Lidatek E46 power tap -- please help

*Plaz* · 06-05-2005, 01:49 PM

Okay, so I've got my car's interior in pieces... removed the glove compartment and the glove compartment housing... and holy crap the sheer number of wires back there is intimidating.

I've routed my lidatek transponder cables through the two unused "udders" in the rubber grommet in the firewall, and now need to find a wire to tap for power... anyone got any suggestions?

I'm flirting with the idea of just tapping one of the wires running to the power window switches in the center console, since I've got that all apart already as well. (putting the LED and Switch in the ashtray)

Any advice appreciated.

ff · 06-05-2005, 02:12 PM

Do you need constant power to this lidatek doo-hicky? If so, my suggestion would be to tap off the cigarette lighter's power.

*Plaz* · 06-05-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ff

Do you need constant power to this lidatek doo-hicky? If so, my suggestion would be to tap off the cigarette lighter's power.

No, switched power would be better. I don't want to have to remember to turn the thing off every time I shut the car down.

Nick M3 · 06-05-2005, 03:01 PM

I plugged it into the fuse box. Didn't like the idea of tapping wires.

elbert · 06-05-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I plugged it into the fuse box. Didn't like the idea of tapping wires.

Yep. Get a 0.25 inch spade connector, and plug it into one of the empty fuse slots.
***Make sure you have an inline fuse in place***

I can't quite remember exactly, but one half of the fuse bank is switched differently than the other. That is, one half will switch off as soon as you turn off the car, the other half will switch off after a time period (like your interior lights if you leave a door open). You can check easily with a multimeter.

You can also get one of those add-a-circuit fuse adapters that plug right into an empty fuse slothttp://www.wurthusa.com/project/en/leftnavi/catalog/product.php?path=03.0211.jpg

*Plaz* · 06-05-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I plugged it into the fuse box. Didn't like the idea of tapping wires.

You don't happen to recall what slot, do you?

I guess that would be better than a tap.

*Plaz* · 06-05-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbert

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I plugged it into the fuse box. Didn't like the idea of tapping wires.

Yep. Get a 0.25 inch spade connector, and plug it into one of the empty fuse slots.
***Make sure you have an inline fuse in place***

I can't quite remember exactly, but one half of the fuse bank is switched differently than the other. That is, one half will switch off as soon as you turn off the car, the other half will switch off after a time period (like your interior lights if you leave a door open). You can check easily with a multimeter.

You can also get one of those add-a-circuit fuse adapters that plug right into an empty fuse slothttp://www.wurthusa.com/project/en/leftnavi/catalog/product.php?path=03.0211.jpg

Thanks... it does have (what appears to be) an inline fuse on the lead that goes to the power switch.

elbert · 06-05-2005, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

Thanks... it does have (what appears to be) an inline fuse on the lead that goes to the power switch.

Yeah, but I think it's 10amp minimum. Your Lidatek might have a lower amp rating. I guess you can switch out the fuse, but I don't know if there will be one that is low enough of a rating.

I wired my V1 using the glovebox fuse bank, using the spade connector as I mentioned above. I got a 1 amp fuse inline fuse from Radio Shack.

Nick M3 · 06-05-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbert

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

Thanks... it does have (what appears to be) an inline fuse on the lead that goes to the power switch.

Yeah, but I think it's 10amp minimum. Your Lidatek might have a lower amp rating. I guess you can switch out the fuse, but I don't know if there will be one that is low enough of a rating.

I wired my V1 using the glovebox fuse bank, using the spade connector as I mentioned above. I got a 1 amp fuse inline fuse from Radio Shack.

That's a lidatek provided fuse. It's the correct rating.

The HACK · 06-06-2005, 01:45 AM

BMW wires are color coded, if you know the codes you can easily decipher which wire or which bank on the fuse panel to tap.

For example, brown is always ground, and brown with black is a higher gauge wire. Green is always switched power, the color indicate how much current it's expected to draw...I think green with yellow is on a 5 amp fuse. Blue is accessory power I think, when you turn the key to the first position this will come on. I think there's a couple of other colors that indicate power per key position, and a few other that indicate amperage.

06-05-2005, 01:49 PM	#1
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	Lidatek E46 power tap -- please help Okay, so I've got my car's interior in pieces... removed the glove compartment and the glove compartment housing... and holy crap the sheer number of wires back there is intimidating. I've routed my lidatek transponder cables through the two unused "udders" in the rubber grommet in the firewall, and now need to find a wire to tap for power... anyone got any suggestions? I'm flirting with the idea of just tapping one of the wires running to the power window switches in the center console, since I've got that all apart already as well. (putting the LED and Switch in the ashtray) Any advice appreciated. __________________ 2011 1M

06-05-2005, 03:01 PM	#4
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	I plugged it into the fuse box. Didn't like the idea of tapping wires. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

06-06-2005, 01:45 AM	#10
The HACK Crotchety Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: So. Cal Posts: 1,114	BMW wires are color coded, if you know the codes you can easily decipher which wire or which bank on the fuse panel to tap. For example, brown is always ground, and brown with black is a higher gauge wire. Green is always switched power, the color indicate how much current it's expected to draw...I think green with yellow is on a 5 amp fuse. Blue is accessory power I think, when you turn the key to the first position this will come on. I think there's a couple of other colors that indicate power per key position, and a few other that indicate amperage. __________________ • SEMA 2004 • Leadership Matrix has been passed, Ricemus Prime Lives!!!

06-05-2005, 02:12 PM	#2
ff . Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,514	Do you need constant power to this lidatek doo-hicky? If so, my suggestion would be to tap off the cigarette lighter's power.