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-   -   Power supply advice in 480, please. (https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=290450)

blue and cream Jan 9th, 2019 01:19

Power supply advice in 480, please.
 
I would like to have a permanent power supply for my Garmin SatNav, rather, than plugging /unplugging into the cigarette lighter.
I tend to rely on the Satnav for a speed reading rather than the temperamental and unreliable speedometer: over the years the garage has fitted a new circuit board, a new speedo head, and a new speed sensor. There are still problems. Otherwise I love the car, a 480 Celebration Auto.
The Satnav normally sits in the recess shelf in front of the speedo, and it seems easy to take the cable from the back of the Satnav through the gap where the horizontal shelf meets the bottom of the instrument panel glass. But where can I take a power supply from? I would prefer the source to be ignition-controlled, to eliminate leaving the Satnav switched on and draining the battery.

Any help would be appreciated.

Brian

mhuk Jan 11th, 2019 13:36

try on https://www.volvo-480-europe.org/forum/index.php

dcw Jan 12th, 2019 12:16

I would echo MHUK's advice...indeed, for all things 480...

Even so, why not tap into the power supply to the 12 volt socket behind the centre console? Very easy to get into (call for guidance if not sure).

Despite having 2 480s sitting outside at this very moment I cannot remember if the 12 volt socket is permanently live - sorry, that is the sort of thing I should know by now! But what you could do (maybe in any event) is run the wiring up and through a switch so you can power the sat nav when you want to. Neatest - if you can get hold of one - is to install a switch in the blank next to the heated seat switches - you just need to find another spotlight switch (those panels still come up on ebay every so often).

David

blue and cream Jan 15th, 2019 11:53

Thanks to mhuk and dcw for replying.

I am re-trying the Europe site having now received the mystery code from Jeff.

David: the 12v supply is permanently live, because that's where I have my solar battery charger permanently plugged in - the 480 is used about once a week, so the battery is vulnerable - and why I wanted an alternative non-permanent power supply. I gave up trying to remove the 12v socket once (following the Haynes manual) because I am conscious of how easy it is to break any mounting clips for the trays above (I think this is necessary to slide the ashtray out, having undone the fixing screw in the base) but will try again.

Brian

1995 480 Celebration Auto
2004 C70 GT T5 Auto
2007 V70 D5 Geartronic

dcw Jan 16th, 2019 12:21

Thanks Brian

Removing the centre storage cubbies is not a problem if you are careful:

Remove the ashtray as you would to empty it.

Either side of the centre console is a strip of carpet, velcro'd down and tucked up under console edge. Carefully pull this back from the seat end. You will then find that you can reach up inside the console and press the twin lugs inwards on the storage cubbies. Remove the lower one first as it clips over the ashtray fitting - push in the 2 lugs one side and ease it forward enough to stop them folding back into place, then go round the other side and do the same - the cubby then pops straight out.

Remove the upper cubby the same way.

You probably won't need to remove the ashtray housing at all but if it makes access to the wiring easier then just undo the single screw in its base.

Clearly if the 12 volt socket is permanently live you will need to put a switch in the wiring somewhere - you will see when you open it all up why I suggest the blank next to the heated seats is easiest, if you can get hold of another switch panel and transplant the switch.

I hope that helps - but come back again as needed.

David

blue and cream Jan 24th, 2019 16:45

Power supply advice in 480, please.
 
David:

Thank you immensely.

I have successfully removed the cubby trays following your excellent guidance. The only difference was that I found it impossible to depress the tabs on the lower tray first - I couldn't twist my hand sufficiently to press the two tabs on either side. However, it was relatively easy to reach the tabs on the upper tray, remove it, and then reach down into the vacant space to access the tabs on the lower tray, which then came out easily.

I also removed the ashtray, and it should relatively easy to piggy-back into the cigarette lighter / 12v socket supply wires at that point. I will do this once I have obtained a spare cable (USB at one end) for my Garmin SatNav, so I can join the original cable to the cigarette lighter power supply, and have a spare when I use the SatNav in another car.

I will think about a separate switch, but if not the SatNav has its own.

I am really grateful for your help.


Brian
1995 480 Celebration Auto
2004 C70 GT T5 Auto
2007 V70 D5 Geartronic
(and 2000 MGF Steptronic)

dcw Jan 26th, 2019 20:41

Thanks for the update Brian - it sounds as if you are making progress!

All the best

David


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