being the owner of a bmw motorcycle...i recently
purchased one of these accessory socket adapters for
the not-so-reasonable price of $25.  i suppose the
price is probably acceptable if you factor in the time
and money you would spend converting all your other
12v accessories to the "euro-plug" version.
personally, before this article was posted...i didn't
have a clue that it also worked in my vanagon.  as
soon as i get the van running again, i'll be sure to
use my accessory adapter instead of converting the
outlet like i did in my last van.

here's a site that sells the adapters...however i'd
look up your local BMW Motorcycle dealer, as you'll
probably get a better deal there (plus you get to look
at the new bikes when you're there...bonus)!

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=1264

thanks for being there listees!
mike

--- Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> An excellent write up on the Silver Socket appears
> on Richard Atwell's site:
> http://www.ratwell.com/technical/SilverSocket.html
>
> Steve Lashley from EuroCampers offers them and plugs
> on his site:
>
http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=1105726
>
> The Trim Shop (which specializes in selling stuff
> for type 181 VW Things)
> has a herd of accessories which plug in to this
> socket. They're located in
> Phoenix, Arizona, and their phone number is
> 800.966.7791.
> (This paragragh quoted from Vanagon.com - dunno if
> the phone number is still
> valid)
> http://www.vanagon.com/info/faq/#silver_socket
>
> Check these links out for more info
>
> Enjoy....
> --
> Jim Thompson
> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> **********************************
> On 2/7/06, dylan friedman <insyncro@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Jim,
> > Thank you for sharring!!  One of my 91 Syncros has
> it.  I even pulled the
> > dash to see if it was stock.  Sure looks to be.  I
> haven't used it though.
> > Where can I pick up an accessory to test it?  TIA.
> >
> > dylan
> >
> > *Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>* wrote:
> >
> > Aaron -
> >
> > This is a subject that comes up perennially for as
> long as the Vanagon
> > List
> > has existed.
> >
> > The Silver Socket is a Power Outlet that is
> normally installed on
> > Westfalias
> > (standard) and I've seen them on some MultiVans
> and Weekenders. It made
> > it's appearance in the late 70s on the Bay Window
> Westfalia. It normally
> > resides on the portion of Dash Face near the Cig
> Lighter. It looks like a
> > Silver disc with a hole in the center where the
> power cord for your
> > particular accessory. Being European by design, it
> can be assumed that
> > mostly European made (and European sold) 12 volt
> Accessories are plugged
> > into it. There were a few VAG/VOA Accessories
> available for it's use at
> > one
> > time.
> >
> > In addition to John Deere Tractors, they were also
> found on VW Type 181
> > Things and BMW Motorcycles. The Trim Shop (aka The
> Thing Shop) in Arizona,
> > BMW Motorcycle Dealers and I guess John Deere
> distributors carry the
> > socket
> > as well as the plug for this receptacle. I've
> rewired a number of cig
> > plugs
> > with this plug to utlize my Silver Socket over the
> years. IMHO I think
> > it's
> > a better connector to use than the cig lighter
> socket.
> >
> > Hi-Yo Silver Socket! :-)
> > --
> > Jim Thompson
> > 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> > 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> > 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> > oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> > http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> > **********************************
> > On 2/7/06, Aaron Pearson wrote:
> > >
> > > okay, what is a silver socket? i remember this
> came up once before in a
> > > list of quirky vanagon features, but no one ever
> said where it is or
> > what
> > > it
> > > does. do they all have one? my new van plays the
> song on start up, i
> > > didn't know what everyone was talking about
> until last weekend when i
> > > drove
> > > it for the first time. my old van was silent.
> where's the silver
> > > socket???
> > >
> > > aaron
> > > '87 syncro westy ej22
> > >
> > >
> > > >From: Old Volks Home
> > > >Reply-To: Old Volks Home
> > > >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >Subject: Re: Silver socket for your John Deere.
> > > >Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2006 14:35:13 -0800
> > > >
> > > >And the Silver Socket Rides Again! (Lone Ranger
> music fading in the
> > > >background)
> > > >--
> > > >Jim Thompson
> > > >84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> > > >73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
> > > >72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
> > > >oldvolkshome@gmail.com
> > > >http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> > > >**********************************
> > > >On 2/7/06, Pensioner wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > These fit the 'silver socket'
> > > > >
> > > > > Prices are not current or voltage for that
> matter...
> > > > >
> > > > > Left side:
> > > > > John Deere SOCKET OUTLET,
> > > > > Part Number: AL25073,
> > > > > Cost: $6.35
> > > > >
> > > > > Right Side:
> > > > > John Deere PLUG,
> > > > > Part Number: RE11344,
> > > > > Cost: $8.32
> > > > >
> > > > > Yet another electrifying experience...
> > > > >
> > > > > p
> >
> >
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com