purchasing and Installing 12 volt outlet in 2003 VS Speedster

Could any speedster owners offer advice/suggestions for purchasing and installing a 12 volt outlet for powering cell phones, etc.? Is it a job that a non-mechanic can do without a great deal of risk? Thanks.

Scott,

It is pretty easy. I went down to the Kragen/Checker/Pep Boys etc and bought an power outlet with an underdash mount. Just screw the mount up under the dash. I used self tapping screws into the 2x2 brace. That was the best part of that kit, the power outlet was ok but I shorted it out while hooking it up so I used a VW lighter with the ivory knob I got for 10 bucks and the Kragen mount.
Remember to add a ground and for power what I did was tap into my radio power which was very easy.
A tip is to get one of those inexpensive crimping/strippers in a box that includes different crimp connectors and couplers.

Cheers
Dave

The K-Mart ones are very well built - plus they have really thin wires. Don't expect to run a laptop or power inverter off one designed for a cell phone or GPS. Go to a marine place (US Boats or West Marine) and get a marine quality one. They are heavier duty and stainless steel - many have a flip cap to keep it clean, dry and fingers out. You'll have to add your own wiring and ensure its hooked to a fuse and well grounded. I do not like the crimp connectors - wiring should be soldered and connectors heat tube shrink wrapped for a professional, safe appearance. A good stereo shop could install. Don't expect to run a laptop or power inverter off one designed for a cell phone or GPS though.

Way back when, you could get a power outlet for your 356 from Porsche.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=632631

Everything old is new again, kinda neat.

correct - the Kmart ones are NOT very well built - damn miss that hour later edit feature!

Wolfgang,

You are correct about the crappy wiring and I shorted out the Kragen Auto parts power adapter (not Wallmart, Kmart) and just used the holder.
The quality VW lighter from J Bugs I had as backup works for my ipod/phone charger or small tire inflater but I would not power a skill saw on it.

Those connector kits I mentioned work well and added shrink tube is a good idea. I have shrink tube in my connector kit box.
As far as using the connectors I have an older pan based IM and they used these kind of crimp connectors all over the speedie so they can't be that bad. If one of the premier builders used them I would think.

I remember one night driving home in my MGA and a puff of smoke and some of my wiring under the dash melted, I shut it down and waited a few hours (damm Lucus electrics) and then dove home without the lights (38 yrs ago) So I do appreciate using care in wiring and shrink wraping or electrical tape is a good added measure.

Dave

Here is an interesting discussion about soldering vs. crimping on Shoptalkforums:

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=119574

Until I read this I was soldering everything.

After reading it I got a ratcheting crimper from Harbor Freight and have been crimping everything.

If you go to buyheatshrink.com you can get some heat shrink tubing with adhesive inside for really waterproof connections.

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas. I especially like the marine outlet concept

Soldering is fine as long as the wires are secured, vibration is usually the issue. I always use heat shrink, and put some silicone inside to seal out water. I've never had one of my connections fail in over 20 years doing it this way. If it's underdash, no silicone needed.

I bought a triple 12v outlet from Radio Shack with a 12-14 gauge pigtail. I put in an inline fuse, and ran it off the accessory terminal on the ignition switch, that way I can't kill the battery.