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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: 12 volt accessory outlets - Where are yours? |
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The van needs a single 12 volt outlet somewhere in the bench seat area. The ideal location is somehow eluding me. I want to be sure if hole must be drilled, it's in the Right Place.
Ideas? If you've added a 12 volt plug in the rearward part of your van, can you tell us where it is?
And as always, photos are much appreciated. _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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McVanagon Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 1684 Location: Northern part of the Virginia
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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I put one in the ashtray behind the driver's seat.
_________________ '69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop
Last edited by McVanagon on Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10067 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Not a Westy, but I put in 3 extras, all powered off the aux battery: one in the aisle, attached to my cupholder, on the right side where I can reach it from the driver's seat;
and, ran a fused 10ga. feeder to the engine bay wiring J-box, and split it there to feed one socket in each of the rear pillar covers, a couple feet up and facing forward. Those are to plug in little gooseneck lamps for reading-in-bed lights when camping.
These make nifty engine bay work lights, too.
<edited because, lo and behold! I did have pics of these> _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.
Last edited by tencentlife on Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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Hey John,
Have one near under the rear bench seat for 12v blankets for the kids and computer hook-ups for the day I actually buy a laptop , and the one on the side of the kitchen cabinet behind the driver's seat. This last one allows me to charge the phone, and still have it located right beside me for when calls come in.
I do like the side of the cabinet beside the grate as an option though.
_________________ '85 Westy |
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Bercilak Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009 Posts: 391
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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I converted the cigarette lighter into one, and put a double in back.
It serves to allow a drip charger as well as use power directly. We mostly use it for the DVD player we bought from MightyART ~ the aux power is isolated, so it doesn't shut the kid's DVD off when I kill the engine.
You can see the install here, here, or here |
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markz2004 Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2007 Posts: 944 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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CJ,
I put one in the face of the cabinet just below the sink and one in the city water hook-up.
Mark _________________ 87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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city water hookup and on top of the new fridge
_________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:41 pm Post subject: Winston's Auxiliary Power Jack |
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Here is Winston's Auxiliary Power jack, wired (natch) into the auxiliary battery through the 2nd fuse box.
It's got a little LED reading light in it. I have to take that out if I'm using the cabinet a lot.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Winston,
That's the spot that makes sense to me. Does it interfere with the fridge at all? My fridge is out at present, so there is of course plenty of room for install.
I'm concerned if I add a new 12 volt reefer in there, I might have to remove the plug to make room, leaving a hole.
Your thoughts? _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:57 am Post subject: |
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Madspanianrd,
That's a nice clean install and a handy spot for it.
McVanagon,
I like the cig lighter, very stealth!
Tencent,
Nice as always to have your input.
Bercilak,
Very nice photo album, that spot is a top contender as well. _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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Bercilak Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2009 Posts: 391
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:06 am Post subject: |
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I pal put one down on the side; that works too.
The only problem with my location is that it interferes with the table. If you plug something in while the tables stowed, it's nice because the plug keeps the table from flying out if you forget to secure it.
But when it's time to pull out the table, you have to unplug whatever you've got going. That's not a big deal, but it is an annoying facet of that particular location.
B. |
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Texxxxx Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 448 Location: Monterey, CA
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject: Translating for the Van... |
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Quote: |
Winston,
That's the spot that makes sense to me. Does it interfere with the fridge at all? My fridge is out at present, so there is of course plenty of room for install. |
I'll have to translate for the van, but I can understand your wanting to go to the source itself.
Rugga rudda rudda rudda brrrrr rudda
"Oh, it went in all right, although the idiot who claims to own me very wisely put in waterproof spade connectors when he hooked it up, which came in handy when he had to disconnect the rig for other connectors or to add more wire for more slack as he needed it."
Quote: |
I'm concerned if I add a new 12 volt reefer in there, I might have to remove the plug to make room, leaving a hole. |
Brrrruum, brummabrumma rudda bruuuuuuum.
"The idiot's thought was that whatever happened, the plug would be useful, the spade connectors allowing for alternate wiring schemes. He did a lot of rewiring after that. You could put in some kind of plug later, the Wal-Mart outlet the cheapskate bought came with an outlet cover."
He was getting pretty sarcastic at that point, so I finally had to pacify him with his very own garage door opener remote key unit. He's a sucker for toys, and is currently a happy van.
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3996 Location: Maine
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2068 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Timwhy"]Looking for a way to power up my XM boom box from the outside of the Westy.
Oh you're the guy at the next campsite that plays music! _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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BillWYellowstone Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2011 Posts: 767 Location: Yellowstone NP
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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Just what I was thinking! |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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The way I chose to run a new + wire was a minor PITA, (I'm sure there's a better way) but I installed a 12V outlet in the spice rack ~ midspan where wires for kitchen light pass through. Handy for my needs. Small things like AA charger can stay in spice rack and charge while on the road or I just plug in my crazy light or radio. Tends to keep the wires up out of the way.
Neil.
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Californio Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 1276
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't recommend putting them in the location Winston's is, behind the fridge. When you pull the fridge, it's almost impossible not to bust the tabs off of the back of the power outlet. This causes frustration, which in turn may lead to crude language.
I like the one stuck in the ashtray a few posts back, neat ide,a and who uses ashtrays anymore anyway? My kid thought the one on the dash was a cell phone holder, which of course it really is, they just didn't know it at the time. |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject: While It's Active... |
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While this thread is active again, I'll post the picture of Winston's two new 'West Marine' 12 v. outlets I installed in the cover plate I'd put in over the holes left by his defunct rear speakers and the heavy, useless amp I likewise removed this Spring from Winston's bench:
You can see the USB charger in the upper of the two outlets. I never got around to using my Laptop in the Van, or needing to charge my Kindle, but when the time comes, I'll be ready!
Best! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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Timwhy Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 3996 Location: Maine
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