no 12v socket in armrest - surprised - can we add one? anyone add qi charger?
#1
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
no 12v socket in armrest - surprised - can we add one? anyone add qi charger?
hi - i saw some posts about the rear seat qi charger - and what a disaster it is!
my S550 has something weird - a little cell phone holder (good luck holding my samsung s8+!) - when i removed it with a little elbow grease there was a nice hole behind it - i guess an access panel to do what you have to do.
i was really surprised there was no 12v socket in there (my BMW has one) - i know there's the ashtray (my BMW has another 12v in the cup holder). i'd rather not have a charger sticking out for my phone - i'm toying with the idea of buying a $30 or so qi charging pad for my phone (like the newer S's have, but not exactly). i will say, i had a charge and media cradle in my BMW, and would keep forgetting my phone in the armrest - so i'm really on the fence.
the samsung can take a fast charge, with an appropriate car charger - if i just use the USB (i am for now, i routed the cord out of the armrest) i can charge it, but not quickly. one thing i really like about qi is that there's NO wear and tear on the charging jack.
Anyway, any advice or suggestions appreciated!
my S550 has something weird - a little cell phone holder (good luck holding my samsung s8+!) - when i removed it with a little elbow grease there was a nice hole behind it - i guess an access panel to do what you have to do.
i was really surprised there was no 12v socket in there (my BMW has one) - i know there's the ashtray (my BMW has another 12v in the cup holder). i'd rather not have a charger sticking out for my phone - i'm toying with the idea of buying a $30 or so qi charging pad for my phone (like the newer S's have, but not exactly). i will say, i had a charge and media cradle in my BMW, and would keep forgetting my phone in the armrest - so i'm really on the fence.
the samsung can take a fast charge, with an appropriate car charger - if i just use the USB (i am for now, i routed the cord out of the armrest) i can charge it, but not quickly. one thing i really like about qi is that there's NO wear and tear on the charging jack.
Anyway, any advice or suggestions appreciated!
#2
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Cell phone mounting options in the W222 SUCK. The only real option is in the console plugged into the USB's there, or having a cord come out of the ashtray. There are not really any nice mounts that I have seen as well. I have the warmth and comfort package so my center console is literally 1" deep. Storage and cupholders are a huge miss with this car. I get that it is not a minivan but jeez, more plugs and storage areas are better.
#3
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Thanks. My console is sizable even with warmth and comfort package. I bought a $20 qi pad that may do the job, I don’t plan to keep it visible ( eyesore ).
#4
QI Charger
I purchased and installed a QI charger for the front seat. I think it looks and works great. I just need to mount/secure the QI charger with double sticky tape. Link below to the video...
#6
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Great idea about the fast charger using the back! My kids would likely kick it, and I can’t believe there’s no 12v in the armrest, MUST be a way to get one in there with only minimal effort, I’d Imagine.
#7
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
I purchased and installed a QI charger for the front seat. I think it looks and works great. I just need to mount/secure the QI charger with double sticky tape. Link below to the video...
https://youtu.be/mdKmzxopgQc
https://youtu.be/mdKmzxopgQc
ALMOST wish no cd changer - finicky, and takes up room where we could otherwise slide the charger if not mounted. Maybe instead of tape use black weak Velcro (versus the super strong plastic type)
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#8
looks awesome, and cute pic of kid. Was going to ask you about the all important cup holders but you showed still work. I ordered a thicker pad yesterday with the intent of using in the armrest - maybe I’ll buy a thin one and do what you did. I’d prefer not to use the console, I’d Forget my phone inside.
ALMOST wish no cd changer - finicky, and takes up room where we could otherwise slide the charger if not mounted. Maybe instead of tape use black weak Velcro (versus the super strong plastic type)
Here’s a link to remove ashtray:
The video mentions two clips to remove the wood cover... it took me a while to figure that out but hopefully this helps explain it a little better:
#9
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Thanks! I like how you did it. I don’t want to waste the lighter socket. I may see about having a radio shop run a circuit to the fuse panel. Also toying with a 12 v socket in the armrest. On the fence. Your solution is slick though - really slick might be to tap in a microbes either with the ones in the arm rest (neatly)or even tap in a new 12v socket hidden near the fuses, then run an adapter and cables from there. Probably overkill.i don’t want to damage the wood. Maybe I could run 2 usb cables near (below)the ashtray for power...
#10
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
I’m still thinking about how you did it, and what improvements (if any) I can think of. My s8 car chargers allow fast charging, and have 2sockets. I MIGHT want to run a micro usb (for the fast charging), an iPad/iPhone cable (for wife/kids), AND maybe a usb-c for when I really need the phone topped off in a hurry. Any issue with 3 cables fitting?
is your qi charger particularly thin? Amazon and eBay have a ton, my older Samsung slow is shiny/slippery, so I want something thin that has some grip on both sides. Any recommendations? Thnaks!
is your qi charger particularly thin? Amazon and eBay have a ton, my older Samsung slow is shiny/slippery, so I want something thin that has some grip on both sides. Any recommendations? Thnaks!
