Accessory plug in, suggestions wanted

I picked up this two hole accessory plug to replace the one on my boat. Old one was not a design intended for a marine environment and blew fuses way too often. This new one is meant for marine application and also has both the cigarette lighter type hole (for my spotlight) and a usb plug for phone amd/or i-pilot remote charging. Now that I have it I am a little torn about where to install it. I am thinking either below the keys on the left or under the switches on the right. Open to hearing other opinions/rationale to help me decide the best spot before I start cutting holes. Most of the time if I use these it will probably be the usb one for phone, but occasionally (like 1-3 times a year tops) I may need to plug in the spotlight.

Thanks guys.

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I would be tempted to just zip tie it somewhere until I tried it out. If I liked it in a spot I would mount it then. Otherwise just move it. One thing to consider is where would the phone sit when plugged in? You don’t want it bouncing around on the dash I don’t think.

Somewhere where you can not break off a usb with your knee. I say below graphs to the right of your switch cluster.

i bought one and the covers seem like they would not stay closed in any way. I would put it where it doesn’t get wet. And i would get the matching voltage meter.

mark-bruzek wrote:

Somewhere where you can not break off a usb with your knee. I say below graphs to the right of your switch cluster.

X2, even drop it down to trim under vinyl. It’s where I put mine, like the phone riding up on dash, it’s cushiony enough. Should say I don’t own one of those super glassy super fragile iPhones either….

nhamm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mark-bruzek wrote:</div>
Somewhere where you can not break off a usb with your knee. I say below graphs to the right of your switch cluster.

X2, even drop it down to trim under vinyl. It’s where I put mine, like the phone riding up on dash, it’s cushiony enough. Should say I don’t own one of those super glassy super fragile iPhones either….

Definitely planning to go below the vinyl and in the carpeted area. I was thinking the same for on the right in regards to keeping it away from my knees, my only concern on the right is it would make more of a pain with the spotlight cord, but will be far less of a concern than a phone cord.

i would put that plug near the right side somewhere as a charger and then add another 12v outlet as a stand alone on the left side just under the dash for your spot light. you will need bigger gauge wires for your spot light along with a higher amp fuse then you would want for a phone charger.

I remember one night heading up the river after dark. spotlight scanning GPS following the track for before everything going great until…..

Out of the blue, everything went dark, no graphs/GPS, no running lights no spotlights no nothing. Yep you guessed it the spotlight drew too much and blew the fuse at the battery. (I did have everything fused too)

Long story short ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP!

I have had occasion where the iPhone overheated in the sun beneath the windshield in my boat, so be aware. Good luck.

My phone rides great on that ledge under the dash on the right. If you want a drip proof area under the dash is the location. There’s plenty of room under there where you can custom build a mount that can be installed under there, even face down. Lots of possibilities.

I think right it will be. Now to cut to holes without making a mess.

poomunk wrote:

I think right it will be. Now to cut to holes without making a mess.

Bought a nice, small and cheap vac just for these types of cleanups. Portable without the hassle of a big shopvac. I don’t ever use it but when I do man it’ll be sweet