For Mercedes-Benz owners looking to enhance their vehicle’s security with a dashcam, ensuring a stable and reliable power source is crucial. Many opt for direct wiring kits, which tap into the car’s fuse box. However, directly connecting a dashcam to your Mercedes-Benz’s starter battery can lead to unwanted battery drain, especially in models with advanced energy management systems. This is where a dedicated battery pack comes into play, offering a safer and more efficient solution. In this guide, we’ll delve into how to properly power your dashcam using a dedicated battery pack and the importance of selecting the correct Mercedes Benz Fuses for installation.
Why Choose a Dedicated Battery Pack for Your Dashcam?
Dashcams, while invaluable for recording driving incidents, continuously draw power. When directly connected to your Mercedes-Benz’s car battery, especially in parking mode, this constant drain can, over time, deplete your starter battery. This issue is amplified in colder climates or with vehicles used primarily for short trips, where the battery may not fully recharge.
A dedicated battery pack, like the Thinkware iVolt Mini, acts as an intermediary power source. It charges while your Mercedes-Benz is running and powers the dashcam when the engine is off. This method offers several key benefits:
- Prevents Starter Battery Drain: The dashcam draws power from the battery pack, not your car’s main battery, safeguarding against depletion and potential starting issues.
- Ensures Continuous Recording: Provides extended recording time in parking mode, even when the car is off, offering enhanced security.
- Protects Battery Lifespan: By reducing the load on the starter battery, especially during parking mode operation of the dashcam, you can potentially extend the lifespan of your Mercedes-Benz battery.
Finding the Right Mercedes Benz Fuses: Identifying a “Run” Fuse
When installing a dedicated battery pack, it’s essential to tap into a Mercedes Benz fuse that is active only when the ignition is in the “Run” mode (engine running or in the ‘Run’ position). This ensures the battery pack charges only when the alternator is supplying power, avoiding unnecessary drain when the car is off. Using an “Accessory” fuse, which remains powered in accessory mode, could still lead to some battery drain when you are using car accessories without the engine running, and also isn’t ideal for charging a battery pack.
Locating a “Run” fuse in your Mercedes-Benz fuse box requires careful testing. Fuse box locations can vary depending on your specific Mercedes-Benz model and year, often found in the engine compartment or passenger footwell.
To identify a “Run” fuse:
- Consult Your Mercedes-Benz Manual: Your owner’s manual provides fuse box diagrams and descriptions. However, it may not explicitly label “Run” fuses.
- Test Fuses with a Multimeter or Test Light: Systematically test each fuse in the fuse boxes with the ignition in the “Run” position (double-press start button without starting engine, or key turned to the ‘Run’ position). A “Run” fuse will only show power when the car is in this mode.
In many Mercedes-Benz vehicles, Fuse #29, often designated for “Trailer Recognition Control Unit,” can be a suitable “Run” fuse. It’s crucial to verify this in your specific model, as fuse assignments can differ. Importantly, in the example installation, Fuse #29 was found to be a 15A fuse and was unused in the vehicle, providing ample overhead for charging the iVolt Mini, even though Thinkware recommends a 20A fuse. Always confirm fuse suitability and consult the specifications of your battery pack.
Installation Tips for Your iVolt Mini Battery Pack in a Mercedes-Benz
Once you’ve identified a suitable Mercedes Benz fuse, you can proceed with the installation. The Thinkware iVolt Mini is designed for relatively straightforward installation.
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Placement: The iVolt Mini is compact and can often be neatly tucked away behind the glove compartment in many Mercedes-Benz models. This location is often spacious and may even have existing padding to secure the battery pack, negating the need for Velcro or tape. Ensure the control buttons are accessible for future adjustments. Larger battery packs might not fit in this space.
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Wiring: Consider using high-quality, flexible silicone stranded copper wire for connections instead of the potentially stiff and overly long wires provided with some battery packs. Using bullet connectors allows for easy removal and reconnection if needed.
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Fuse Tap: A fuse tap is essential for safely and cleanly tapping into your chosen Mercedes Benz fuse without damaging the original wiring. Ensure you orient the fuse tap correctly, as fuse polarity can vary in different sections of the fuse box. In this example, the fuse tap orientation is opposite to previous installations in other fuse locations due to polarity differences in the Mercedes-Benz fuse box.
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Fuse Box Cover Modification: You may need to carefully cut a small notch in the fuse box cover to accommodate the fuse tap wire, ensuring the cover can still close properly and protect the fuses.
Conclusion
Installing a dedicated battery pack for your dashcam is a smart upgrade for your Mercedes-Benz, safeguarding your starter battery and ensuring continuous recording. Careful selection of a Mercedes Benz fuse, specifically a “Run” fuse like Fuse #29 (after verification for your model), is crucial for proper installation. By following these steps and tips, you can effectively power your dashcam and enjoy enhanced vehicle security without compromising your Mercedes-Benz’s electrical system.
