Additional 12v cigarette socket in E85 - how I fitted mine

[a11y]

I wanted an additional 12v socket (cigarette lighter style) to power my sat nav to avoid me running the power cable for it back across the car to the existing 12v socket next to the ashtray. I prefer to have the sat nav unit in the bottom right of the windscreen where it causes less disruption to the view ahead. I could've hard-wired my TomTom's power cable and have it hidden by the dashboard, but as I use my sat nav in more than one vehicle I need the poer lead to be transferable. I could've bought an additional power lead I suppose, but where's the fun in that?

So I bought a panel-mounting 12v socket from ebay for less than a fiver.

I'd already figured out the best place to mount this in the dash would be either low down next to the OBD2 port (but would involve hacking a hole in the dashboard - no thanks), or installing it into the blank panel under the airvent (which holds the cupholder if you've got a posh version). I opted for the cupholder blank.

The wires are connected to the wires that supplied the original 12v socket next to the ashtray, although I've left that 12v socket operational too (not that I'll use both at the same time - worried about current draw).

Hole drilled:




In place and with rubber blanking cover inserted:


From the back - note close clearance with airvent flow mechanics:


Finished article:

 

[imp75]

A11y that's a cool install, very neat!

 

[gannet]

yep, a11y great idea

well executed

 

[PawnSacrifice]

Nice work mate, tidy.

Interior's looking good too

 

[a11y]

I thought it was pretty neat myself

Hopefully gives ideas to anyone thinking about doing the same. For less than £5 it's a nice cheap option.

I've also got a USB-slot thing that plugs into the 12v cigarette lighter which makes for a neater connection to my sat nav and avoids the power adaptor sticking out as far.

 

[Taz]

very good, nice and neat

I think personally though I would have bought a seperate power cable and hard wired it

 

[a11y]

very good, nice and neat

I think personally though I would have bought a seperate power cable and hard wired it

My only thought against doing that is it's incredibly awkward to insert and remove the actual power connector from the TomTom unit - it's just bloody fiddly and I could see me damaging it in frustration lol

 

[cj10jeeper]

Good solution and a neat install without damaging anything

I would have centered it in the panel, but you may have good reason not to have done so.

I'd also insulate at least the +ve terminal on the back. As you get in and out it's close yo your knee (as any cupholder owner will confirm) and all too easy to knock it and have an instant short

 

[Alzay]

Looks neat ally, not as good as OEM Sat Nav but nice work none the less.

 

[imp75]

I would have centered it in the panel, but you may have good reason not to have done so.

I assumed it was off centre to avoid being caught by vent direction mechanism. Personally having it off centre adds an extra design element in my eyes.

 

[JimmyPop]

Looking good. I decided just to hardwire mine as I only use it in the z4, but this is a really nice, neat looking option.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Taz]

i think i would have centred it too, but being central is wrong, it looks better as it is

 

[Wondermike]

Looks like a nice idea, shame I like my cupholder too much otherwise I would be thinking about doing this. It isn't centered because of the clip on the back.

 

[imp75]

I sit corrected! Brilliant powers of observation mike

 

[cj10jeeper]

As I said - and there was indeed good reason not to centre it

 

[Taz]

I sit corrected! Brilliant powers of observation mike

he's not called wondermike for nothing

 

[a11y]

Good solution and a neat install without damaging anything

I would have centered it in the panel, but you may have good reason not to have done so.

I'd also insulate at least the +ve terminal on the back. As you get in and out it's close yo your knee (as any cupholder owner will confirm) and all too easy to knock it and have an instant short

Ah, wondermike's already spotted why I couldn't centre it. I'm soooo OCD I'd certainly have done so if I could

Yep, was all insulated before being fitted finally - too many experiences not to!

 

[andysat]

Hey top job a11y!-did you use a piggy back connector or scotchlok behind the ashtray? as you say you have kept that wired,-i know what you mean about the trailing wire annoyance.

 

[WLH]

Excellent mod....

 

[a11y]

Cheers for the positive comments folks

Hey top job a11y!-did you use a piggy back connector or scotchlok behind the ashtray? as you say you have kept that wired,-i know what you mean about the trailing wire annoyance.

Yep, both the original 12v socket and my new one are "active" although I'll only use one at once. I cut the wires feeding the 12v socket next to the ashtray - accessed by popping out the ashtray and the switch panel containing the roof controls and DSC button - and reconnected them with extra wires taking the feed. I used wire block connectors as they give a better connection than Scotchloks IME, and I couldn't find my soldering iron