Ok I would like to add a 2nd accessory socket to the 380

in younger models this came standard but my 380 only has the one

Question is

1. How easy is it to install yourself
2. do you need a specific 12v socket or can you use one from any old car?and put it in the slot in the centre console box

any help is graciously accepted

BTW I have scoured the Service manual and I cant find anything (I must be blind)

I have one fitted to the console of my 380, its soldered to the wires that supply power to the one already there. Pretty easy job, if you have a soldering iron.
I sourced my new socket from a store (generic). If you're not game, I think mine was about $36.00 Fitted.

I have fitted the factory one to the centre console. Very easy to fit and just clips into a socket that is already there. Instructions come with it.
Only problem is that it always has power to it which i thought was a bit strange to why it was not linked to the ignition. Only use it for the phone so no big power pulls and when not charging it is only the light on the charger that is on.

Having an accessory socket with constant power can be a good thing - eg: phone nearly flat, lets lock it in the car to charge while in the shops/pub etc.

In my cars I have several added-in sockets, and used the 3rd Gen Phone Kit connection (it has constant 12V wire, plus switched 12V wire) and I have the accessory sockets switched so I can choose to have power only with Ign key, or constant power. I got sockets from self-serve wreckers, and also triple/quad socket adaptors from accessory shops - I never have anything drawing too much power (phone adaptor, ipod adaptor, UHF charger cord, tom-tom etc).

Not sure of the set-up in 380's - does the accessory socket area/hole have any special features that make use of genuine article desireable? The cig lighters from 2nd and 3rd gens have a shroud behind the socket to accept the illumination bulb - this makes it bulkier (but you can pull it apart and dump the shroud).

These 2nd/3rd gens also have a locating plastic tab through another hole in the metal, and this is handy in some cases - for instance I have a sole cig socket down near fuses in drivers footwell - for Tom Tom which I locate near drivers a-pillar. I used a simple "L" bracket from hardware shop bolted to that spare hole in the cig socket - this lets me use the other end of the L bracket under the screw holding the plastic panel on..... so I have a nice secure socket angled up out of the way, but easily accessible if I want it.

Whether a wrecker or generic accessory suits best depends on what is in the 380, and there (like so many other places) I have no knowledge.