Well first two non-cosmetic mods.

 

Installed my new Dashcam; a Nextbase 412GW. I did have a cheap twin camera dooberry that was okay but it was 4 years old, the picture quality wasn't great and it relied on a capacitor rather than a battery to shut down properly. The new unit has a 1440 line camera and superior night-time performance.  It also has a magnetic, quick-release bracket so it can be dropped in my pocket.  It's wired in with a genuine Nextbase hardwire kit.  I thought about a generic kit but the official version came with two piggyback fuses. In the end I slotted it in an unused fuse slot rather than borrow a different circuit.

 

The other item is a 12V to USB module. 12 volts DC in, 2 x 5 volts DC out. The output for both together is rated at 3 amps, which is more than enough to charge two smartphones simultaneously. I was able to feed the module through the gap between the "ashtray" and the ventilation controls. It was a bugger of a job due to limited access behind the console but I applied an unusually high amount of patience. The module is stuck on the back of the console next to where the passenger's knee would be. I used another piggyback fuse adapter (another unused circuit) as the power source.

 

At the moment both items are on permanently but I'm not two worried. I do enough mileage each week to keep the battery fully charged and I don't leave anything plugged in to the newly added USB sockets.  If things change then I'll out the dashcam and charging module on a single fuse point and use a battery saver module.  Everything is attached with insulated spade connectors so fitting an additional module will be easy.

 

Accessing the internal fuse panel is a doddle. Trim panels are easily removed, as is the glovebox cover. Putting the glovebox back? I have been tempted to forget about the little damper more than once.

 

My next project is to add another 12V to USB module in the back for my little mate's gadgets. Not sure where I'll tap in for power. I think the 12V socket in the boot is switched with the ignition and as we have a tendency to transport a coolbox on a regular basis it might me best to route from there. If anyone else has done this, advice and suggestions are welcomed.

 

 

Great

I thought I better show off the other two mods. Not so much mods as cosmetic changes.

 

I am sad enough to own a cherished number plate. SWMBO prefers to keep the plate as she doesn't have to remember a new reg every 3 years. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

 

For a change I went for a short, pressed-metal number plate. My reg is only 5 characters so before anyone tries to claim it's not legal to fit such a small plate, all of letters and numbers used are the correct size, the spacing meets the regulations and there is the required 11mm gap around the edge. I think the Octy suits a small plate and actually makes the car look wider and more imposing. Using a smaller plate on the back gave me enough room to add the GB badge on a flat surface.

 

I'm still undecided over the badges on the back.  I normally debadge my cars on the day I get them but I quite like the typeface.

 

The second change had to be the stickers. One on each side on the rear quarterlights. The silver really pings off the dark glass.

 

As for the two-tone paint finish.  That's a result of 650 miles in to Scotland and back. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.