I'd like to discreetly install a 12V source for a GPS/radar detector somewhere in the dash or console area. I don't wish to use the OE cigarette lighter in any fashion. Suggestions would be appreciated, especially if you're already undertaken such a project.

JamesC

 

Assuming you don't smoke, you can put it under the ashtray door. Easy access to the radio +12v wiring. The constant, not the switched ignition feed. It should easily be able to handle the extra power draw. I haven't done it yet, but will in the near future.

 

I have one of these hooked up in my 33 Ply. to the fuse box.I use a GPS in one slot and one for some fancy Black Lighting and the other for my I Pod .Works great,It's not to discrete though(not much room in the coupe to hide anything).

 

James,
I say forget the cigarette power outlet and just run a power and ground (switched 12V or always hot) either under the dash and just have the connector ends just peaking out the front of the dash between the windshield and dash or run the wires up along the A pillar towards the rearview mirror and have them exit the headliner between the windshield and headliner. Only other solution I can think of would be to run the wires so that they could come out one of the small holes directly below the dashboard to the right or the heater vents and gauge cluster.

 

I put a 12 volt outlet in the center console under the lid.When its not being used,you dont even know its there.The wires run up under the console so everything is hidden.
When something is plugged into it,you can still close the lid.If you wanted to be really discreet, you could run the cable ,out the side of the console,but I find that with most things that I use it for,you never notice the cable coming out from under the lid anyway. This may give you some ideas.

Alicat.

 

Here is where I added one.... So much easier to get to and looks like it should have been there. NO obstruction! When I don't have anything plugged in, I have an extra factory lighter that I put in there. So I did use an original Camaro lighter setup that came off a defroster panel that I bought.

 

Oddly enough, I've been considering that very spot (great minds, lol). How'd you make the hole, etc, etc. Any pics or info would be helpful. I assume there's no interference with the ashtray.

JamesC

 

That spot works well.... There was something that I wanted to do differently but I truly cannot remember what it was. I have not been in the car since Thanksgiving. I will get in the car this coming week but the ashtray was good, the way I drilled was a small hole saw, I think I use 5/8" but might have gone up to 3/4". I wired directly off fuse panel so it is always on because I had to run a wire for the clock that I added anyway. I did not use my original console top because I did not want to alter in any way. I think if I did it again. I would have moved it slightly off to the left of center (doing this would have made it easier to insert actual lighter assembly, I was VERY close to the edge of the plastic support behind hole, I did not remove console to drill, did it all right in place) and maybe just a tad lower. I used the brake handle as my reference and centered it in the area when the brake handle was at its lowest point.
Tape the location and mark it before removing, Then do it outside the car, should be smoother than what I did.

 

It doesn't interfere with the ebrake at all? Driving a stick, I use that all the time. I really like that spot.

 

Nope, not one bit! Fully functional e-brake and lots of room.

 

What kind of bit did you use?

JamesC

 

If you want to be discrete, you can always pitch the cig plug and just run a simple female 12 volt connector down to the under-dash panel. Then you can just build a small adapter cable that plugs into that connector with a female cig plug for your accessories.

Another option is to hard wire a 12 volt line that drops down at the top of the windshield near the rearview mirror, and convert your electronics to use whatever plug you choose. Then when you're not using it, you can just tuck it into the headliner. That's how my radar detector is wired in my IROC.

If you want to maintain the cig plug style connector, you could wire a female in the center console storage area. Most modern cars have a cig plug in the center console under the lid, so it's kind of a natural place to stick it.

 

My thought exactly as it eliminates having to mount a cigarette lighter somewhere.

 

The only problem I had with that was, if it is my cell (MP3 player), then I have a wire coming out of my armrest, when driving I use the armrest. Why do I want to lean on the wiring?
Installing a secondary power source is easy, it just depends on form over function or function over form. Heck, I could install a second power source in the headrest but the just doesn't meet my personal requirements.