How best to cut into speaker panel? For 12 v receptacle

[Rawhide kid]

Ok...figured out how to get to wires that power the accessory 12v plug in the rear box - by removing the left side speaker assembly. I can tap into those wires, feed it to the front fairly easily. I got the speaker panel off on the left side, but I'm curious.

I've seen others install the round "hub" in that panel, but what did they use to cut into it? Dremel? Hot knife? Big drill bit?

Curious minds.....Thanks!

[SpyderAnn01]

Joe said he used a hole saw but put something like a piece of soft wood behind it when you do the drilling.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm a DIY'er, and I'm curious also ........ I'm trying to figure out Exactly what you are trying to accomplish ?... Do you want to ADD another 12v rect. somewhere ?? ... if so you are doing the it the hard way ....jmho ..... Mike ..... With more info maybe we can come up with something easier ...... Mike

[Rawhide kid]

I'm putting a 12 volt usb hub (marine quality) in the speaker cover on left side. This is so I can charge my iPhone if needed. I've seen others do this and I like how it looks and the placement.

[PMK]

If you own a Unibit step drill large enough that works well for all plastics.

For good results in plastic, it must be true Unibit with a single cutting edge.

Certainly not inexpensive. Maybe you know an electrician or similar if you try to borrow one.

As an alternate method, see if EMT conduit is the proper size. Lightly sharpen the cut edge of the tube on a beltsander or grinder. With gloves on, heat the tube with a propane torch and press it through the plastic. Dress the edge as needed after forming the hole.

[Rawhide kid]

I'm a DIY'er, and I'm curious also ........ I'm trying to figure out Exactly what you are trying to accomplish ?... Do you want to ADD another 12v rect. somewhere ?? ... if so you are doing the it the hard way ....jmho ..... Mike ..... With more info maybe we can come up with something easier ...... Mike

Dr buck has some images of his install here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...=Speaker+panel

[Cruzr Joe]

I used a 1 1/8 forstner bit. Nice tight fit.


Cruzr Joe

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm putting a 12 volt usb hub (marine quality) in the speaker cover on left side. This is so I can charge my iPhone if needed. I've seen others do this and I like how it looks and the placement.

OK, You have some idea's from others ..... make sure the grill is off when you do this ..... If you have a dremel , drill a 1/4 inch hole and then enlarge it with a coarse stone,.... you can buy a HOLE saw , but if you use it run it BACKWARDS... Why are you using the rear plug for the power ???? that's very far away ...so lots of wire , if you don't have a separate power-block ( which is a good idea ) just tap onto the battery ( with a fused wire ) and run it up to the plug ....... Mike

[Roadster Renovations]

[fratzba]

I used the plate as a guideline, and then a dremmel to cut into it for my dual USB port that I installed.

Just make sure that you put it in an area with enough depth to not hit the speaker.

-Fratz

[SpyderCruiser]

I do not know if this helps you. On my 2015 Rt I found a blank plug in the left side (drivers perspective) of the frunk. Behind it were wires that connect to the same circuit as the rear socket. By moving the fuse in the fuse block it can be hot all the time or with the key on. In my case I installed a cig socket in that hole and the wires slipped right on the socket (that is what they are there for).

In your case you can tap those wires and run them to your socket. Added bonus it is already fused and can be turned off with the key.

Good Luck,
Louie

[tmcquain]

I do not know if this helps you. On my 2015 Rt I found a blank plug in the left side (drivers perspective) of the frunk. Behind it were wires that connect to the same circuit as the rear socket. By moving the fuse in the fuse block it can be hot all the time or with the key on. In my case I installed a cig socket in that hole and the wires slipped right on the socket (that is what they are there for).

In your case you can tap those wires and run them to your socket. Added bonus it is already fused and can be turned off with the key.

Good Luck,
Louie

Can you show a picture of where exactly that is ? I couldn't find it on my 15 RT

[SpyderCruiser]

Can you show a picture of where exactly that is ? I couldn't find it on my 15 RT

I hope that this is not a RT vs RTL thing as my Spyder is a Limited. Here is a photo, just to the right of the battery cover. The wires can be reached by removing the battery cover. The socket is a marine socket with rubber cover purchased from epay. There was just a rubber plug I removed from that hole. The hole was the correct size for the cig socket. Handy if you want to plug a phone or sena headsets to charge.

[Rawhide kid]

I do not know if this helps you. On my 2015 Rt I found a blank plug in the left side (drivers perspective) of the frunk. Behind it were wires that connect to the same circuit as the rear socket. By moving the fuse in the fuse block it can be hot all the time or with the key on. In my case I installed a cig socket in that hole and the wires slipped right on the socket (that is what they are there for).

In your case you can tap those wires and run them to your socket. Added bonus it is already fused and can be turned off with the key.

Good Luck,
Louie

Louie, your my new best friend. That is an awesome find!! I will definitely route my wires to that spot rather than the rear. Thanks so much. And isn't it crazy - they put two 12 hubs, or accessory wires, in the frunk and trunk, yet none on the dash? Really?

Thanks again. RHK

[finless]

I used a dremmel.



Bob

[SpyderCruiser]

Louie, your my new best friend. That is an awesome find!! I will definitely route my wires to that spot rather than the rear. Thanks so much. And isn't it crazy - they put two 12 hubs, or accessory wires, in the frunk and trunk, yet none on the dash? Really?

Thanks again. RHK

Glad it helped you.

[fastfraser]

What about this ?IMG_0231.JPGIMG_0232.JPG Keep an eye on your battery at the same time .

[Rawhide kid]

What about this ?IMG_0231.JPGIMG_0232.JPG Keep an eye on your battery at the same time .

Imho, it is a LOT easier to cut into the speaker panel and route a wire there than this placement. But that's just me.
And if I mess up, pretty easy (and cheap?) to replace the panel. But others may vary, and I'm fine with that.

Thanks everyone! Had to button everything back up to ride my bike this week, but hope to work on this soon.

[Mazo EMS2]

Hole saw will work great