So, my VW Golf had a 12v outlet in the trunk and it was really nice to have somewhere to charge stuff like an iPod or a laptop without sitting in the open. I just finished installing one in my xD. It is wired to a constant 12v source, so it works all the time. I ran a 12 gauge wire and used a 20 amp fuse. The outlet came from West Marine. I find that boat stores generally have nicer 12v accessories than auto parts stores.







It works great... even with my 12v air compressor, which draws almost 16 amps. I often use the compressor to inflate my trailer tires, since the tire pressure has to match the load in the trailer.

Next item on the list: LED upgrade for the trunk light.

 

I remember that! the VW had an offer when you bought a rabbit you got a guitar that plugged into your 12v cig lighter. THAT WAS AWESOME

 

go with garage1217's on here.... i think that's his name... i got his in my trunk, that 1 white LED lights up the WHOLE DANG HATCH!!!! it's bright as hell.

 

I am running a 12V power outlet as well in the hatch of mine. I like your set up though, looks much cleaner than my dangling plug... LOL

 

wow! that is cretainly a good work of art! I wanna know how you did it.

 

Thanks! It was pretty easy, really. I had already run a 12 gauge wire from the fuse box (in front of your left knee as you are driving) to the spare tire well. I use this to power my trailer lights. There is a 20 amp fuse in the line. The power comes from here:



The ground wire is attached to the top most nut for the left tail light. I simply attached an eyelet terminal and tightened it under the nut.

The power wire runs under the door sills on the drivers side, then behind the trunk panel, and comes out by the spare tire (right under where I installed the outlet). At that point, it splits to go to my trailer light power converter (which most people won't have, obvously) and also to the 12v power outlet. Installing the outlet was really easy -- just drill a 1 1/8" hole in the plastic panel, fish the wires through (first through the backing nut for the outlet, then through the panel), attach the wires to the outlet (using crimp-on spade terminals), then stick the outlet in the hole and screw the backing nut onto it. Done!

 

nice job! I may have to add this to the mod list.