Backseat power inverter install

[ExplorerTom]

Added a middle seat inverter today. I've had this small little inverter for years. I have no idea if it's a modified sine wave or true sine wave inverter- for the price I remember paying, probably a modified sine wave. Anyway, it's good for charging various things: DVD players, cell phones, laptops.....

I've always thought that the middle seat radio controls were the dumbest idea ever, so that was my real estate.

Before:


Look at the cavernous space behind there!


Here's all the electronics needed for the back seat passengers to annoy the driver:


And the back of the faceplate of the audio controls.


I then painted the faceplate black to cover the white stencils for audio control and cut out the needed openings for the inverter faceplate. I thought about making my own faceplate, but I think it turned out well enough this way. I then opened up the inverter, cut the wires and soldered in extensions with connectors and wire labels:


All installed:


I haven't been able to test it wired to the battery as I'm waiting on a Blue Sea fuse box to run it through first. But before I cut off the cig lighter plug, it was charging a laptop and iPad just fine.

 

[GAINMOB]

good spot...I may do this

 

[reece146]

Sweet setup, Tom. I've been eyeing that spot for various things also - may convert the cup holder widget to something more useful (mine is broken).

 

[ExplorerTom]

I asked my kids if they ever used those cup holders. The response I got was "cup holders?!?!?!"

I had the same thought. But I'm not sure what else I'd add.

 

[reece146]

Yeah, my boys said the same - they use the other ones.

I was toying with the idea of hacking in some USB sockets and 12V sockets into that space "just 'cuz".

Back in the day it would be a cool location for a 'carputer' but nowadays that doesn't make sense any more.

 

[Tank_Snake]

this is a great idea....going to do this asap

 

[jim midd]

That looks great, but in all honesty, USB ports is probably all you need for most things. If you already had the inverter I don't blame you, but the reality is you are probably using the inverter to convert 12v to 110v, then they are plugging things into to convert back down. If you don't already have an inverter laying around, better off buying and installing something like this

 

[ExplorerTom]

Got one of those too:


And yes, it was mostly because I already had it laying around.