25 year old electrics - trust but verify with a meter.

Beware! I think pin 15 off of the headlight switch is not fused!

I edited the above post.

I don't think the headlight switch is fused at all, it distributes power from the battery to the fuse box, and in a few cases back the to the headlight switch again.

A different option in that corner may be the cruise control amp. It's fused and switched, and commonly out of order anyway. Red/yellow per the FSM to pin 1 on the amp. Colors may vary.