Demon I Am
03-05-2013, 05:41 PM
So, I'm tired of not having a way to charge my phone. The stock "cigar lighter" is dead, and a new one from Rosenthall is $30. The location for that is not ideal for charging things, as the cord hangs around the shifter. I do not like cords hanging out all over the place, so I need to add an additional power outlet to the car.
Looking at my options, there was 3 places where a power outlet would be beneficial.
1. In the armrest cubby. hidden when installed, but the cord would have to hang out, and might be damaged by the lid constantly pushing on it
2. Glove Box. same issue with cords hanging out, but a better location for charging my son's gameboy, or my tablet. Obviously hard to reach, if needing to grab something while driving.
3. Window switch blanking plate. Perfect spot. The cord is out of the way, not likely to damage anything, and has a mostly factory look. Also easy to reverse if I decide that I don't like it there.
I bought a generic power outlet from my FLAPS. Went for the shortest/shallowest one they had. I have the extra lengths of wire and some butt connectors, tape and heat-shrink.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8531577501_93d055aa9e.jpg
First I removed the console (5 screws), flipped it over, then removed the blank plate (3 screws.
Then I took a Post-It note, and made a template of the of the plate's face. Fold that template in half longways, unfold, then fold height-wise. Put the template back on the blank face. the intersection of the 2 folds is the center.
Drill a pilot hole with a small bit through your center mark. Remove the post it, and use a 7/8" bit to make your hole.
Push the insert through the front and tighten down the outer piece (from underneath) to lock it in place.
Re-attach the blank plate to the console.
I ended up with this:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8531578291_bcf7f5e030_z.jpg
Now I just need to run the power and ground wires, protect those connections and I'll be done.
I don't like cutting into my factory wiring, so I will be running a wire to the fuse box, and using an "Add-A-Circuit".
More to come tomorrow.
Looking at my options, there was 3 places where a power outlet would be beneficial.
1. In the armrest cubby. hidden when installed, but the cord would have to hang out, and might be damaged by the lid constantly pushing on it
2. Glove Box. same issue with cords hanging out, but a better location for charging my son's gameboy, or my tablet. Obviously hard to reach, if needing to grab something while driving.
3. Window switch blanking plate. Perfect spot. The cord is out of the way, not likely to damage anything, and has a mostly factory look. Also easy to reverse if I decide that I don't like it there.
I bought a generic power outlet from my FLAPS. Went for the shortest/shallowest one they had. I have the extra lengths of wire and some butt connectors, tape and heat-shrink.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8531577501_93d055aa9e.jpg
First I removed the console (5 screws), flipped it over, then removed the blank plate (3 screws.
Then I took a Post-It note, and made a template of the of the plate's face. Fold that template in half longways, unfold, then fold height-wise. Put the template back on the blank face. the intersection of the 2 folds is the center.
Drill a pilot hole with a small bit through your center mark. Remove the post it, and use a 7/8" bit to make your hole.
Push the insert through the front and tighten down the outer piece (from underneath) to lock it in place.
Re-attach the blank plate to the console.
I ended up with this:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8531578291_bcf7f5e030_z.jpg
Now I just need to run the power and ground wires, protect those connections and I'll be done.
I don't like cutting into my factory wiring, so I will be running a wire to the fuse box, and using an "Add-A-Circuit".
More to come tomorrow.