Took some time today to finally install some extra power outlets in our 5. Here's what I did.
Here's an idea of the usual mess of wires we have. The Sirius plug is a transformer as well, so it monopolizes the one front power outlet. Need more!
I found this 3-outlet + USB power strip over the weekend, it's way too silver/shiny but I'm going to hide it in the glovebox anyhow, so no big deal. It's illuminated too, not that it matters.
I read about "Add-A-Circuit" gizmos that you can use to replace a fuse, *and* add an additional one to run another circuit. Peeling open the passenger fuse box...looks like my seat installers used these to power my new heated seats! They used the "seat heater" and "cigar" fuse spots, good choices.
I took apart the plug to confirm my guess on which wire they'd chosen for positive. The plug was lighted as well, sorta a shame to toss it.
The "back" glovebox on my 5 has these nifty shelves on each side, which looked perfect to mount something.
Quick dry test fit: like it was made for it. And it's adjacent to the fuse box, just over a thin plastic "wall", will be easy to wire.
Plenty of sheetmetal nearby to connect a ground wire, I drilled a small hole for a sheetmetal screw.
All wired up...gettin' a little cluttered, I'll install a real junction box somewhere one of these days. I used the rear power outlet fuse spot for the add-a-circuit.
I used this 3M DualLock fastener to hold the strip in place, it's like velcro that "snaps" together. I use it on the motorcycles a lot, it's held my HID ballast in place on our touring bike for 5+ years, figured it would be just fine for this light duty!
Here's the finished product...plenty of room for all the usual glovebox stuff still.
Here's an idea of the usual mess of wires we have. The Sirius plug is a transformer as well, so it monopolizes the one front power outlet. Need more!
I found this 3-outlet + USB power strip over the weekend, it's way too silver/shiny but I'm going to hide it in the glovebox anyhow, so no big deal. It's illuminated too, not that it matters.
I read about "Add-A-Circuit" gizmos that you can use to replace a fuse, *and* add an additional one to run another circuit. Peeling open the passenger fuse box...looks like my seat installers used these to power my new heated seats! They used the "seat heater" and "cigar" fuse spots, good choices.
I took apart the plug to confirm my guess on which wire they'd chosen for positive. The plug was lighted as well, sorta a shame to toss it.
The "back" glovebox on my 5 has these nifty shelves on each side, which looked perfect to mount something.
Quick dry test fit: like it was made for it. And it's adjacent to the fuse box, just over a thin plastic "wall", will be easy to wire.
Plenty of sheetmetal nearby to connect a ground wire, I drilled a small hole for a sheetmetal screw.
All wired up...gettin' a little cluttered, I'll install a real junction box somewhere one of these days. I used the rear power outlet fuse spot for the add-a-circuit.
I used this 3M DualLock fastener to hold the strip in place, it's like velcro that "snaps" together. I use it on the motorcycles a lot, it's held my HID ballast in place on our touring bike for 5+ years, figured it would be just fine for this light duty!
Here's the finished product...plenty of room for all the usual glovebox stuff still.
Last edited: