So my searching so far has led me no where and my 240D is currently without a battery. I don't remember if the dome light is "Switched Power" or "Constant Power". I am moving the Dash Cams from my current vehicle to my 240D and am trying to plan the electrical portion of the install.

I can't go outside and test it, since the dome light did not work (could not test it when the car was running) and i had to remove the battery temporarily, so that is why i am posting here.

I am also needing to install a rear camera, and need to figure out if i have to run a cable all the way to the trunk, or if i can steal power off of a tail light. The power draw is less than 1 amp at 12v, so i should not be having any issues with blowing fuses.

Has anyone installed any dash cams in their W123's yet?


edit:
Well I just found a post that was talking about a 83 240D having constant power from fuse F2 to the Front and Rear Dome lights. that means that my cameras would run all the time. I might just have to power directly off of a fuse that has power only when running and run wires to my cameras.

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

There are different wires behind the dash you can use depending on whether you want always hot, acc or run. I have mine on run. I forget which exactly, but a little time with a multi meter and you'll have it figured out. Love mine - excellent quality and very discreet. When I travel I use three 32GB cards I rotate through.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

I hardwired mine into the cigarette lighter circuit. It was pretty easy to run the wire up behind the A-pillar trim. I can't think of any circuit in the rear that would give you the same power though.

-Rog

This is exactly what I've done with my 77 300D too. It works well and is very easy.

Good luck!

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Baton Rouge, LA
1977 300D Non-Turbo

I ran mine across the headliner, down the A pillar trim on the passenger side, and under the speaker grill. You can tuck the wire in under the trim and it disappears and goes perfectly down under the speaker grill. I removed the glovebox liner and tapped the dashcam power into the glovebox light. The glove box light is switched with the ignition, just make sure to connect the power upstream of the glovebox light button, otherwise it'll obviously only work with the glovebox open.

Unfortunately the dome light and visor lights are constant powered.

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1984 300TD -- summer daily driver
Many others that aren't Mercedes...

The only switched 12V source in the trunk at is the fuel tank sender. How about using the lighter or radio for switched 12v up front?

Wold anyone mind telling us which camer they have? This would help interested parties considering the purchase of a dash cam.

Thanks!

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ0J452

If you get that one, make sure you get the real one, not the knockoff that people confuse with the real one when they complain about it. I like it a lot and it's worked flawlessly. I know there are better/smaller/whatever ones now though.

-Rog