DIY- Rear Power Outlet DIY for US Cars

FrankoQ · 10-07-2006, 03:36 PM

My big mouth robot has been installed.
He's just missing his storage tray. That should be here monday.

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bavarian19 · 10-07-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

My big mouth robot has been installed.
He's just missing his storage tray. That should be here monday.

Attachment 41587

Looking good!!!

bmwexecutive · 10-08-2006, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triton.

Just went to Home Depot to get some quick connects. They didn't have any 3M ones, I bought Buchanan "Tap Splices" #16 - #14 AWG. Are those the same thing?

I had the same problem. Went to Lowes tonight and all they had were "Butt Locks" or something.

Could I get the 3M Quick Connects at an auto parts store like Advanced Auto Parts?

neuronpetkowski · 10-08-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

I had the same problem. Went to Lowes tonight and all they had were "Butt Locks" or something.

Could I get the 3M Quick Connects at an auto parts store like Advanced Auto Parts?

I found non-3M Tap Wire Quick Connects at Radio Shack. Buck ninety nine.

neuronpetkowski · 10-08-2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

My big mouth robot has been installed.
He's just missing his storage tray. That should be here monday.

Attachment 41587

I concur. Looks great Frank.

bmwexecutive · 10-10-2006, 12:04 AM

My robot came in today.

Going to install it tomorrow after I find some damn quick connects.

triton. · 10-10-2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

My robot came in today.

Going to install it tomorrow after I find some damn quick connects.

The ones I bought look exactly like the 3M Quickconnects. Too bad you have to buy a box of 25 of these, as I'm probably never gonna use em again.

KL2DC · 10-10-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

My big mouth robot has been installed.
He's just missing his storage tray. That should be here monday.

Looking good Frank....

FrankoQ · 10-10-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Looking good Frank....

Gracias.
Well, the big mouth for my robot did not come yesterday.
I'll just keep waiting.

bmwexecutive · 10-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Didn't get to it today. I'm going to head-up to Wal-Mart tonight (24 hours) and get the quick connets so I have them for tomorow.

bmwexecutive · 10-11-2006, 01:18 PM

calvino, could you please post a bigger image of this pic:

bmwexecutive · 10-11-2006, 01:19 PM

OK, I've got the quick connects but I can't figure out how the hell they work. Why is this so damn hard? Damn.

FrankoQ · 10-11-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

OK, I've got the quick connects but I can't figure out how the hell they work. Why is this so damn hard? Damn.

quick connectors have 2 horizontal channels
You put one wire on each.
then there is a metal piece that you need to push down.
use pliers to do this.
the idea is that the metal piece will go thru the wire insulation and make
contact with the metal on both wires. This creates a bridge so current
from one wire can travel to the other wire.
The key is to really press down on that metal piece to make sure it makes
contact with both wires.
once you do that, there is a plastic cover that kind of snaps in place.
That keeps the metal piece from getting lose.
I found this plastic piece very unsecure and with vibration seemed that
it will come lose. So, I wrapped it with electrical tape.

Hope that helps.

bmwexecutive · 10-11-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

quick connectors have 2 horizontal channels
You put one wire on each.
then there is a metal piece that you need to push down.
use pliers to do this.
the idea is that the metal piece will go thru the wire insulation and make
contact with the metal on both wires. This creates a bridge so current
from one wire can travel to the other wire.
The key is to really press down on that metal piece to make sure it makes
contact with both wires.
once you do that, there is a plastic cover that kind of snaps in place.
That keeps the metal piece from getting lose.
I found this plastic piece very unsecure and with vibration seemed that
it will come lose. So, I wrapped it with electrical tape.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! Wish I knew that before I went out to my car to start this. No big deal really, just spent an extra 10 minutes trying to figure it out. Eventually I did and now I have an operational happy robot face (tested it and all).

Only mistake I made was not realizing the air conditioner piece was actually two pieces and snapped the front part of it in one area. It still works fine but the crack is a bit noticable. It's only the front cover plate so I'm going to just order a new one when I get around to it at some point. Can't be more than $15.

Anyway, great mod. Thanks to the OP!!!

shragon · 10-21-2006, 06:34 PM

i just did mine today. all in all, pretty simple procedure. i found getting the top part of the panel off to be a little stubborn, so i used a butter knife to help get me started.

big thanks to calvino for this cool diy!!

bmw4jh · 10-22-2006, 12:09 PM

Here are the pictures...but, one observation...

bmw4jh · 10-22-2006, 12:14 PM

connect and disconnect the "robot". Go to Radioshack and purchase these two connectors and use them instead of the second set of quick connects...They are $1.99 each.
I was just lazy to do it plus, I am not planning to remove the rear console face again. Just an option available. I doubt that BMW would sell just the male connector but, if somebody wants to check...The installation would be cleaner since you would not have to cut the female conector from the new face.

SMBowen · 10-22-2006, 03:37 PM

Ok here's a question I don't think has been asked, if so I missed it. Does anyone know if there is a "constant on" wire running in the console. I don't know what the real name is, but in chevy's their cigarette lighter stays on even when they turn the car off. My buddy rewired his mercedes so that he could have this. It is a nice feature if you are out and about and your cell dies or something else needs power, you don't need to turn your car on and a cell charger isn't going to drain the battery after a couple hours.

Thanks ahead of time!
-sm

shragon · 10-22-2006, 05:26 PM

^ the rear power outlet's power is tapped from the power outlet in the center console. that power turns off as soon as you stop the engine. so no, it is not constant.

SMBowen · 10-22-2006, 05:47 PM

Ok then does anybody know of any hot wires that we could tap?

