This console is at the perfect height for me. It has a few nice features.
1- it heats and cools food/beverage
2-perfect arm height armrest
3-handy storage pouch on rear
4-A place for nickel dimes quarters
5-cupholders (2 in front, 2 in back)
6-Matches interior
7-Is only $55

http://home.cogeco.ca/~tpookster/Pictures/HondaElement/cooler.jpg

Wow! I really like that one. What is it? Who makes it? Where did you buy it? Can you still use the parking brake?

I'ts made by Vector and is on sale at Target...U.S.A. It fits tightly between the seats with the armrest. I can still lower the seats and use the parking brake in a pinch as the cooler will move up. You can also position it farther back if you use the brake all the time, but since I never use it, the cooler is over the brake. It holds about 24 cans of "soda"

Since I have gotten numorous emails I will add to this thread...No, the MP3 player is not mounted permanent yet, and yes, you are correct in seeing the cooler is not plugged into the accessory jack.

Underneath the rear of the cooler in the stock console tray is a 3 way cigarrete lighter splitter/adapter. The cooler, MP3 player and 120 volt power inverter (under driver's seat) is plugged into the splitter . The spliter is wired directly into the fuse panel in an empty connection. All wires are hidden so you cannot see them. I can explain further if needed.

How does this console impact the emergency brake? Nice work btw.

Hi Cameraman, The cooler does sit on top of it. You can however slide it further back so it is not over the brake at all. Even though I have it over the emergency brake, If I ever need to use it for parking/emergency, I can simply pull up on the brake and the cooler will move up effortlessly.

pookSter
Any chance you could post instructions on wiring the outlet. Also, how do you plan to mount you mp3 player?

thanx

Does it actually sit firmly on top of the stock console, or does it slide around when you drive?

Cloak said:
Does it actually sit firmly on top of the stock console, or does it slide around when you drive

Yes, it sits firmly on top of the stock console. It will not move as it is wedged in between the seats. The driver armrest also adds a lot of stability, however, the cooler is not so tight as to prevent the seats from reclining. Everything works normal, except in the center console, you can reach in and pull out a cold one :)

Boneheadz said:
Any chance you could post instructions on wiring the outlet. Also, how do you plan to mount you mp3 player?

Dam, I thought as I was doing this.."I should take pics", then I thought...naw, no one would be interested. I will try to take a couple of pics and post to show the parts you can still see.
I was real impressed how the E comes apart. No screws.

The MP3 player I will probably fix below the shifter on some plexiglass mount and velcro. I will take pics.

Lots of posts on this thing, both here and other sites. Which model did you get....(or if you dont know that.....what capacity is it?) Looks realy nice. Any regrets...or wish I hads...or if I did it agains?

Living the eLife

I too am interested in how the "Vector" console is wired, if you can provide specifics and a photo or two.
I went to Target website and found they advertised the same product for $80.00 instead of the $55.00 you indicated you purchased yours for.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_10/601-3560493-1925729?asin=B00008O382

Was yours on sale or something?

Thanks for the post.... even at $80.00, I guess I'll have to have one. Just need to know how to wire it up.

Yes, it was on sale 2 weeks ago for $55 and at the cash register the lady said if you want to apply for a target visa we will give you another 10% off, so now I have a target visa lol.

I will post pics soon. I just am waiting to do another project at the same time so I don't have to take things apart twice to document.

Boneheadz said:
pookSter
Any chance you could post instructions on wiring the outlet.

Sorry, the pics are a bit out of focus, but I did it all in the dark :)
The first pic is where I got the 12v from. Its the red wire which is fused with a 5A fuse just beyond where it runs behind the sub box
http://mnsi.net/~pookster/power.jpg


from there the single wire runs behind the sub box, under the flooring near passenger floormat, and hidden under this side trim. The trim is removed by gently pulling up on the outside edge the full length. Don't try to pull it straight out yet. At each end there is a forked style retainer. If you pull the whole side trim straight towards you, it will slide right out. All pictures have been taken after the fact, so I don't have pictures of this. Just be gentle and you won't break these orange clips.
http://mnsi.net/~pookster/siderunner.jpg

After the wire gets to the passenger seat area, I brought the wire out under the seat and tie strapped it to the exisitng wires. Under this seat you will see a metal frame. This is where I picked up the ground. You can just see in the picture where I attached a loop connector and used an existing hole in the metal seat frame to fasten it to with a nut and bolt.

http://mnsi.net/~pookster/ground.jpg

Then I simply brought the wire out next to the console and the 3 way lighterplug outlet sits in the little tray where I plug in the cooler, MP3 player and power inverter.

http://mnsi.net/~pookster/multioutlet.jpg

As you can see, the cooler/armrest totally hides everything.http://mnsi.net/~pookster/cooler.jpg

Thanx 8)

Pookster:

Cool console. Probably a little much for me, but it's cool anyway.

Tell me about your MP3 player and how you have it sitting there plugged into the socket. Is that a little holder that it's in?

Thanks and Happy E-ing!

