F53 - Added driver's side power outlet and USB ports

[NXR]

On the driver's side of the dash there is a small rectangular wood-grained panel that was just itching to have something mounted to it so I did.

There's nothing behind that panel to get snagged in a drill or anything. These are what I installed:

Power outlet: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $12

Dual 2.1 amp USB outlets: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $12

Double mounting panel: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $5

What they have available: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...=0&sort=normal

I used a 1 1/8" wood bit (paddle bit) for the two big holes and a pin vise to drill the four mounting holes for the plate. I used the included self-tapping screws because the sockets themselves have a big nut on the back to hold them in place.

When drilling the two large holes there are two layers of plastic, the thin trim panel and a thicker plastic panel behind it.

I used 1/4" wire loom to run the wire from the driver's side to the passenger side where there is another set of power and USB outlets. It's pretty tight going from one side to the other so I followed one of the heating/AC ducts. I used a piece of home Romex as the guide wire because it's stiff but flexible.

I actually ran one set of power wires over and jumped the two added sockets together. I tapped into the same power wire for the passenger power outlet because it has a 7.5 amp inline fuse. I added my own 7.5 amp fuse for the new power outlets just ahead of that fuse because we don't have anything that pulls a lot of power anyway.

Yes, being a contortionist does help.

HTH,

Ray

[Mooney 78865]

Originally Posted by NXR

On the driver's side of the dash there is a small rectangular wood-grained panel that was just itching to have something mounted to it so I did.

There's nothing behind that panel to get snagged in a drill or anything. These are what I installed:

Power outlet: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $12

Dual 2.1 amp USB outlets: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $12

Double mounting panel: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...egory=11543079 - $5

What they have available: https://www.qsradio.com/shop-now.htm...=0&sort=normal

I used a 1 1/8" wood bit (paddle bit) for the two big holes and a pin vise to drill the four mounting holes for the plate. I used the included self-tapping screws because the sockets themselves have a big nut on the back to hold them in place.

When drilling the two large holes there are two layers of plastic, the thin trim panel and a thicker plastic panel behind it.

I used 1/4" wire loom to run the wire from the driver's side to the passenger side where there is another set of power and USB outlets. It's pretty tight going from one side to the other so I followed one of the heating/AC ducts. I used a piece of home Romex as the guide wire because it's stiff but flexible.

I actually ran one set of power wires over and jumped the two added sockets together. I tapped into the same power wire for the passenger power outlet because it has a 7.5 amp inline fuse. I added my own 7.5 amp fuse for the new power outlets just ahead of that fuse because we don't have anything that pulls a lot of power anyway.

Yes, being a contortionist does help.

HTH,

Ray

I like it! I was actually thinking of mounting a TPS device there, but after seeing yours I think I may just do something like that. It really does lend it's self to wanting something there.

[Tax_Man]

Did that a couple of years ago. Got mine on Amazon. The lighter socket is used for the GPS and USB for other stuff.

[Dodge Guy]

My 2012 has a regular 12V outlet there. I use it for my IPad charger.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

My 2012 has a regular 12V outlet there. I use it for my IPad charger.

There are two dual USB outlets in the center stack on the later models as well as two power outlets. Then there is a dual USB outlet and power outlet on the passenger dash-mounted "workstation" and a 120 VAC outlet by the passenger's right knee. There also are two USB outlets on the driver's side but way up high for use by someone in the bunk bed.

But nothing on the driver's side accessible to the driver so I added them.

Ray

[Dodge Guy]

I fixed the lack of then on mine also!

I added a dual USB with digital voltmeter to my new console As well as another 12V outlet along with a USB that connects to the radio for apple car play!. I also replaced the passenger side 12V outlet with a dual USB outlet. And I still have the 12V on the drivers side with a plug in dual USB outlet! Much more user friendly and up to date!

[NXR]

I saw a video today that made me go "Why, that's a great idea!"

I don't know what motorhome he had, but he had two 12 VDC power outlets on the front side of the center stack. So at the very top on the vertical edge facing the windshield where they were out of sight. He had his "stuff" plugged in there so he had no cords draped down the center stack.

That seems like a no brainer, now that I've seen it.

That should be fairly easy to do on a Georgetown because the center stack has that "hump" at the top. I'm just not sure I want to remove that panel and pull it back because it has everything mounted to it. Ugh.

Ray

[Mooney 78865]

Originally Posted by NXR

I saw a video today that made me go "Why, that's a great idea!"

I don't know what motorhome he had, but he had two 12 VDC power outlets on the front side of the center stack. So at the very top on the vertical edge facing the windshield where they were out of sight. He had his "stuff" plugged in there so he had no cords draped down the center stack.

That seems like a no brainer, now that I've seen it.

That should be fairly easy to do on a Georgetown because the center stack has that "hump" at the top. I'm just not sure I want to remove that panel and pull it back because it has everything mounted to it. Ugh.

Ray

It's not that bad, at least on my 2014 378. I've had the front section off a few times for various exploration trips!

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Mooney 78865

It's not that bad, at least on my 2014 378. I've had the front section off a few times for various exploration trips!

Good to hear. If I decide to add them, I figure I'll just pull the panel back a bit to get a look to assure there are no wires, drill the holes and mount the power outlets with the wires pre-attached to minimize disturbing the existing wiring.

Ray