-sm

Richwm · 10-28-2006, 02:33 PM

So did anyone notice that the plug for the center console outlet and the rear ones are the same I wonder if there is a pig-tail conector from the dealer to make this a clean mod with no splicing required.

Richwm · 10-28-2006, 02:37 PM

Oh and one thing if you do splice with taps you should probibly wrap them with electric tape to prevent a short in the wires.

10-07-2006, 03:36 PM	#155
FrankoQ Deny everything 228 Rep 11,378 Posts Drives: 2006 330i; 2015 X6, S1000RR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Beautiful MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 BMW X6 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	My big mouth robot has been installed. He's just missing his storage tray. That should be here monday. __________________ I need a drink
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10-10-2006, 12:04 AM	#160
bmwexecutive Banned 247 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	My robot came in today. Going to install it tomorrow after I find some damn quick connects.
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10-10-2006, 07:43 PM	#164
bmwexecutive Banned 247 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	Didn't get to it today. I'm going to head-up to Wal-Mart tonight (24 hours) and get the quick connets so I have them for tomorow.
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10-11-2006, 01:18 PM	#165
bmwexecutive Banned 247 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	calvino, could you please post a bigger image of this pic:
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10-11-2006, 01:19 PM	#166
bmwexecutive Banned 247 Rep 2,453 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: East Coast iTrader: (4)	OK, I've got the quick connects but I can't figure out how the hell they work. Why is this so damn hard? Damn.
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10-21-2006, 06:34 PM	#169
shragon Moderator 508 Rep 27,440 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	i just did mine today. all in all, pretty simple procedure. i found getting the top part of the panel off to be a little stubborn, so i used a butter knife to help get me started. big thanks to calvino for this cool diy!! __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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10-22-2006, 12:09 PM	#170
bmw4jh Private 19 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	I completed mine... Here are the pictures...but, one observation... Attached Images __________________ F30 335i
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10-22-2006, 12:14 PM	#171
bmw4jh Private 19 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	If you want to be able to... connect and disconnect the "robot". Go to Radioshack and purchase these two connectors and use them instead of the second set of quick connects...They are $1.99 each. I was just lazy to do it plus, I am not planning to remove the rear console face again. Just an option available. I doubt that BMW would sell just the male connector but, if somebody wants to check...The installation would be cleaner since you would not have to cut the female conector from the new face. Attached Images __________________ F30 335i
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10-22-2006, 03:37 PM	#172
SMBowen Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 08 E63M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	Ok here's a question I don't think has been asked, if so I missed it. Does anyone know if there is a "constant on" wire running in the console. I don't know what the real name is, but in chevy's their cigarette lighter stays on even when they turn the car off. My buddy rewired his mercedes so that he could have this. It is a nice feature if you are out and about and your cell dies or something else needs power, you don't need to turn your car on and a cell charger isn't going to drain the battery after a couple hours. Thanks ahead of time! -sm __________________ 08-E63M - Space Gray, full black leather & carbon fiber interior w/ every option available, Vorsteiner Decklid Spoiler, RD Sport Roof Spoiler (CF), etc. 06-E90 330i - Totaled 30 Sept 10
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10-22-2006, 05:26 PM	#173
shragon Moderator 508 Rep 27,440 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	^ the rear power outlet's power is tapped from the power outlet in the center console. that power turns off as soon as you stop the engine. so no, it is not constant. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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10-22-2006, 05:47 PM	#174
SMBowen Private 4 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 08 E63M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	Ok then does anybody know of any hot wires that we could tap? -sm __________________ 08-E63M - Space Gray, full black leather & carbon fiber interior w/ every option available, Vorsteiner Decklid Spoiler, RD Sport Roof Spoiler (CF), etc. 06-E90 330i - Totaled 30 Sept 10
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10-28-2006, 02:33 PM	#175
Richwm Captain 65 Rep 920 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i 6MT, 01 E46 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canyon Country, CA. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Jeep JLU Wrangler [0.00] 2006 (Mar 05 build ... [8.00] 2001 330i [9.00]	So did anyone notice that the plug for the center console outlet and the rear ones are the same I wonder if there is a pig-tail conector from the dealer to make this a clean mod with no splicing required. Attached Images __________________ Mar 05 Build date,2006 E90 330i, Sport Package, Premium Package, TR MT-1's . V-1 Hard-wired power with custom V-1 Concealment Display . Rear fogs, Rear power outlet's, M short shifter knob, BlackLines, BMW Strut tower bar, CDV Delete, Front M3 wishbones + tension struts, BMW Performance shocks and springs, BMW Performance Brake kit F&R, OEM short shift kit. Rear M3 Guide rods and Wishbones. 2006 E-90 330i with 302,000 miles.
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10-28-2006, 02:37 PM	#176
Richwm Captain 65 Rep 920 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i 6MT, 01 E46 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canyon Country, CA. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Jeep JLU Wrangler [0.00] 2006 (Mar 05 build ... [8.00] 2001 330i [9.00]	Oh and one thing if you do splice with taps you should probibly wrap them with electric tape to prevent a short in the wires. Attached Images __________________ Mar 05 Build date,2006 E90 330i, Sport Package, Premium Package, TR MT-1's . V-1 Hard-wired power with custom V-1 Concealment Display . Rear fogs, Rear power outlet's, M short shifter knob, BlackLines, BMW Strut tower bar, CDV Delete, Front M3 wishbones + tension struts, BMW Performance shocks and springs, BMW Performance Brake kit F&R, OEM short shift kit. Rear M3 Guide rods and Wishbones. 2006 E-90 330i with 302,000 miles.
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