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stealth power outlet
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sunroof
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:22 pm    Post subject: stealth power outlet Reply with quote

Over on the F*book '58 '59 group we were discussing a power outlet for a '58 beetle. We did not want to drill any holes tho. I suggested replacing the ashtray with a cigarette lighter and using the ashtray cover to hide the outlet. Well some months later I finally did something about it.

I had a boost regulator that I had built years ago to give 12 volts in my 6 volt beetle.

Here I am starting to mock up the box that will hold the electronics:

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Everything fits nicely

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Making sure it will bolt up to the dash OK

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Looks good

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Cut the box shape out of 18 ga galvanized

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Started bending the box up with my vice. I got lucky as the sides were just as long as the long side of the box. I did not plan this, pure luck. I have folded boxes before in my other hobby, building guitar amps, so I knew I had to get the sequence right. I bent my cardboard version before starting the steel one so I didn't bend myself into any corners.

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I then cut out a front plate and made sure it fit right

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Here you see me punching the hole for the lighter with a Greenlee punch I bought to make holes in chassis' for tube sockets for tube guitar amps. It did this job perfectly

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Some pretty welding

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Fits great!

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Wired up and ready to install. I added a switch so I could hook it to un-switched power. The outlets always seem to be switched power which means you can't charge your phone or iPod with the ignition off. This has been a nuisance for me in the past with my Toyota.

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Wired up and bolted in

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With the cover off

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With the cover on

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A couple of rare earth magnets hold the cover in place when the socket is not in use

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Refer to this thread for my boost ivertor circuit:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...p;start=20


Don
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Keith
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That looks great. If someone was not worried about the original paint on the ashtray cover they could just make the ashtray cover hard mount on the box and then use the area the original ashtray knob is located for your power socket. Another hole could be drilled through the ashtray cover and the accessory socket could be used to sandwhich and hold the pieces together. Then a modified cigarette lighter could be used with the factory ashtray knob so everything looks factory (non-halo socket would be better for that). Also there would be no need for the switch if you wire it to constant power rather than switched power (with ignition key on) of course the halo on yours and how it gets its power may be the determining factor for the switch.
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Donnie strickland
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very fine work!

As I understand, this is hooked to constant power. Am I correct?

Also, the magnets are a nice touch.
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sunroof
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes it is hooked to unswitched power. The reason for the switch is so the light won't kill the battery when not in use.

Don
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anthracitedub
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good job.
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RareAir
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:23 am    Post subject: Re: stealth power outlet Reply with quote

Excellent idea. But was it necessary to cut the entire dash section out of the car to mock up the patterned box? Laughing

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This post was intended for a laugh Cool
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vwlovr73
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a great idea! Cool
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sunroof
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

Excellent idea. But was it necessary to cut the entire dash section out of the car to mock up the patterned box?


Yes.

Donor car:

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Don
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reedwesd
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks nice great work.
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MURZI
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Slick.......... Very very cool.

I just stuck mine back here...you can't see it, but it is in easy reach for cell charging or an air compressor.

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