Wireless Charger in Center Console Lid

[pipdicker]

I would like to mount a wireless charger for my phone underneath my console lid, so that when I set my phone in the tray it charges.

 

The challenge is I would need to disassemble the lid so that I can attach the charger close enough to the outer surface of the tray for the phone to charge. Please see my crude illustration below:

 

 

a) Has anyone done this?

b) Is anyone familiar with disassembling the lid? Not removing it from the console, but separating the outer and inner pieces to place charger inside.

[Coach Hill]

I would like to mount a wireless charger for my phone underneath my console lid, so that when I set my phone in the tray it charges.

 

The challenge is I would need to disassemble the lid so that I can attach the charger close enough to the outer surface of the tray for the phone to charge. Please see my crude illustration below:

 

Console Lid.png

Console Lid 2.png

 

a) Has anyone done this?

b) Is anyone familiar with disassembling the lid? Not removing it from the console, but separating the outer and inner pieces to place charger inside.

No and No but, I'd really like to know how you do it if you figure it out.

[fondupot]

Be the first! And document it all!

[MotoMedic]

Very cool idea.

 

I recently tried to repair a bench seat center console lid on an old Suburban. Some parts of the outer and inner lid halves appeared to have been harmonically welded together (parts touching melt & bond from ultrasonic vibrations without melting surrounding plastic). Trying to separate the halves would have broken the plastic further.

In your case, hopefully GM got cheap and just snapped them together this time!

[Rock1500]

I was just thinking about that yesterday when my cell phone charging port broke and I had to resort to a charging pad. I was thinking of a way to have this on my truck as well. Instead of replacing lid, I think the idea would be to find a charging pad that is thin in enough (even if you have to take it apart to lay over the lid and then drill a hole to run the cable down. The issue I have with my charging pad is that it needs alot of juice to be picked up by the phone to charge.

[Chris]

Looked into this myself, keep in mind my truck is 10 years older and I have no issues with using my drill. The problem I have seen with doing a clean install is havibg one thin enough to fit. Also I dont know how many of you are like me and keep your phones in a strong case. That could have a negative effect on charge power

[KUUG]

Great idea! I'll be following this thread and researching some myself...

[Sooperdave]

Great idea! I'll be following this thread and researching some myself...

Yeah, this sounds like you could be on too a great idea here!

[pipdicker]

So, here is some additional information I have found and some out loud thoughts....

 

Here is a charger I use that works pretty well (minus the annoying beep when contact is made). The effective range of this unit is 8mm (just over 1/4 inch). One option would be to remove the case to trim down the size and attach that to the underside. Although I still have to figure out how to separate the inner and outer shells of the lid.

 

 

 

[pipdicker]

OK....

 

This project appears much easier than I previously thought.

 

I was in by buddy's Tahoe and realized that if you remove the rubber lining to the tray there are 4 screws that allow you to remove it the entire tray (not necessary as you just need access to affix the charger to the underside of the tray). I also took apart my wireless charger to reduce the bulk.

 

This is the transmission coil from inside the charger pictured above:

 

This is the coil next to my buddy's Tahoe tray:

 

The coil by itself under the tray (obviously this would be done from the underside....I'm thinking a notch on the backside of the lid to keep it looking neat)

 

Here the tray in my Sierra with plastic insert removed (would notch underside of lid as outlined above):

 

This charger has an effective range of ~4-5mm which really is pushing it. I've ordered another charger which should arrive next week. This one has been touted with a 15mm range, which should be more than enough. If you have a thicker case (e.g. otterbox) this would potentially push the phone out of range.

 

I'll update my findings with the new charger.

[Rock1500]

So you are looking to put it under the lid in the compartment area the coil? I wonder how hard it would be to make your own coil so it fits the whole slot. Also if can jury rig 2 usb ports does it double the output? Because I have to plug mine into an outlet to get a proper charge.

[pipdicker]

I understand the challenge of charging your phone via USB. I will say this device does put out a 640ma charge over usb which should charge your device.... depending on the number of apps and background processes are running. If you're running gps there's no way.

 

If you're on Android there is an app called GSam Battery Monitor. This not only identifies the charger output, it will help you identify apps using your battery.

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

 

[Full Lock]

sub'd that's a awesome idea OP

[Rock1500]

Some DIY websites for this to get some ideas.

 

http://www.qiwireless.com/category/diy/

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2545350

(check the one called 2013 Toyota Avalon–the most expensive Nokia Lumia 920 accessory yet)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Wireless-Power-Transmission-Over-Short-Distances-U/step1/What-is-it-How-does-it-work/

 

 

DIY kit - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/QI-wireless-chargerPCBA-sample-wireless-charging-Circuit-board-with-the-coil-wireless-charging-accessory-DIY-wireless/1325747887.html

http://dx.com/p/universal-diy-qi-wireless-charger-transmitter-receiver-modules-kit-black-281816#.UyukHM4-dTI

 

So I have to check in my truck, my does the USB continue to have power after the truck is turned off? Reason I am asking is because you don't want to continue draining power while the car is off or when no phone is attached to the device. Maybe an on / off switch is needed.

[MotoMedic]

OK....

Here the tray in my Sierra with plastic insert removed (would notch underside of lid as outlined above)

 

This charger has an effective range of ~4-5mm which really is pushing it. I've ordered another charger which should arrive next week. This one has been touted with a 15mm range, which should be more than enough. If you have a thicker case (e.g. otterbox) this would potentially push the phone out of range.

 

I'll update my findings with the new charger.

Not sure how you feel about cutting stock plastics, but you could drenel out a complete circle the size of charger and mount it flush with outer lid. Then when you replace rubber liner, charger will still be hidden but you have less material between it and phone.