2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission bumper plug for block heater

[JTillery]

My bumper plug from geno's just came in the mail the other day. It didn't seem seem to come with instructions, I'm sure I could figure it out, but in an attempt to limit my exposure to the cold, anyone done this before?

 

[wolfman00hd]

Not sure how it is on the 2nd gens, but I installed mine on my 3rd Gen real quick like. It mounted under one of the existing bumper cover to bumper bolts IIRC. Simply cut the end off the factory heater plug, spliced it onto the end of the Wigidigit plug and wa-laa. It was a great purchase for the price and ease of installation.



Wolfman

 

[SRath]

After cutting your cord end off and exposing the wires: Green goes to the middle ground terminal. Black goes to the narrow Hot terminal. White goes to the wider one when looking at the plug. (Just keep the wiring going to the same terminals as before and you will be fine. )

Food for thought:

It is not uncommon to forget a vehicle is plugged in. Consider where you park it at home, and what direction the cord will run from the truck to the outlet. If you orient the truck socket facing the outlet, your cord and socket will have a better chance of surviving if this happens as opposed to being ripped out sideways.

I always loop the cord up around my driver side mirror so I must move it to open the door as a reminder to me or anyone else who gets in to drive it. Always use a 12 gauge or heavier (10 gauge) cord; never a 14 gauge, and spend a couple bucks more to get a cold weather-rated one that remains flexible. Keep it as short as possible and on a dedicated 20 amp GFCI circuit if you can.

I saw these on ebay and think they are a great idea since block heaters draw a lot of juice and can kick a breaker easily and you never really know otherwise if your block heater is actually functioning. This will tell you both: Block Heater Indicator - Engine Motor Car Cord Plug : eBay Motors (item 140378662978 end time Feb-27-10 22:04:06 PST)

 

[JTillery]

my question was more about the mounting plates than the wiring, it seems that the two sheet metal plates are meant to clamp in the space by the foglight, but i seem to be having a problem finding exactly where. Does it require cutting of the plastic trim?

 

[MLee]

I home built my plug more than 10 years ago, and mounted it under and behind the front license plate, out of sight

 

[emarsh]

If you want REAL convenience, mount a 14 gauge RETRACTABLE cord reel under the bumper; I have one on the ram and one on the VW diesel jetta. You cut the stationary end (MALE) of the attached cord off and splice to your block heater. The pull out end you cut off the female and replace it with a MALE u-ground plug. Just remember to pull the cord ALL the way out before plugging in; otherwise the cord will heat up in the rewind canister!

 

[JTillery]

all great ideas, and I appreciate them, but i'm mostly looking for mounting information for the wigidigit bumper plug for 2nd gens.

thanks though

 

[budnate]

I really like the idea of mounting it under/behind the lic plate, easy access and out of site, this summer I am going to study that spot , I cant stand looking at them ugly plug in things mounted in the fog light holes or anywhere in the front bumper area,



I ran a short exstension cord to mine and its tucked in just behind the fog light hole and zip tied to stay, I can grab it real easy and pull it out and plug it in when needed without opening the hood.