Has Anyone Installed 12V Socket Receptacle in Trunk?

3002 tii · 05-13-2014, 08:22 AM

Just like title says, anyone install one in the trunk? Would like to install something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Grade-C...ket+receptacle

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syste...ket+receptacle

that way I can charge my accessories while on track (camera, GPS antenna, etc.). Also I was going to install directly onto battery but should I use a switched source instead?

SD ///M4 · 05-13-2014, 03:20 PM

I don't need one in my trunk, but that dual-port USB socket looks like it would work really well mounted in the center under dash panel. I'm using a ProClip to mount my smartphone just to the right of the temperature knob and that would be a much cleaner install than having a 12V USB port plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.

I've already installed a garage door opener in that panel and it's wired to a switched hot source, so it would be a piece of cake to piggyback off those connections.

Thanks for the inspiration! If and when I do this I'll write up a DIY.

Nate4641 · 05-13-2014, 03:37 PM

Looks like a cool idea, interested to see where this goes.

What kind of switched connection would you be able to do from the trunk?

jdoublehcubed · 05-13-2014, 08:08 PM

I'm just about to do it.

Ron stygar did it, scroll way down this thread to see the wiring for the Z4
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25528

You can pick up the switched lug so it turns off when turn off the ignition.

I ordered this outlet, after looking through all of the ones on Amazon. It feels like a pretty good quality piece.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also want an inline fuse. Something small, probably 5 amps would do it.

StickMon · 05-13-2014, 11:36 PM

Go straight to the battery.
It's right there in a handy location, and you can lock the car and go grab a bite while your stuff's still charging.

SD ///M4 · 05-14-2014, 01:08 AM

I went with this one because it looks like I can mount it nearly flush with the center panel by using the knurled plastic nut, no need for the faceplate. I'll probably cut off the waterproof cap:

(click pic for link)

jdoublehcubed · 05-14-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickMon

Go straight to the battery.
It's right there in a handy location, and you can lock the car and go grab a bite while your stuff's still charging.

Sounds like a good way to kill your battery when you leave something on the charger by mistake.

StickMon · 05-14-2014, 10:30 PM

If you can kill your battery charging something via USB, you need a new battery.

jdoublehcubed · 05-15-2014, 07:29 AM

you can pull up to an amp via USB, I don't think its unreasonable to think that could kill a battery if it was left to sit overnight, say 12 hours or so

05-13-2014, 08:22 AM	#1
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Has Anyone Installed 12V Socket Receptacle in Trunk? Just like title says, anyone install one in the trunk? Would like to install something like this http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Grade-C...ket+receptacle http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syste...ket+receptacle that way I can charge my accessories while on track (camera, GPS antenna, etc.). Also I was going to install directly onto battery but should I use a switched source instead? __________________ Follow for latest mods Last edited by 3002 tii; 05-13-2014 at 08:29 AM..
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05-13-2014, 03:20 PM	#2
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	I don't need one in my trunk, but that dual-port USB socket looks like it would work really well mounted in the center under dash panel. I'm using a ProClip to mount my smartphone just to the right of the temperature knob and that would be a much cleaner install than having a 12V USB port plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. I've already installed a garage door opener in that panel and it's wired to a switched hot source, so it would be a piece of cake to piggyback off those connections. Thanks for the inspiration! If and when I do this I'll write up a DIY. __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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05-13-2014, 03:37 PM	#3
Nate4641 Major 151 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: '07 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Warner Robins, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	Looks like a cool idea, interested to see where this goes. What kind of switched connection would you be able to do from the trunk? __________________ My build/adventure thread
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05-13-2014, 08:08 PM	#4
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	I'm just about to do it. Ron stygar did it, scroll way down this thread to see the wiring for the Z4 http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25528 You can pick up the switched lug so it turns off when turn off the ignition. I ordered this outlet, after looking through all of the ones on Amazon. It feels like a pretty good quality piece. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You'll also want an inline fuse. Something small, probably 5 amps would do it.
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05-13-2014, 11:36 PM	#5
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Go straight to the battery. It's right there in a handy location, and you can lock the car and go grab a bite while your stuff's still charging. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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05-14-2014, 01:08 AM	#6
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	I went with this one because it looks like I can mount it nearly flush with the center panel by using the knurled plastic nut, no need for the faceplate. I'll probably cut off the waterproof cap: (click pic for link) __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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05-14-2014, 10:30 PM	#8
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	If you can kill your battery charging something via USB, you need a new battery. __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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05-15-2014, 07:29 AM	#9
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	you can pull up to an amp via USB, I don't think its unreasonable to think that could kill a battery if it was left to sit overnight, say 12 hours or so
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