Extra Power sockets? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jfikentscher · #1 06-08-2003, 08:53 AM

Has anyone added extra power sockets to support car phone, pda, laptop, converter etc? I use my car as an office, on the road every day.

I have a three way that plugs in to the lighter but I hate riding with the ash tray open and all those wires cris-crossing the dash and console area. I would like to hard wire a three way receptacle and mount it somewhere under the dash on the driver's side up above my feet.

Any suggettions?

Joe.

#2 06-08-2003, 12:55 PM

The car's are 123, 300D & 300CD.
I came up against the same problem.My solution was.
I took the wood with the shifter and switches off.
On the back side,between seats where the carry all tray is. We installed a female plug,RCA {microphone} jack.
Run two wires thru tunnel of shifter under ash tray and behind dash to battery and installed a 20 amp inline fuse.
Then I have a three way and a four way plug with male RCA jack.
So when I need 12 volt I plug in the adapter. Then plug in my Inverter,CD,Cell. If I am not using them I just unplug adapter and stow in glove box.
If I need more power than this it is time to look for a Motel.
It wasn't just the ash tray being open. There were cords everywhere around shifter and it came unpluged easy.
Charlie

Diesel Josh · #3 06-08-2003, 01:53 PM

I did the same thing as charlie, running the cord underneath the passenger seat. It is a huge improvement, as the lighter in 123's was definitely not designed to do anything besides light your cigarette.

Michael · #4 06-08-2003, 02:23 PM

I picked up an auxillary power socket from an ML and plan to install it on the side of my trans tunnel. Looks like and OE, and has a lockable & sprung cover to keep it pretty inconspicuous.

300SDog · #5 06-08-2003, 03:46 PM

What makes you think triple socket outputs under the dash over your feet will prevent the dangling wire problem?

Glove box gets my vote as best location. Its near the battery and with luck your cell phone charger will fit inside.

Then you can run permanent laptop wire out the back, under the carpeting to........ Actual Police Style Laptop Computer Desk - mounted on its own stantion from either the passenger side flooboards - or the center console - or even bolted to the dashboard.

Here's the link for the super kewl automobile laptop desk -

http://www.jottodesk.com/

Fisherman · #6 06-08-2003, 07:57 PM

Really simple location si the side panel on the passengers side up near the top. It is out of the way of knees and a dual outlet there gives you plenty of power. I just used a fender washer behind the carpet mount board for additional holding power.

The battery can be accessed by going through the access hole just above the passengers feet under the kick panel.

rwthomas1 · #7 06-08-2003, 09:31 PM

I got a dual-outlet power socket thingie at Pep Boys for under $10. I mounted it on the passenger side of the console directly adjacent to the ashtray with the supplied double-sided tape. (which holds VERY well despite my skepticisim) I ran the power cord to the factory cigarette lighter power feed and simply tapped into it by making a "Y" adaptor with male/female spade connectors and plugged into the factory wiring. This circuit is already fused and using the spade connectors allow me to remove the wiring easily at a later date. It works great and doesn't bother the passengers at all. RT

#8 06-09-2003, 01:09 PM

micheal,
can you take a pic of your install so we can see? thanks