The MP3 player's bumpers are made out of the same feeling material as the dash. It really just snugly fits there. I have a right angle 6 inch audio cable attatched, so all you see is the Archos. I was going to mount it securely, but I feel no need for it now.

I got the cheaper ($59.99) model Vector (TVEC223) today at Target. It is a little shorter than the other one, still about 1/2 inch higher than the stock armrest. Price was not the reason I went cheaper. Actually the cup holders are deeper on this, and I thought more practical. Good firm fit. I also got a splitter for $3.99 so I could keep my cell phone plugged in.

I went to Target and looked at the one pictured. I loved it, with the exception of the depth of the cup holders. The walls of the cup holders are barely 1/2 INCH!! I live in South Texas, pretty much flat and straight, but I feel certain that leaving the driveway would allow a soda to tip over. I know the floors are indestructable, but I hate cleaning sticky stuff off of anything. Just a thought.

The Vector fridge, one size smaller than the subject one, has deep cup holders, is slightly smaller, and is $20 cheaper.

I thought the same thing too at first. After using these cupholders in the cooler for a month, I found quite the opposite. I have trouble prying the coke can out of the thing. You have to wiggle it out if you push it in too hard. The only cups that don't fit tight are real small ones. I think the cupholders work the same as the change holder on the front. Its tapered slightly and even though the holders are not deep, they grip like crazy.

I think I'll have to go back to Target and revisit the thing. I haven't purchased one yet, so there's time to change my mind. Maybe I'll take a soda with me and give it test. Thanks VERY MUCH for the info, I do like the one pictured in the thread better, and it looks like it fits perfectly.

That Target arm rest looks real good. I thought the same thing about the cup holders and because I like to create...went ahead and made one for each of my Elements.

It's not real pretty but it is very functional.

http://www.angelfire.com/blog/dirkfour4/bluearmrest.jpg

[quote:407be16494="pookSter"]This console is at the perfect height for me. It has a few nice features.
1- it heats and cools food/beverage
2-perfect arm height armrest
3-handy storage pouch on rear
4-A place for nickel dimes quarters
5-cupholders (2 in front, 2 in back)
6-Matches interior
7-Is only $55

[/quote:407be16494]

This console is on sale the week of 6/8 - 6/15 (at least the Midwest region) at Target for $54.99.

I'm not sure if this link will work, but it is the weekly flyer for www.Target.com

http://targetweeklyad.target.com/weeklyad/detailview.asp?R=1&C=1&P=22A&Z=1

Both Vectors are on sale at Target in So. FLA too

On sale here in the DFW area too.

Just go tmine today. Target had them on sale for $55 as you mentioned. You're right, a PERFECT fit in every regard. Thanks for the information.

I went to Target this a.m. and bought the larger cooler. Took it home and it was a bit tall as an armrest especially for my wife. Went back and bought the smaller and it's just perfect. The perfect height for an armrest. It does interfere with the parking brake.

It does interfer, but it is easy to move out of the way. Also, just used the cooler on a trip and it does keep things cold.

Me thinks spell check would be a good option

:?: So, has anyone mounted a console that still allows the use of the handbrake? Which one did you use? Do you have pictures? Inquiring minds want to know!!! :)

Im actually looking for a different solution then a big center console as I like to be able to travel into the rear of the vehicle. I would have been happy if the thing came with a driver and passenger side arm rest.

BTW, the cooler is listed on sale at the Target website for $54.99. See earlier post for the URL. :lol:

pookSter:
Could you please re-post your photos? - the links seem to be broken. I just picked up my E on Saturday and I want to add a 3-plug 12-Volt unit to the center console and may tap into the same red wire that you describe - is it always on or Accessory-on? Where does this power wire go to/from?
Loving the Element so far!
Thanks!

This console is at the perfect height for me. It has a few nice features.
1- it heats and cools food/beverage
2-perfect arm height armrest
3-handy storage pouch on rear
4-A place for nickel dimes quarters
5-cupholders (2 in front, 2 in back)
6-Matches interior
7-Is only $55

http://home.cogeco.ca/~tpookster/Pictures/HondaElement/cooler.jpg

I've read every single thread on this topic dating back to 2003. The one thing I can't figure out is, when you have both driver's side and passenger's side arm rests, one has to be removed in order for most of these coolers to work. Does that mean I'm stuck with a big hole in the side of the passenger seat?

The only other option as I see it is to fold the drivers arm rest up and put the cooler just in front of it between the driver's seat and the passenger arm rest. On the following smaller cooler, that means it will overhang the bottom cup holders and hand break by about 3". http://www.autobarn.net/vec211.html Now, that doesn't seem to me to be a problem since I'd prefer the two cup holders and cold/warm compartment to be further in front of me. On the other hand, I wouldn't be able to move the cooler back to use the hand brake because the arm rest would be in the way. I'd have to completely remove the cooler in order to use the brake.

I just can't believe that Honda didn't offer all the E's with a center console. It's the only pain in the neck about my wonderful E. Road trips are no fun when you have to lean and hunt for items stuffed into the glove box, the overhead or in the crate behind the seat.

You're all so creative, I thought I'd run this by you before taking the plunge.

Thanks for any feedback.