A project that others have done in one form or another. The aim is to provide additional accessory power to the rear of the Discovery and install the air compressor behind the rear panelling.
Parts List
8 x metres of 8AGW wire - black (WH3060)
8 x metres of 8AGW wire - red (WH3062)
2 x terminals (HC4062)
2 x 1-4 power distribution blocks (HC4020)
1 x 20amp inline circuit breaker
5 x metres heavy duty (4mm) cable red and black dual strand.
Dual cigarette lighter socket (PS2009)
Various ring and spade connectors
Heat shrink
* The numbers in brackets are Jaycar parts numbers.
Apologies for the poor quality photos, but the light was not great.
Step 1. (a) Strip one end of the 8AGW red wire and attach to a terminal.
(b) Repeat for black wire.
(c) Attach black wire to Earth block as shown in photo.
(d) Measure an cut red wire and insert 20amp fuse using ring connectors as shown in photo. Active (red) wire can be attached to battery terminal or to active lead inside the engine compartment fuse box.
DO NOT ATTACH RED WIRE TO BATTERY UNTIL THE VERY LAST STEP.
Step 2.(a) Thread both wires through the rubber grommet located in the firewall in front of driver.
(b) Then along drivers side kick panel (Under two plastic screws to remove if needed).
(c) To the strip that runs along the edge of the door frame on the floor. The strip has a centre black strip of plastic that needs to be gently prised up to reveal 4 screws.
(d) Undo the four screws and lays the cables in the cavity provided.
(e) Thread the cables under the base of the B pillar and to the strip on the rear door, removing the centre strip and 2 screws as before.
Step3.(a) From here the cables follow the curve of the wheel arch up under the carpet until the plastic interior lining. You need to pull the rubber door seal off and remove (gently) the two plastic plugs holding on the plastic interior lining. It will also be easier if you remove the bolt holding the seat belt.
(b) The next photo shows the cables threaded back behind the lining in a tray to the rear (This is a five seater model with storage bins, but I assume the seven seater is the same). You need to cable tie the cables away from the seat belt mechanism so they dont interfere with its operation.
Step 4.Pull the 2 wires out from the little vent and connect each to the power distribution blocks.
Step5.Connect the active or positive lead back at the battery and reinstall all the trim. Use some neutral silicon to seal around the leads where they pass through the grommet in the firewall.
You now have heavy duty 12v power to the rear of the vehicle. If you have used the power distribution blocks you can now connect up to 4 or more accessories.
I used the heavy gauge dual strand wire to run power across the back door (remove centre strip and undo screws) and installed my air compressor and an extra cigarette lighter socket behind the left hand rear vent.
I ran another set of wires back to under the drivers seat (top cable seen in Step 2e) to a dual socket cigarette lighter to power my laptop and GPS. This tucks very neatly under the CD changer / storage bin.
I have also installed a 12v - 240v 300w inverter behind the right rear vent.
