More Power (the 110V kind)

[gotmud]

Seems like there's always a need for 110 power in my 80. In the past, this meant using either a cigarette lighter inverter, or the 2000 watt inverter in the back. The cigarette lighter inverter was fine if you didn't mind all the clutter up front. The big inverter out back was OK, except it was a little noisy and a power hog, even if you were only charging a laptop or video camera.

After removing my rear heater and switch I figured I would solve this issue. Toyota makes a 110V outlet and switch for a few of their newer vehicles. I ordered in a couple of outlets and a switch from an 07 Matrix and installed them where the rear heater fan switch was. Installation was stupid easy since these OE switches fit the 80's holes perfectly.

Wiring is pretty straight forward for the outlets, the switch has leads for the dash lights as well as a power.

*unfortunately my memory card from the install will no longer read, but below are a few post install pics*

First, I removed the stock radio amp which made room for the 500W inverter.

I removed the case and connected the inverter's on/off circuit wiring to the OEM switch through a 30 amp relay.

Next, I removed the inverter's outlets and extended the wiring to the outlets in the dash.

Switch and two outlets

Close up

Covers open showing recepticles

 

[gotmud]

I did the install in a few steps spread out over a few weeks. Wiring is pretty straight forward even without the plugs for the back of the recepticles and power switch.

I'm pretty happy with the clean look of the install.

 

[NLXTACY]

parts numbers my good friend...part numbers.

 

[spdwaver]

That does look very clean!

Have you tested the system yet?

 

[gotmud]

Some how I knew YOU would ask:

Switch ASSY, MAIN - 84480-41020 MSRP-74.19 Mud Price $53.00
SOCKET ASSY, POWER POINT, NO2 - 85530-41030 MSRP $36.01 Mud Price $25.60

Yes, I have some extras in stock

 

[gotmud]

That does look very clean!

Have you tested the system yet?

Works like it should! Slight fan noise from behind the glove box.

 

[96r50]

Wow, that's awesome! I was just thinking about remote mounting the outlets on my inverter. Good timing

 

[OGBeno]

Nice job. Really good work here for some functional OEM bling.

 

[JollyGreen]

Awesome!!!

 

[nat88toy]

very clean install very nice

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Cool, I am working a 110V project as well but I am using a custom cup holder Nakman was kind enough to make. It is similar to his other cup holders but with an extra front slot: Gamiviti - roof racks and cup holders

I know I had some other slots open on my console but I intend to use those for rock and rear light switches.

 

[jonheld]

Dude, you have Neil Diamond CDs in your center console.

 

[Pathfinder]

Dude, you have Neil Diamond CDs in your center console.

Thats cause wearsbrowncoat knows how to ROCK!!!

 

[gotmud]

Once a head banger, always a head banger! I'm sure they belong to the

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Dude, you have Neil Diamond CDs in your center console.

Guilty.

 

[lt403]

great idea.. just to be clear ..the inverter went where the rear heater is( by the cd changer under center arm rest)? i noticed that the outlets don't have 3 holes, missing grounding plug. do low wattage appliances not have a ground plug?

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Gotmud put his inverter under the passenger side seat where the rear heater was.

I put my Black and Decker inverter under the center console. It was the 100W version pictured here: Power Inverters from Black and Decker

Cool thing about the B&D was it also had a USB power port that I plugged an extension into and routed inside the center console.

Good explanation of two vs three prong outlets: HowStuffWorks "What is the difference between two- and three-pronged plugs?"

 

[trk204]

How much space is there right at the hinge? It looks pretty tight for some of those do-it-yourself round 3 prong plugs.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Three prong won't work, the receptacle is two prong.

 

[trk204]

lol thats what I thought at first, then I saw the notch, but looking at it again i guess thats for the cover