I have had the need in the past to charge my MacBook while being around, and Apple never released a car adapter. so I decided to retrofit the OEM inverter in the car, as it may come handy for something else too, who knows.
the inverter is an option (PR code 9Z3) only available on the Golf Wagon. original part number is 5Q0 907 155, then there are different versions with different index, but all very similar. I chose index F, coming from a Tiguan. rated output power is 150 watts over 230 volts.
the inverter has only 3 wires: GND, a fused Terminal 30 and LIN-BUS. I chose to install it behind the glovebox, I just tied it to a big wire harness that runs from behind the lower A-pillar to the upper part of the dashboard. there is also a GND nut close by, under the door sill, and that is where I connected the GND wire. I chose to dedicate fuse C44 to the inverter, so I ran the wire from behind the cabin fusebox to the inverter. T30/GND wires are 2,5 mm2 section.
LIN-BUS is pin3 on the Gateway, but it can also be found on pin7 of the BROWN connector behind the lower A-pillar on the driver's side. so I spliced in the wire and run a 0,34 mm2 section wire to the inverter.
total installation time took 3 hours. the most challenging task is, as usual, inserting the pin for a new fuse from behind the fusebox. it is struggling, takes a lot of tries and patience, but it can be done without moving the fusebox. removing the knee airbag is mandatory, to gain better access of the rear of the fusebox.
the wiring diagram says the fuse should be 30A, and I wonder why. 150W over 12V is just 12,5A so I installed a 20A fuse.
the inverter has a single 2-prong socket, with a red/green LED and a NO limit switch that detects when a plug is inserted. I have scraped the whole assembly, instead I ordered a power strip with 3 CEI 23-50 P40 sockets, this will accept every kind of plug we use in Italy. I will velcro the strip just above the passenger mat, basically on the carpet under the glove box. I don't have a dual color LED, so I will install separate red and green LEDs. for now I bypassed the limit switch by joining the two wires together.
coding is straight forward into the Gateway, BYTE 0 BIT 3 and BYTE 7 BIT 0 need to be ON.
NOTE: with the limit switch bypassed the inverter is always ON (LED is green), even with the car locked, even after one hour. I might install a toggle switch on the side of the power strip, I assume it would act as an on/off switch. I expect the LED to go red when the plug is unplugged, but I am not certain of the behaviour since my car manual does not mention the inverter.
I will post an updated autoscan in the non-broken section. I will add a picture here once I get the power strip and finalise the installation.
the inverter is an option (PR code 9Z3) only available on the Golf Wagon. original part number is 5Q0 907 155, then there are different versions with different index, but all very similar. I chose index F, coming from a Tiguan. rated output power is 150 watts over 230 volts.
the inverter has only 3 wires: GND, a fused Terminal 30 and LIN-BUS. I chose to install it behind the glovebox, I just tied it to a big wire harness that runs from behind the lower A-pillar to the upper part of the dashboard. there is also a GND nut close by, under the door sill, and that is where I connected the GND wire. I chose to dedicate fuse C44 to the inverter, so I ran the wire from behind the cabin fusebox to the inverter. T30/GND wires are 2,5 mm2 section.
LIN-BUS is pin3 on the Gateway, but it can also be found on pin7 of the BROWN connector behind the lower A-pillar on the driver's side. so I spliced in the wire and run a 0,34 mm2 section wire to the inverter.
total installation time took 3 hours. the most challenging task is, as usual, inserting the pin for a new fuse from behind the fusebox. it is struggling, takes a lot of tries and patience, but it can be done without moving the fusebox. removing the knee airbag is mandatory, to gain better access of the rear of the fusebox.
the wiring diagram says the fuse should be 30A, and I wonder why. 150W over 12V is just 12,5A so I installed a 20A fuse.
the inverter has a single 2-prong socket, with a red/green LED and a NO limit switch that detects when a plug is inserted. I have scraped the whole assembly, instead I ordered a power strip with 3 CEI 23-50 P40 sockets, this will accept every kind of plug we use in Italy. I will velcro the strip just above the passenger mat, basically on the carpet under the glove box. I don't have a dual color LED, so I will install separate red and green LEDs. for now I bypassed the limit switch by joining the two wires together.
coding is straight forward into the Gateway, BYTE 0 BIT 3 and BYTE 7 BIT 0 need to be ON.
NOTE: with the limit switch bypassed the inverter is always ON (LED is green), even with the car locked, even after one hour. I might install a toggle switch on the side of the power strip, I assume it would act as an on/off switch. I expect the LED to go red when the plug is unplugged, but I am not certain of the behaviour since my car manual does not mention the inverter.
I will post an updated autoscan in the non-broken section. I will add a picture here once I get the power strip and finalise the installation.
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