Power cable through vent
05-12-2010, 12:53 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada
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Power cable through vent
Hi, I want to mount the GPS in front of the dashboard vent, and I would like to run the power cable through the vent. Is this possible, and if yes, where would be the best place to connect it ? Thanks.
05-14-2010, 08:09 AM
#2
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Re: Power cable through vent
Ok... after a little bit of research... the power can be taken from the fuse box using a 'add-a-circuit' device. So far so good. I have also found a power cable to hardwire the gps. All I need to know is if there is a clear path from the dashboard vents to the fuse box. I know I will have to drill a hole in the left side of the vent, but... am I going to hit a dead end ?
Inputs ?!
Inputs ?!
05-14-2010, 09:06 AM
#3
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Re: Power cable through vent
I installed my xm radio on the left center vent. I drilled a whole in the bottom of the vent for the power and antenna wires to go through. Rather than screwing around with the fuse box (not very savy with that stuff) i piggy backed the power from the cigarette lighter. I did this with my B6 and B7 a4's and never had a problem.
To set it up this way takes a bit of time because you have to take off the glove box.
To set it up this way takes a bit of time because you have to take off the glove box.
05-14-2010, 09:11 AM
#4
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05-14-2010, 01:18 PM
#5
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Re: Power cable through vent
It probably is. I just know that there is a lot more space to work in with the glove box removed. Only takes a couple minutes. And like i siad, i am not too good with electronics, so piggy backing the lighter was the easiest thing for me to do.
10-01-2010, 10:24 AM
#6
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Re: Power cable through vent
Older post but quick suggestion for people who access it. I took one of those cig lighter 3 port hub things found at any parts store, target,etc., and installed it right above the brake pedal.
The spot I'm referring to is the thin plastic piece extending from the knee board to the firewall. My hub had 2 small screw holes so I used those and just secured with small metal screws(you need drill starter holes first or the screws won't grip and drive through plastic). Or just use 3m double sided tape. Then I cut the cig plug off and ran to fuse panel. Very easy as it's 12 inches away. Strip wires and attach power to a switched (on of with key) fuse and ground other wire to any bolt by the fuse panel.
Now you have a 3 cig hubs by your feet. Now anything you want to 'hard wire' but maybe not forever, can be done by running to this hub.
One note on this. Since your power cables will still have the cig lighter plug on them, chances are good you'll need to either cut that off or disassemble it prior to snaking cables through dash. Then reattach once snaked.
* Also wanted to add that by doing this, you get the benefit of retaining the oem fuses already built into the cig plug for your GPS, Phone charging cable, Mp3, etc.
The spot I'm referring to is the thin plastic piece extending from the knee board to the firewall. My hub had 2 small screw holes so I used those and just secured with small metal screws(you need drill starter holes first or the screws won't grip and drive through plastic). Or just use 3m double sided tape. Then I cut the cig plug off and ran to fuse panel. Very easy as it's 12 inches away. Strip wires and attach power to a switched (on of with key) fuse and ground other wire to any bolt by the fuse panel.
Now you have a 3 cig hubs by your feet. Now anything you want to 'hard wire' but maybe not forever, can be done by running to this hub.
One note on this. Since your power cables will still have the cig lighter plug on them, chances are good you'll need to either cut that off or disassemble it prior to snaking cables through dash. Then reattach once snaked.
* Also wanted to add that by doing this, you get the benefit of retaining the oem fuses already built into the cig plug for your GPS, Phone charging cable, Mp3, etc.
Last edited by Beckola; 10-01-2010 at 02:22 PM. Reason: update
11-14-2010, 05:51 PM
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Milton, ON
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Re: Power cable through vent
I was just doing a search found this, and thought I'd add my two cents for future searchers.
The glolve box is very easy to remove. A total of 9 x 8mm bolts with a socket driver, and it drops out without any issues.
I had mine out today to replace the glove box door (due to the infamous cracked right hinge issue).
More related to the topic, wouldn't running the cables through the vent, or putting a unit directly above the vent cause heat damage to the cables or the unit itself, when the hear is pumped in the winter months?
The glolve box is very easy to remove. A total of 9 x 8mm bolts with a socket driver, and it drops out without any issues.
I had mine out today to replace the glove box door (due to the infamous cracked right hinge issue).
More related to the topic, wouldn't running the cables through the vent, or putting a unit directly above the vent cause heat damage to the cables or the unit itself, when the hear is pumped in the winter months?
11-14-2010, 07:19 PM
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Burlington, Ontario
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Re: Power cable through vent
I was just doing a search found this, and thought I'd add my two cents for future searchers.
The glolve box is very easy to remove. A total of 9 x 8mm bolts with a socket driver, and it drops out without any issues.
I had mine out today to replace the glove box door (due to the infamous cracked right hinge issue).
More related to the topic, wouldn't running the cables through the vent, or putting a unit directly above the vent cause heat damage to the cables or the unit itself, when the hear is pumped in the winter months?
The glolve box is very easy to remove. A total of 9 x 8mm bolts with a socket driver, and it drops out without any issues.
I had mine out today to replace the glove box door (due to the infamous cracked right hinge issue).
More related to the topic, wouldn't running the cables through the vent, or putting a unit directly above the vent cause heat damage to the cables or the unit itself, when the hear is pumped in the winter months?
11-14-2010, 07:30 PM
#10
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Milton, ON
Posts: 71
Re: Power cable through vent
You know, I thought about that as I was done, and putting all the crap back in my glovebox!
Hopefully there wont be a next time for this mod, but I'll definately keep that in mind next time I have to fix something.
Hopefully there wont be a next time for this mod, but I'll definately keep that in mind next time I have to fix something.
