Adding 12 volt, USB and Voltmeter Outlet.

I got the idea for this on a forum.  My model of Travato doesn't have but one 12v outlet in the house, and no USB's.  I was using an adapter that is in the back wall of the van to charge my phone as well as use some accessories like an inflator.

There are USB's in the dash, but they only are active if the key is in the run position.   You can also hardwire something to the chassis battery, but that has it's own downsides.

So I got this device on Amazon.  It has a cigarette lighter port, a digital voltmeter and a 2 port USB (high and low amp):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XN1DAP0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

I wanted the outlets near the front of the van.  It would also be nice to see the battery voltage whilst standing outside the van.  So the side of the dinette seat would be ideal.

First, you mark off the vinyl.   An ink pen will do:

Then carefully score and cut back the vinyl.  You don't want this cut any more than necessary - it also can snag on the hole saw.    The cutting is a two part process - first you cut out a bit of the circles so you can start the hole saw ( if you are familiar with these, they have a drill bit in the center surrounded by a round cutting blade) - this positions your holes so their alignment is perfect.  Then cut the vinyl out as one strip to expose the holes.  Then using your hole saw, drill out the holes.

Place the faceplate over the cuts, and install the individual items - they have little backing flanges on the backside.   Then with a pilot bit, drill out the screw holes and then drive in your screws:

The backside:  Be careful drilling the holes - this is only paneling, so just use a little pressure on your drill.

Now for the wiring.   The distribution panel has an open circuit for an addition 12v item.  So I soldered a wiring harness together  to join the 3 pos and neg wires to a single 12 gauge wires to attach to the back of the distribution panel.  The positive side (red) needed a blade connector, the neg side (white) I put on a ring connector.  Pop on the positive and screw down the negative.

The wires route to a gap in the cabinetry between the dinette and under the closet:
I'll zip tie these up later.

All that's left is to add a fuse to the panel (20 amp at the top) and make it hot.  My individual leads also have their own fuses, so I think the system has ample protection.

Looks like it works!