Hi Andrew,

Really appreciate the feedback. I found a few different types that come with a mounting plate (like the one you mentioned) and I'm thinking of mounting it under the shelf as well.

Any chance you can take a few pictures of the wiring setup and such?

Thanks

turbo500 said:

Hi Andrew,

Really appreciate the feedback. I found a few different types that come with a mounting plate (like the one you mentioned) and I'm thinking of mounting it under the shelf as well.

Any chance you can take a few pictures of the wiring setup and such?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Ok a few pictures....but please no comments on the quality of the wiring [emoji15] as it does all seem to be working [emoji3]. I haven't shown the actual connection to the fusebox as it is exactly as Peter's photo. The earth is the black wire with a ring connector on the fuel tank (not the iffy looking red wire). Hope these all make sense!
/ATTACH]

....with apologies for the layout/post...did it quickly from my phone and I'm not technically gifted!

While I know and appreciate these add ons are fuse protected I would urge that the wires are run through grommets where they pass through panel work. Our cars aren't the smoothest on the road which can cause a lot of things, wires included, to jiggle about and this could abrade their insulation and cause a spark which, being close to the petrol tank could be really dangerous. Grommets are so cheap and easy to use, please don't take chances

AndrewRL said:

....with apologies for the layout/post...did it quickly from my phone and I'm not technically gifted!

Click to expand...

Thank you Andrew. Really appreciate you taking the time. Just a quick question, the red wire seems to have a black connector on it, is that a fuse or something?

IanEmery said:

While I know and appreciate these add ons are fuse protected I would urge that the wires are run through grommets where they pass through panel work. Our cars aren't the smoothest on the road which can cause a lot of things, wires included, to jiggle about and this could abrade their insulation and cause a spark which, being close to the petrol tank could be really dangerous. Grommets are so cheap and easy to use, please don't take chances

Click to expand...

Yes I agree that putting a grommet is important and will do when it comes time to install mine.

Thank you all for the help

Yes. The black "connector" is an inline fuse. Good luck.

Thanks Ian. As a newbie to all this it is always helpful to get hints and tips especially if safety related. Will get some grommets tomorrow (now wondering if any wires through the bulkhead have them :-( )

Has anybody tried putting their USB outlet inside the ashtray or in place of the ashtray? I'm thinking about doing that and would love to hear ideas or see pictures of how to do it.

I'm also curious about where/how people are mounting smartphones and/or bluetooth speakers.

It's an interesting idea, although I would not do it because I wouldn't want wires feeding out of the ashtray all over the dash.

I know there are a couple 'hacks' people are doing with the ashtray space like this:





That has a USB plug which you could feed off of for a dashcam/phone charger if you are sticking it on the windshield.

If you have the "L"-type console on the centre -tunnel, the most convenient would be to have the socket mounted into that. If I had one fitted I am sure my mobile phone would sit there all the time.

turbo500 said:

It's an interesting idea, although I would not do it because I wouldn't want wires feeding out of the ashtray all over the dash.

I know there are a couple 'hacks' people are doing with the ashtray space like this:

That has a USB plug which you could feed off of for a dashcam/phone charger if you are sticking it on the windshield.

Click to expand...

Where did you find this gadget? I have just bought another 500, and it has an old school radir sitting in the parcel tray. It won't be staying there, but one of these might be a good replacement.

Cheers
Chris

Hi Chris,

I found it on an Italian Fiat 500 website. The owner has photographed all the steps so it should be easy to replicate. If you need anything translated I would be happy to help.

https://fiat500nelmondo.it/impianto-stereo-per-la-vostra-fiat-500-2-parte/

I also found the same stereo on Ebay/Amazon, I know you're in NZ, but most of these things come out of China so you should be able to find it on the local websites.

Here are the links, there are 3 versions, one with a screen and one without and a thinner version:

V1
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/ePathChina-Stereo-Amplifier-Digital-Control/dp/B01ABNNDAO/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&qid=1497238354&sr=8-50&keywords=led+stereo+12v[/ame]

V2
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/AKC-BG-Decode-Bluetooth-Amplifier-Remote/dp/B06Y5SYPLS/ref=sr_1_51?ie=UTF8&qid=1497238354&sr=8-51&keywords=led+stereo+12v[/ame]

V3
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/UEB-Bluetooth-Decoder-Wireless-Speaker/dp/B06Y2BCCV6/ref=pd_sbs_236_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B06Y2BCCV6&pd_rd_r=0ZBXQ85QQ63XFH8PK6F8&pd_rd_w=rP7Il&pd_rd_wg=sg79N&psc=1&refRID=0ZBXQ85QQ63XFH8PK6F8[/ame]

Hope that helps

I was getting a bit annoyed about the cigarette-lighter socket I fitted ages ago. The separate adaptor for USB was never a good fit and used to fall out and leave my phone uncharged. So when I had to move around the wiring and bracket recently I went for a dedicated USB socket similar to the one shown at the beginning of this thread. It fits in exactly the same hole as the lighter-socket but has a more positive locknut at the back to keep it secured. An added bonus is that it has a built-in voltmeter. This serves no real purpose but it's vaguely interesting to see the voltage go up and down. Ahhhh

A really interesting thread, thanks everyone.

About three times a year I'm driving with a need/desire for a SatNav (or using Google Maps on my phone) and the lack of power to charge the unit/phone limits the use time to about an hour. After reading this thread I'll definitely be performing this simple modification over the winter.