Hi all,

I hope this is the right place to post this query.

I recently fitted a new stereo to my 03 Octavia estate (Kenwood KDC-BT52U - seems pretty good so far)

It has a microphone which I was able to fit the cable through some gaps from behind the stereo to a gap on top of the steering column - looks pretty neat other than the gaffer tape holding it in place

While doing this I thought it must be possible to "spur" off the power for the stereo to feed a usb charger.

I would want this thing to sit in the little shelf under the steering wheel so that there will be less cables dangling about. In my house I have made spurs so can't see why it shouldn't work in the car.

Would it be possible to just buy this thing http://www.maplin.co.uk/micro-dc-to-usb-adaptor-274029 and crimp or otherwise attach cables to the power inlet for the stereo?

This will be charge my phone which will sit on the steering column.

I notice that people have hardwired in TomToms and the like and added cigarette lighters but couldn't find any mention of what I ask.

Thanks in advance,

Ian

I would imagine when people have done those things they've taken a new feed from the fuse box rather than taking it out the stereo......

It would be much easier just to put a spade connector into an empty space in the fuse box its right next to the drivers door so less wire to run and it will power on and off with the ignition same as the stereo.

In my car I used the spare slot in the fuse box for heated seats as this powers on/off with ignition. I then ran the cable up the side next the the pillar to my phone holder.

This is better in that you are not placing extra load/chances of shorts on the fuse for the stereo that also runs other things too. If it pops then you could loose power to other electrical items in the car and if you don't have a fuse handy or it keeps going it could be annoying!

Phil

You could get something like this to make the job pretty straight forward and safe

Presumably the OP's car is also a Mk1 being a 2003 model...

First of all, thanks for so many responses so far - very helpful.

Presumably the OP's car is also a Mk1 being a 2003 model...

Oh sorry - didn't mean to put it in the wrong place.

The fuse box is on the right of the steering wheel though so easy to get to.

I was thinking of behind the stereo because there would be less wire visible, well I expect so anyway. However other that take the plastic cover off the fuse box I didn't really investigate too much. I agree it would be easier to get hold off in the event of a minor electronic catastrophe!

That fuse attachment thing looks promising - will investigate.

Thanks again,

Ian

I fitted a 4-port 12v base into the glove-box, run from a switched live in the fuse-box. Screwed it to the top of the glove-box (making a couple of holes for cables. Plugged in the Samsung car-dock, dash-cam and USB charger for a Nokia. All is neatly tucked away, the user end of the cables come out in the touch-box on top of the dash.

I fitted a 4-port 12v base into the glove-box, run from a switched live in the fuse-box. Screwed it to the top of the glove-box (making a couple of holes for cables. Plugged in the Samsung car-dock, dash-cam and USB charger for a Nokia. All is neatly tucked away, the user end of the cables come out in the touch-box on top of the dash.

Great, thanks. do you have any parts numbers or place to get from?

Halfords (yeah yeah I know), about a tenner.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_155525_langId_-1_categoryId_165489

(Remember this was on a MK2, I don't know how easily it relates to a MK1)

Took stereo out.

Took the glove-box out, drilled a couple of holes tucked up the top/back for cables to run through.

Cut the plug off the 4-port.

Screwed the 4-port to the glove-box. (remember to leave enough room to have stuff plugged in)

Ran power-cable into stereo hole

Took the fuse box cover off and the stereo out. The old "straightened metal coat-hanger" carefully pushed through from the fusebox into stereo hole.

Taped power-cable to end of coat hanger.

Carefully pull cost-hanger back out.

Connect power-cable to earth and fused 12v as required.

Make tea.

Excellent, thanks RainbowFore. Was the multisocket the only thing you needed to buy or did you also need one of these things or similar? http://www.co-star.c...t/IFH.14/IFH.14

My car doesn't have the box in the middle of the dash but I expect I can do something similar. The idea of using a coat hanger is good. When putting wires under floor boards I used a bit of plastic conduit - same principle.

Do you have any photos of your setup?

Cheers

Ian

I used an in-line fuse and a spade connector into a spare, switched socket on the fuse box. Plenty of room for the holder tucked into the dash behind the fuse box.

I'll grab some photos at the weekend, if it stops raining for long enough

Great thanks - looking forward to the pics so I can get better feel for what to do.