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Tapping 12V for accessory above dashboard?

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by decibel08, Mar 14, 2014.

  1. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    I imagine this is answered elsewhere already in the Prius C forum but I can't seem to find the answer.

    I have a dashcam that is mounted in the upper right corner of the windshield, and right now the power cord (5.5V device) runs down through the passenger's field of view to the OEM 12V to 5.5V adapter the dashcam came with, plugged into the cigarette lighter.

    What I would like to do, and avoid paying a shop to do, is hide this wiring out of view and attach the 12V to 5.5V adapter to the 12V accessory line somewhere. In order to use this adapter, I'd need the female socket version it fits into, and then I'd need to attach that physically and electrically to the car.

    1) Any tips on how to find a spot to tap into the 12V accessory wiring? I searched and could not find an electrical diagram of the Prius C.

    2) Also is there a convenient place to route the wire to "through" the dashboard? Is the usual route to go under the glovebox? I have zero experience here.

    thanks!
     
    #1 decibel08, Mar 14, 2014
  2. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    from the upper right corner you can run the wire to down the pillar on the right side. run it down that pillar there should be an opening to bring it down behind the glove box. after you bring it behind the glove box, you can then route the cable all the way to the drives side fuse box. and in that fuse box you can use a fuse tap to get ACC/switched power.
     
    #2 kingnba6, Mar 14, 2014
  3. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    I don't see any openings alongside the pillar or at the top/side of the glove box. I took these pictures - any chance you'd be able to draw onto them to highlight where I should look?

    IMG_20140314_181821.jpg IMG_20140314_181834.jpg
     
    #3 decibel08, Mar 15, 2014
  4. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    well you have to remove the actual cover of the pillar.

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 kingnba6, Mar 15, 2014
  5. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    Haha, like I said - zero experience! Makes sense I would need to remove some parts. Thanks for the help. Is there a correct way to remove the pillar without damaging it?
     
    #5 decibel08, Mar 15, 2014
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Be careful if there is an airbag behind the pillar trim. :eek:

    SCH-I535
     
    #6 xliderider, Mar 15, 2014
  7. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    that doesn't sound good. i'm pretty sure there is an airbag in there actually - one of the 9 total?
     
    #7 decibel08, Mar 16, 2014
  8. 2015Prius2

    2015Prius2 Member

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    I have a gopro mounted on the windshield to the right side of the rear view mirror. The charging cord on that gopro is a mini usb, I bought a 10ft usb/mini usb cable and ran it above the headliner to the passenger "A pillar" and down behind the glove box, from there it comes out and plugs in to a 12v usb charger in the 12v receptacle. Works great for my setup. You could hard wire a 12v splice, but if you don't mind about 4 inches of usb cable showing, I would go that route instead of splicing wires.
     
    #8 2015Prius2, Mar 16, 2014
  9. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    Did you have any issues with the airbag in the pillar? Also is the charger itself visible from outside the car? One of my main issues is there are a decent number of car breakins in my neighborhood and I do not want to have a piece of electronics (charger) - that implies more electronics nearby - showing.
     
    #9 decibel08, Mar 17, 2014
  10. TxMedic83

    TxMedic83 Junior Member

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    There are indeed airbags behind the a-pillar. Only tools you'll need to remove them are a pair of needle-nose pliers to undo one of the clip fittings. (You have to grab it and rotate it to release the a-pillar - when you open it you'll see what I'm talking about; It's kind of a pain in the rear, but I'd concur running the wiring down the a-pillar will be the cleanest way to go.
     
    #10 TxMedic83, Mar 19, 2014
    decibel08 likes this.
  11. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    I read in another thread that simply unplugging the battery will prevent the airbags from deploying by accident during any operation like this. I presume this means the battery under the hood, not the one under the rear seat?
     
    #11 decibel08, Mar 20, 2014
  12. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    the prius does not have a bettery under the hood. both the hybrid (HV) battery and 12v battery are located under the rear seats. the 12v battery is on the right side under the rear seats.

    and yes, disconnect the negative from the battery will not let the air bags deploy.
     
    #12 kingnba6, Mar 20, 2014
  13. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    Next question - if I bring a wire out from under the plastic cover over the pillar, what will happen at the boundary between the plastic and the fabric of the ceiling? Will this wire prevent the plastic from sitting properly or flush like it does now? Having trouble seeing how it would still be properly seated at the upper end.
     
    #13 decibel08, Mar 20, 2014
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  14. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Looking at the picture I run the cable along the seam to the right of the detector, then along the seam next to the window, tuck in along the window dash trim, then under the front console, no air bags involved, easy in out if necessary. As it an illegal device in places, it's stealth.
     
    #14 ursle, Mar 20, 2014
  15. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    When you 'run' a cable along an exposed surface inside the car, how do you attach it? Are we talking black electrical tape, clear scotch tape, some kind of cable ties, or something more permanent? Easy in/out as you say would be convenient but I'm curious how you'd affix the cable securely then.
     
    #15 decibel08, Mar 21, 2014
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