Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
Adding Accessory Socket
Hi everyone, I'm after some advise on wiring in an additional accessory socket.
I have purchased a dual 3.1A 12v USB socket and car cigarette lighter and want it to come on with the ignition (NOT permanently powered).
I can see I have several spare fuse locations on the Instrument Panel Fuse board under the glove compartment and want to use a 15A fuse similar to the factory fitted 12v sockets. How do I know whether the spare fuse locations are on permanently on or ignition powered and how do I wire in the socket to the fuse? Do I need a relay also?
Any help/photos would be greatly appreciated.
31st Mar 2022 7:53 am
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1277
Hi Corona, what location are you putting the socket? As dependent on that will depend on the best place to get a feed from, you don’t always need to go back to the fuse box.2008 HSE Stornoway Grey
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31st Mar 2022 7:57 am
Corona750
Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for the quick response! I'm installing it in the top glove box on the left hand end so being so close to the fuse box thought it would make sense to do it right.
31st Mar 2022 7:59 am
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1277
Ok, makes sense then, I’d probably tie into f47 then, that’s the fuse for the 2nd row power socket (rear of the centre console) its fused for accessories and only on with ignition.
I’d just get a piggyback like this and chop the accessory off to wire yours to the adaptor.
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31st Mar 2022 8:09 am
Corona750
Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
I hadn't thought of doing that, thank you.
We only ever use the 2nd row accessory socket for the kids phones/tablets so no big draw from there. I want to hide the large Garmin satnav cigarette plug in the glove box and at the same time have a spare USB plug without having to have wires permanently into the standard console sockets so this should work perfectly, thank you
31st Mar 2022 8:17 am
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1277
If part of its for your Garmin the worth hardwiring that direct on its own, via a hardwire kit, leaves you either the Spare socket or means you can install a single instead
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31st Mar 2022 8:21 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
As above! If you do run a hardwire kit then my top tip is to place everything in the glovebox and run the cable from there up rather than connecting to the camera and running down, as the small usb type connector will fit through a pre cut hole in the glovebox surround, and can be run up the side under the rubber door trim (just pulls off) along the side of the airbag and then tucked under the headliner. Adjust the length as required once the cable is run and then keep the spare cable behind the glovebox.
Also be careful not to run the cable round the rubber trim! (Ask me how I know about this!)
Should be about a half hour job to get a tidy finish.I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
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31st Mar 2022 8:31 am
Corona750
Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
Thank you for the suggestion Kevin, I'll have a look at that option also. My only concern would be that the Garmin satnav seems very fickle in which extra cables it likes. I've had 5 different extension cables sat between the official Garmin 12v plug and the satnav (due to location of the satnav) and each one causes the satnav to tell me "the attached charging cable does not work". When I remove the 'extension' section and only use the official cable it works fine.
After doing searches on this forum and other areas of the internet it seems a common problem with some Garmin satnavs.
31st Mar 2022 8:34 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
Plus 1 ref hardwire kits etc
Also as an option for other ideas I fitted a fuse box in the upper glove box, wired it to my Aux battery via a relay so only comes on when the ign is switched on
Therefore providing me with 6 x fused 12 Vdc feeds for various items, ie, for the lower panel , hardwire wire supply for a dashcam, charging points etc , plus as mines a base model fitted a 3.5mm Aux socket in one of the blanks of the heater module
Lower panel consists of , volt meter , inside cabin temperature, usb charge points
Hope that also helps with different ideas
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31st Mar 2022 8:49 am
Corona750
Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
Thank you both nigethecat and gstuart for your helpful suggestions and ideas. I'll have a play with them and see what works best.
31st Mar 2022 8:58 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14129
Ur so very welcome , as always a forum team effort
Plse let us know how u get on
31st Mar 2022 9:00 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4244
Corona750 wrote:
Thank you for the suggestion Kevin, I'll have a look at that option also. My only concern would be that the Garmin satnav seems very fickle in which extra cables it likes. I've had 5 different extension cables sat between the official Garmin 12v plug and the satnav (due to location of the satnav) and each one causes the satnav to tell me "the attached charging cable does not work". When I remove the 'extension' section and only use the official cable it works fine.
After doing searches on this forum and other areas of the internet it seems a common problem with some Garmin satnavs.
A hardwire kit will remove the need for extensions... they are available in different lengths...I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
31st Mar 2022 9:05 am
Corona750
Member Since: 17 Jun 2018
Location: Swadlincote
Posts: 49
Thought I would give an update on what I ended up doing, albeit temporary until I tidy up the cables.
I fitted the Garmin satnav in the centre console and fed the cable through a hole under the rubber mat, (this hides the hole if/when I upgrade to a new vehicle). I then fed the satnav cable down through the centre console and behind the lower glove box. I did the same with the Garmin dash cam cable via the A pillar to the same area behind the glove box next to the fuse board.
I purchased the piggy back fuse carrier as recommended by KevinD3 and piggy backed with F47, cheers Kevin .
I then sat the accessory socket behind the upper glove box and fed the cables up there, using one of the retaining screws for an earth. The cables need tidying up but once the left vent panel is replaced it is out of site.
This way nothing is permanently fitted and I can remove/alter as required in the future, and still have all the factory fitted accessory sockets available.
The Garmin satnav screen/UI is far better the the original LR satnav, and I added a shade which not only stops sun glare but also hides the Garmin logo. Being removeable I can put away if parking in an unsecure area but also take inside easily for updates.
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If you do run a hardwire kit then my top tip is to place everything in the glovebox and run the cable from there up rather than connecting to the camera and running down, as the small usb type connector will fit through a pre cut hole in the glovebox surround, and can be run up the side under the rubber door trim (just pulls off) along the side of the airbag and then tucked under the headliner. Adjust the length as required once the cable is run and then keep the spare cable behind the glovebox.
