need advice/help to remove the AC home outlet for satellite radio install

[iamthekiller]

i have a 2004 pontiac vibe with the ac home outlet in the dash. note that i have removed the stereo unit before so am somewhat familiar with what it looks like behind the stereo, but not the ac outlet. (right now i have the pioneer avic-d1 navigation system) i want to completely remove the rectangular panel containing only the ac home outlet and on/off button (i want to keep the cigarette adapter):in its place, i want to install a sirius starmate replay: it seems like it will just fit right in that area with a little area to spare on the sides. i never use the ac adapter, so don't care to lose it completely. i can always use an inverter with the cigarette light if necessary. anyway, i'd like to know if anybody could offer advice on how to remove this device, and how to do it SAFELY. photos would be great. i have this mounting plate that i assume i'll have to cut or modify to mount flush in the remaining space:while i'm in there, i'd like to "tap into" the cigarette adapter to power the starmate. how exactly do i go about safely doing that? i've messed around with wire-taps before - am i going in the right direction with these? does it matter what gauge:http://www.radioshack.com/prod...earchh ... archthanks as always in advance for your helpful replies!

[ragingfish]

read this thread: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5940about halfway down it shows that panel removed...

[iamthekiller]

great, thanks for that link! any suggestions on how to "tap into" the cigarette power? i'd like to power the satellite radio device off the rear of the cigarette adapter, and not actually plug directly into it to avoid wires being shown.

[ragingfish]

A lot of satellite devices have a voltage converter or line filter (or both) in the plug, so cutting the end off and just hardwiring into the lines behind the accessory port is not recommended (at least in my opinion anyway). Easiest way to do it is buy an el-cheapo accessory port at radio shack or wal-mart, mount and wire it inside the dash, and then either tap into power at the accessory port or at the fuse block using an add-a-circuit.

[iamthekiller]

i decided to not bother with the cigarette adapter, and instead ran an extension to the other cigarette plug located inside the center console. wires are completely hidden throughout.

[NSimkins]

Looks good! I just saw your post/pics on SiriusBackstage and noticed your membername was the same as here.

[dirtydeeds]

Bumping an oldie with a good idea....Has anyone put a regular aftermarket head unit in the location of his sat. radio? I'm almost positive i've seen a picture here... I've never taken that part of the console apart, and I'm interested in moving my HU there... simply because i got the summer itch to do some modding.Edit: Well after exploring over at MO i did see one person who did a CarPc setup like this...Anyone here do the same, id love to pick someones brain on this.