grg

Hi guys - just a quick question -- hope one can give some insight

I keep my iPhone to the left bottom of the windshield via suction cup. What's the easiest and cleanest way to run a charging cable there?

Thanks

mhammady

I'm using iPhone charger from belkin that is connecting to the lighter outlet.

grg

Thanks - that's what I am trying to avoid: running cables on my legs or steering wheel.

mhammady

For sure. But the model I'm using doesn't involve cables. I like that one, but I depends on my music on blue tooth and not fm modulator

http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8Z441

grg

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. I am looking for a solution so that i can charge my phone. Not looking for music.

mhammady

I use this device for charging not for music

grg

I see. I am looking for something that would allow me to charge the phone while keeping it to the left bottom of the windshield. Something like running a cable from behind the dashboard to that left driver-side corner.

thunderbirl

To power my device I ran wires from the cigarette lighter, across/inside the lower dash covers to the little panel on the left side of the dash -up against the door. I terminated the wires with a 12V female cigarette lighter. I took the accessory wiring from my device and jammed it down below the dashboard trim on the left side and snaked it behind the seals, behind that cover and plugged it in. It was essentially invisible except for the electrical pigtail I needed up near the A pillar.

On the other hand, the first time I forgot to remove my device while in a municipal parking garage, it cost me about $750 in deductible for the break-in repairs and the lost equipment...

grg

Sounds good, i need to check this. I would rather not use the cigarette lighter and rather hardwire it (i.e. not keep the lighter drawer open all the time). I'll check the cable route you took and see if something similar would be possible.

CLK Group

I have my Escort radar detector hard wired to the area behind the headlight switch. Mine is an '08 so I'm assuming the access will be the same.

1) Open the driver side door.

2) On the side next to the headlight switch you'll see an access panel.

3) Pull the door weather strip in the area out to provide room - just press it back on when finished.

4) Take a flat head screw driver and slowly work the access panel open starting in the middle and working up and down the edges towards the rear. There are 3 prong type fasteners that pop out. The rear edge of the access cover is hinged so the access cover will open like a door. When the fasteners are clear open the cover and remove. Note: The fasteners have aluminum tension strips and the cover is made to be opened and closed.

5) When you look inside you'll find 3-4 wires bundled together. In mine the Black & Green one is the one I used. Power is only on when the ignition is on. Test to make sure. There is also plenty of room for the addition of a fuse.

6) You can run your power cable and tuck it in as you wish.

7) When putting back the access panel place the hinges in first then make sure each fastener is lined up with its respective insertion slot before pressing shut.

grg

This is awesome, thanks a ton guys!

grg

Ok. time for an update. Haven't done it all yet, but I have pics and just the final wiring left to complete. This is way easier than I thought and huge added convenience value - everybody should do it

Special thanks to CLK Group for the inspiration and detailed instructions above.

First, I removed the left access panel. Took only a few seconds with a flat screwdriver. I noted on the image the three prong-type things that hold it in place:



Then, I took a 3-ft USB iphone cable and pressed it through the circled area below. That's really it! No holes or anything. There is enough space for the cable to run just fine. Adjust the end that connects to your phone to the desired length. In my case, just 3 inches or so to reach the phone mount:


Here you see the other end of the cable, as well as the cables that I intend to get power from. These are the cables that go to the light switch. I will try the black and green first, as suggested by CLK Group above.


And this is how I want it! In the pic, you can see my amazing iOttie mount. This mount is very solid and allows you to place or remove the phone quickly with only one move and one hand. When I want to charge the phone, all I need to do is plug that cable in while the phone is in place. No need to have cables running around the car.


Here you see the insides of a cheap car USB charger. All I need to do now is make the cable testing and soldering, then connect the USB cable and wrap the whole thing with electrical tape. The advantage of this setup is that if I change phones or apple changes their plug again in a few years, all I need to do will be to replace the USB cable. I won't need to solder cables again.

CLK Group

GRG - glad to be of help.

I'm not familiar with the iphone power set up, but with my Escort the direct wire kit came with a 3M connector, http://theelectricaldepot.com/index....roducts_id=831, that you simply fold over the power wire - it snaps in place.

The power end of the cord has a male quick slide connector like this one, http://theelectricaldepot.com/index....oducts_id=1261, that is fully encapsulated. You can achieve the same protection by wrapping with electrical tape.

The advantage with this method is that you can remove your cord easily and leave the connector in place when you sell the vehicle.

My set up also came with a ground wire with this connector, http://theelectricaldepot.com/index....oducts_id=1215, which you can attach to any grounded area. I used the torx screw at the bottom of the opening, facing forward. Just unscrew it all the way out, place the connector behind the panel (against the metal), then insert the screw through the panel and connector.

grg

Thanks - this is awesome info. I just went to my local car audio installation shop and they said that they can do it for me tomorrow morning. I know it's straight forward and I can def do it, but I would rather have someone else do it and deal with any troubleshooting of things that can go wrong. Just don't have time for it and I don't want to leave it on my to-do list and never get to do it.

I also discovered another use for my setup: given constant power and the position of the mount, I can now also use my iPhone as a dashboard camera. I have also taken a few facetime calls while driving (not recommended) and the audio comes through the car bluetooth.

Again, thanks for all your help.

KennyHerman

Hi guys, just digging up this thread as I'm looking for this exact solution. Super helpful. Just, before I try to replicate this install, can you confirm that it's held up to the test of time and is still functional?

Thank you!

grg

Kenny - very happy to see that someone benefited from this!

Yes, it absolutely stood the test of time and I love it. No problems whatsoever. To futureproof, install a female 12V lighter outlet inside that left panel so that you can have more flexibility in the future without messing up with cables again.

KennyHerman

Just had a local shop do the work this morning and it looks and works great. Took them ~30 minutes and cost $75 (I'm in NYC, everything is expensive).

Thank you again-