[TangoBill]

Hi all,

I've searched the forum and have been unable to locate any info on this. I recently bought a flexible window mount for my Garmin GPS and have located it near the rearview mirror. I would like to add a 12v outlet in the overhead console, possibly mounted thru the mesh that makes up the bottom of the console. My biggest issue is getting power to it and wondered if it would be feasible to tap into the power wire that goes to the spot/map lights.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Bill

 

[nacranym]

yes, tapping into the lights is possible as they receive "live" 12V all the time. but you have to realize that the Garmin probably has a USB connector, which uses 5V.
in setting up my Garmin, i bought an inexpensive "USB plug-in adaptor" and broke it open to get at the circuitry and get rid of the big connector. then i ran wires to a 12V source that only is on w/ the ignition. then used a short USB cable to connect the taped up adaptor to the Garmin.

 

[LunchBoxDriver]

yes, tapping into the lights is possible as they receive "live" 12V all the time. but you have to realize that the Garmin probably has a USB connector, which uses 5V.
in setting up my Garmin, i bought an inexpensive "USB plug-in adaptor" and broke it open to get at the circuitry and get rid of the big connector. then i ran wires to a 12V source that only is on w/ the ignition. then used a short USB cable to connect the taped up adaptor to the Garmin.

Any pictures of this buddy...? Maybe photo the reverse of the mockup...? I would love to do this...!

LBD

 

[Snuffleupagus]

Hi all,

I've searched the forum and have been unable to locate any info on this. I recently bought a flexible window mount for my Garmin GPS and have located it near the rearview mirror. I would like to add a 12v outlet in the overhead console, possibly mounted thru the mesh that makes up the bottom of the console. My biggest issue is getting power to it and wondered if it would be feasible to tap into the power wire that goes to the spot/map lights.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Bill

Jimbos did something similar also putting a socket in the overhead. Here is his post.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=558799&highlight=rear+view#post558799

 

[LunchBoxDriver]

Jimbos did something similar also putting a socket in the overhead. Here is his post.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=558799&highlight=rear+view#post558799

THANKS Snuff...! OMG, now THAT is a cool OEM looking Mod... Me likey!

LBD

 

[nacranym]

Any pictures of this buddy...? Maybe photo the reverse of the mockup...? I would love to do this...!

LBD

well, it's all inside my dash, and i neglected to take pictures during the install.
if i remove the Garmin, all you would see it the bracket that it clicks onto. if i snap the bracket off the mounting ball, you could see the USB cable, coming up thru the dash. when the Garmin is mounted, it appears to "float" between the instruments and the radio, below the top of dash. this means minimum hand movement from the wheel to operate it. doesn't interfere w/ radio operation. this is needed because i use the GPS as my "hands-free" bluetooth speaker phone.
the USB adaptor was generic, cost less than $5, so i didn't worry about taking it apart. i looked for a real simple/cheap one.
i used the add-a-circuit to piggyback an existing fuse in the under dash fuse box.
the USB cable was generic, w/ a large connector on 1 end and a small 1 on the other end to plug into the Garmin. it's the same sort of cable that would connect a camera or printer to your laptop. i looked for a short one.

 

[phoenix_iii]

Still want a pic of finished product for better understand. =)

 

[nacranym]

OK. i'll take one tonight.

 

[nacranym]

well, here's a bad picture taken w/ my camera phone. that's all i have now.

looking at that i realize that i probably should not have bothered.