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Veggeep
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Northern Virginia
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| Posted: 7/5/08 10:03AM Post subject: External GPS Power Line |
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I guess it could just as easily apply to any accessory that plugs into the cigarette lighter, but here's my answer to powering a portable GPS unit.
I rather prefer an external GPS device, so I have the flexibility of putting it in any car I like, or taking it on a hike, so I sprung for a widescreen Garmin, rather than an expensive in-dash unit. Only problem is, I hate having wires draped over my dash, and I don't want to give up the power port for something that is likely going to be used quite frequently.
So I broke open the 12V cigarette lighter adaptor and pulled out the circuit board that conditions the juice down to USB levels. This I spliced into the 12V power port supply inside the dash, routing the cable up through the center console and out through a small hole in the back of the face plate retainer clip.
...and here's the finished result:
It's a good thing the drill didn't fit under the windshield, 'cause I was originally going to poke a hole right in the dashboard surface. Glad I didn't! As you can see here, it's just as clean and discreet routing it through the faceplate retainer clip, and a HECKUVA lot cheaper to replace later, should I choose to rip it out. |
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kris68
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 80
Location: perth amboy, nj
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| Posted: 7/6/08 5:22AM Post subject: |
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| yea I have that problem now but I didn’t want to stick the nav. on the dash so I put it in top left hand corner next to the A column now I need to find a route for the wire. It looks horrible right now wire hanging next to the steering wheel |
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cobaltbravo
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 68
Location: Delaware
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| Posted: 7/6/08 6:22PM Post subject: |
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Kris, with a little time and effort, you can have just as clean of an install. that pillar cover in the corner is hollow and leads right under the dash. take a look at this for rough instructions on how to get under there.
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=226047
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=228123
add-a-circuit's are great if you want it "hardwired" into the fuse panel or you can wire a cheap walmart cigg. lighter socket to a add-a-circuit and hide it behind the dash. just be careful when R&R'ing the interior that you don't scratch the crap out of them. easy peasy man. |
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kris68
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 80
Location: perth amboy, nj
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| Posted: 7/7/08 8:40AM Post subject: |
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| running the wire down the A column would work just need to find the time to do it thanks |
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