12v outlets in front

[Ebag333]

I tend to run a lot of little devices when making trips, and so got annoyed with only being able to plug in one thing at a time up front. No option to charge my cell phone, GPS unit, and have the power inverter all hooked up at the same time.

Anyway, I was in Fred Meyer's and they had a 3 outlet one that looked like it'd fit perfectly for $10. Even had the nice switch and LED on the side so I can manually flip it off if I so desire.

Anyway, enough chat. Here are the pics.



Cover cut. Was actually suprisingly easy, though it's *THICK*.

Location where it will go. TONS of room.

Strip on top of the cover.

Test fitting. Was nearly a perfect fit the first time, despite the odd curve.

Closeup of how it fits. There's some plastic sticking up on the edges, so it's not as clean looking as it really is.

I used some stuff called Repair Plastic to fill in the big gaps. I'll also probably drop some epoxy/glue to make it a really solid fitting, as I really don't want this popping out.

Over all it actually looks great. Except for one cut that I went a bit too long on you can hardly see the cut edges. My original plan was to spray paint it black (after roughing up the wood color), but I'm going to leave it for now as it doesn't really bother me.

More/Larger pics: Picasa Web Albums - Ebag333 - 3 Cigarette O...


The next step is to get a fuse block and wire it up. I haven't decided what size fuse to get, all three of these will be on the same fuse so I don't want to go too large. I'm thinking no more than 15 amps (allows for 3x5) but I might go 10. The cable run would be *VERY* short as I'm going to mount the fuse block right next to it.

 

[thestallionq8]

Good idea and great job!

 

[NLXTACY]

Nice although looking at it I might have done the outlets going towards the passenger side with some form of cable management. I get annoyed by having wires on or near the shifters. Of course its totally a personal thing. Good job!

 

[stocknlocked94]

I actually have the same outlet strip just not permanently installed. Thanks for the great idea. Keep me posted on hard wiring the strip as that is the only part I am unsure of.

 

[knorrena]

Could you repost larger pictures of the final product - I am old and cant get squinty enough to see you handiwork.

Karl

 

[Ebag333]

Nice although looking at it I might have done the outlets going towards the passenger side with some form of cable management. I get annoyed by having wires on or near the shifters. Of course its totally a personal thing. Good job!

Most of the devices (cell, GPS) end up on the shift cover anyway, so this way I won't have the cables dangling down to get the passenger's legs tangled up.

I'll probably get some of those velcro zip ties for cable management.

I will however be putting some in the back somewhere for the 2nd row. It drives me nuts when there's cables strung up from the back to the front. Just gotta figure out where.....

Could you repost larger pictures of the final product - I am old and cant get squinty enough to see you handiwork.

Karl

More/Larger pics: Picasa Web Albums - Ebag333 - 3 Cigarette O...

Those big enough for ya?

 

[Vitesse_6]

Looks vaguely familiar

IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Laptop mount?

 

[Ebag333]

Looks vaguely familiar

IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Laptop mount?

No cutting on yours though. Wuss.


Though I must admit I did this to my truck. No way the Mrs. would let me touch hers with a cutting wheel (at least until she see's it on mine, first).

 

[Vitesse_6]

No cutting on yours though. Wuss.

You didnt see the other side where I mounted my HAM

 

[Corbet]

Nice work, I debated putting mine in the same spot but ended up with this instead

 

[MLX450]

Nice work, I debated putting mine in the same spot but ended up with this instead

Where did you get those 12V outlets? Nice!

 

[Corbet]

Where did you get those 12V outlets? Nice!

They are the standard West Marine outlet.

West Marine: 12V Flush Mount Receptacles & Plugs Product Display

So far they have worked just fine for me but others have complained that things rattle out of them. My fridge/CB/Phone stayed in at Cruise Moab without incident. (I have a set in the rear as well)

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I use those West Marine ones as well, and I've nver had a fridge or anything else come out by accident. I believe they can also be had with a locking male connector for added security.

 

[Ebag333]

Nice work, I debated putting mine in the same spot but ended up with this instead

Well I know what's going in the Mrs. Much cleaner (and probably easier).

Though I do like that the way I went will keep all the cables/plugs away from the passenger's legs.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

This thread made me go look at my UK spec 100 series to see what outlets I had, thinking that I might want to buy some to install in my 80 in the US. Attached are some photos. I have ivory interior (looks like the Oak interior of my 80). The 100's here only came in Ivory or Grey interior (I guess same as the US). Anyway, I have a 12V outlet in front with a black cover, next to the cigarette lighter and one in the rear with an Ivory cover. I checked at the dealer and here are the part numbers and prices:

85530-33020, Socket assy, power point, $25.48 (I converted to US)
85535-60040-CO, Cover, power point socket, black, $16.31
85530-60010, Socket Assy, power point, RR, $50.45
85535-60040-A1, Cover, power outlet socket, RR, $16.31

The prices are quite high but I really like the way the covers work. I don't know why the sockets have different part numbers. I would have thought they were the same.

Anyway, I thought someone might check to see if these are available in the US. I tried searching on the 100 forum and looking at photos in Autotrader but couldn't really figure out if they came with these same sockets.

Maybe an email to CDan to see if the parts are available as I'm sure they would be cheaper.

Front photos:

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Here's the one in the rear with the ivory cover. I would think that you could install either of these almost anywhere that you had enough depth. This socket/cover would certainly look more factory than any aftermarket outlet that I've seen:

 

[Elijah]

Yeah, the U.S. hundred series also have those.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Back and top of console and 3rd row/cargo (partially obscured by the tumbled 3rd row). I did not put more plugs up front since we use an inverter rather than additional 12v. The side of the console might have been better but we chose the top since the po had allready drilled and mounted the fire extinguisher on the side. If we find ourselves using a "y" cord up front there is room to add an additional plug.

 

[coreyaday]

They are the standard West Marine outlet.

West Marine: 12V Flush Mount Receptacles & Plugs Product Display

So far they have worked just fine for me but others have complained that things rattle out of them. My fridge/CB/Phone stayed in at Cruise Moab without incident. (I have a set in the rear as well)