12 volts up front ?

[FrankPa]

Hey Everyone-

I'd like to get some ideas on where everyone has put a 12 volt outlet up near the driver's area for cell phone, gps, etc. Where you've tapped into to get power. And what parts (from where) were used.

I just about kills me to spend what BRP wants for a 12 volt outlet, and then have to put it back by the passenger where the pop out is!

Thanks, in advance, for your comments...

[Yfactor]

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[NancysToy]

The pop-out near the passenger is for the comm system interface, not a 12V outlet. It will work for one, though. I put Powerlet outlets in my front speaker panels. They are powered from an Eastern Beaver 3CS fuse block I installed. I did something similar with the other two Spyders, too. I highly recommend the Powerlet (BMW-type) outlets.

There is really no simple and cheap way to do this. Even the simplest connection requires removal of a lot of bodywork. If you have it done by a dealer, that translates into substantial labor costs.

[SpydherLuv]

Scotty, can you post a pic or two of your setup? And, can you explain how to setup the fuse block you mentioned? I, too, like the BMW style powerlet and would be interested in installing one on my RT-S.

[FrankPa]

Yes, if the dealer does it it will be expensive... and if I do it, it will be a pain in the a**...

Might wait until the next oil change, when some of the panels will be off anyway (I think)...

But thanks to the two responses so far, and I too would like to see some pics of that speaker grill installation.

[NancysToy]

Scotty, can you post a pic or two of your setup? And, can you explain how to setup the fuse block you mentioned? I, too, like the BMW style powerlet and would be interested in installing one on my RT-S.

I didn't take pictures of the Powerlet installation this time, apparently. I wll to to shhot some tomorrow or Friday. On my 2010 I put the Powerlets in the glove box Y-panel. That was tricky, since there is no room for error and the glovebox is a pain to remove. Removing the speaker grills is easier, they just pop out (with difficulty). The 3CS was installed on both Spyders under the left side panel, near the positive jumper terminal. It was wired directly to the battery, with the relay coil pulled in by the light circuit on the passenger heated grip switch.



On the 2010, I wired everything myself, through a piece of split loom, but on the 2011 I elected to purchase ready-made wiring looms for the Powerlet outlets from Eastern Beaver, which greatly simplified the wiring runs. Sorry, no good ways to take pictures of all that, or explain the step-by-step process. Wiring is not really a learn as you go along operation, anyway.