OK, I added the rear view camera system weeks ago. Bought a new GPS and decided to dash-mount it near the left front quarter window. Nearest 12V socket for the power is under the console. Decided not to hard-wire but add another 12V socket under dash specific for GPS power cord. Digi-Key Corp has 12V cigar socket with rubber cover for socket (marine duty). $3 - that's all. $5.50 with tax and shipping. Determined where I wanted to mount and found a plastic backing piece from a convex mirror. Drilled hole to mount the socket. Epoxied a bolt to a metal frame member. Attached the mounting plate/socket with wingnut and wired ground and add-a-fuse (separate circuit). Strung the GPS power cord up thru the door gasket and upper dash. Works perfectly. Now the cord is hidden but handy when the GPS is removed. Ok - now have GPS and backup camera system. Not as elegant as the $1800 Nav, but a poor-man's remedy.
Thank you for the part number. My "search foo" is pretty good but their web site is a bit challenging.
I hope this is not a stupid question, but no one else seems to have asked it: To what do you wire the new socket (the one you install)? Where does the 12V come from? I presume this is IGN-ON, rather than on all the time, right? Do you patch onto the existing 12V socket on the dash? Sorry to be so dim. I comprehend everything except where the power should come from.
Not 'dim' at all. I used an "add-a-fuse". This is a small assembly (available at most auto stores) that plugs into an unused 12V block in the fusebox under the dash. I don't recall which one I used - actually have 2 installed - one for the cigarette socket, another for my rearview camera monitor. The add-a-fuse has a spade connector that plugs into the fusebox, then you plug a new fuse into the connector itself. It has a wire that supplies the 12V to the assembly you're installing. I used a switched fuse block on the panel that is on only when the car power is on. You'll then have a separate circuit. Then you'll need to find a good ground - I used a bolt near the emerg brake. Quite simple, really. You can see the add-a-fuse in the picture below - it's the plastic block with the red wire and fuse inserted.
Nope. But there is a B+ line and a ground line to the rear window washer/wiper relay...pins 4(+) and 5(Gnd)..if I remember right... The + line is powered whenever the accessories are on...I tapped in there for my backup camera which I leave on all the time when driving... Still need to do something up front....
Thanks for the info, Dean. But I didn't see a picture below. I do have a good idea how this all will work, though. I presume the power cord is more or less laid alongside the weatherstripping gasket of the door as it runs up toward the dash; then sort of pushed down into the crack between the left side of the dash and the wall of the car. I will definitely be trying this.
Dave, The pics I was referring to was the original post #1. But I took a few more to illustrate a bit better. And, yes the door surround weatherstripping pulls right off and allows access to a perfect area to run the power cable, then squeezed between the two dash panels. Advanced Auto stores definitely stock the 'add-a-fuse'; as the other larger ones probably do as well.
These are great pictures, Dean. Thanks. They also give me a better idea of exactly where all this is going on (i.e., back up under there, behind the parking brake lever).
