Installed! Additional 12 volt outlets.

[skitime]

I had a thread about how I installed heated seats. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19626 In that post I had several people asked about the outlets I had added during the process. I know this is not a big deal but if someone searches for outlets they will find this thead and it might help them. So let me explain what I did. First I needed an ignition switch power source for the seat heaters. I used the wire that was feeding the dash 12 volt outlet because it was ignition switched and was protected by a 15 amp fuse. I also wanted the dash outlet not to be switched. So I ran a 15 amp fused wire from the fuse box in the engine compartment to the dash outlet. Using this new power feed, I also added an additional outlet at the front of the center console for items I wanted to remain on like our laptop GPS and I prefer not to have that wire hanging from the dash.

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[skitime]

There is plenty of room for this outlet underneath the console.

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[skitime]

I continued this power feed wire under the carpet rear seat and left rear trim panels to an outlet at the rear of the car. We needed this constant 12 volt outlet for a 12 volt cooler that we wanted to run even when we stop to eat and things. It was surprising how few locations had enough clearance behind the panel. The location worked well and provided easy wiring connections through the nearby storage door. So that was it. I had purchased a half dozen outlets on Ebay a year ago but you can purchase them at any auto supply store.

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[skitime]

I had already added the missing on 05 switched outlet in the center console which is good for things like one of the cell phones. So that is it some simple changes that will enhance my Vibe. Hope this helps someone.

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[BOZACK]

Nice additions. I like the one in the cargo area. Wonder If I could add the two prong outlet back there.

[skitime]

I am sure you could. You would of course need to be more cautious with the 120 voltage.

[Altus]

Probably be easier to run another power inverter off the 12v line you just ran though.Skitime - what gauge wire did you use for the run? And did you run a long ground line as well, or just ground to a frame point? And those are some really cool 12v sockets you got there - Ebay you say? Who makes them?

[ZubenElGenubi]

Great set of mods. I, too, would like more info on your rear 12VDC outlet (power wire gauge (fused?), ground wire mounting point, etc.) My wife's RAV4 has a rear 12VDC outlet and that's one thing I'd like for the Vibe as well.

[skitime]

Let me answer some questions. I used 14 gauge stranded wire. That wire should be good for 15 amps. I used a 15 amp fuse for the circuit. I used the bolt that holds the taillight assembly as the ground. BTW, whenever I pull wires I always pull extra wires for future ideas. So I now have one spare wire all the way to the back of the car and another extra wire from battery to under the dash. You never know when you are going to connect up something else and pulling exta wires is not really extra work. The outlets were a box lot of eight 12 volt outlets. There was no name on them. I have a motorhome so I used a few on the motorhome and one in each of our Pontiac Fieros. Off topic, but let me share my other red Pontiac 5 speed besides my Vibe.

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[mcgusto82]

GREAT mod. i will do this along with the heated seats. lol