#11
I’m still thinking about how you did it, and what improvements (if any) I can think of. My s8 car chargers allow fast charging, and have 2sockets. I MIGHT want to run a micro usb (for the fast charging), an iPad/iPhone cable (for wife/kids), AND maybe a usb-c for when I really need the phone topped off in a hurry. Any issue with 3 cables fitting?
is your qi charger particularly thin? Amazon and eBay have a ton, my older Samsung slow is shiny/slippery, so I want something thin that has some grip on both sides. Any recommendations? Thnaks!
is your qi charger particularly thin? Amazon and eBay have a ton, my older Samsung slow is shiny/slippery, so I want something thin that has some grip on both sides. Any recommendations? Thnaks!
Link below for the charger that I bought:
#12
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Thanks! The cup holders are definitely important and I knew the armrest wouldn’t work for the same reason you mentioned... I’d forget my phone! The way I did it still allows me to use the cigarette lighter to plug in usb chargers for things like my iPad or if someone needs a charge without a wireless charging phone. I did not have to modify or break anything to run/hide the wire but you have to remove the wood cover and ashtray in order to hide the wire. Once you figure that out it’s easy....
Here’s a link to remove ashtray:
https://youtu.be/NeY4kXJTmkI
The video mentions two clips to remove the wood cover... it took me a while to figure that out but hopefully this helps explain it a little better:
#13
You only have to use a screwdriver or dash removal tool to push down on the two tabs then pull the wood piece towards you. The two tabs are touching my blue dash removal tool. Be patient and it will come off. Note: you don’t have to insert the tool very deep to reach/depress the tabs.
Ive had a terrible cold for three days otherwise I would shoot a quick video.
Ive had a terrible cold for three days otherwise I would shoot a quick video.
#14
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
You only have to use a screwdriver or dash removal tool to push down on the two tabs then pull the wood piece towards you. The two tabs are touching my blue dash removal tool. Be patient and it will come off. Note: you don’t have to insert the tool very deep to reach/depress the tabs.
Ive had a terrible cold for three days otherwise I would shoot a quick video.
Ive had a terrible cold for three days otherwise I would shoot a quick video.
#15
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Success! After about ANOTHER 20 minutes, with the help of Matt’s photos, I managed to find the two plastic tabs to depress, pulled the wood towards me, and had success. Sort of.
i bought multiple cables to run; the space is small, that’s only 1 cable for me. The charging pad (thinnest I could find, I think the same as matt’s) supports fast charging but unfortunately has the connector attached. As in, damage that wire and throw out the charger.
i had to route the wire so it wouldn’t rub, not sure I did it well. I may go back and file some grooves into the ashtray areas for the cable or even more cables.
Another bummer - my Samsung fast charger is waaaaay too big, I’ll look at matt’s Video again and seek a mini fast charger, or else a mini regular charger. Still, cup holder works, and I didn’t break the wood trim, so success. I will say, I’m not even sure it is real wood, there was plastic underneath. That was a little disappointing.
i’ll attempt to post photos in case this helps anyone.
i bought multiple cables to run; the space is small, that’s only 1 cable for me. The charging pad (thinnest I could find, I think the same as matt’s) supports fast charging but unfortunately has the connector attached. As in, damage that wire and throw out the charger.
i had to route the wire so it wouldn’t rub, not sure I did it well. I may go back and file some grooves into the ashtray areas for the cable or even more cables.
Another bummer - my Samsung fast charger is waaaaay too big, I’ll look at matt’s Video again and seek a mini fast charger, or else a mini regular charger. Still, cup holder works, and I didn’t break the wood trim, so success. I will say, I’m not even sure it is real wood, there was plastic underneath. That was a little disappointing.
i’ll attempt to post photos in case this helps anyone.
#16
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Mostly finished, maybe undo and tuck wire better
Wood? Looks like plastic
Routing wire under metal ashtray part to avoid kinking, I hope
Wood removed, route the wire. Notice plastic tabs
Samsung charger is huge. Too huge, can’t close
#18
This worked for me. Still can't close it when the USB cord is plugged in, though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
#19
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
did you file anything or make tiny grooves for the wire? It feels very thin and flimsy. I like how thin the pad is. Deciding whether to use double sided tape or weak Velcro. I think tape to make it more permanent, no easy way to remove without removing the wood or ashtray.
still amazed no 12v outlet in armrest, I may have one installed there, maybe in the middle of that plastic small cell phone holder.
#20
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Well charger arrived and works, but no fast charge. Did fast chRge with my Samsung charger...so, ew mission, find ultra mini fast charger. I will say I was able to close with the unit plugged in, so that was good. I THINK with my phone going full bore (hotspot, gps) that the charge was having it break even and not increase battery percentage.
#21
Maybe this one will work although it only has one port.
AUKEY Car Charger, Flush Fit Quick Charge 3.0 Port for Samsung Galaxy Note8 / S8 / S8+, LG G6 / V20, HTC 10 and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZHKF4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gsDUAbCNWJ9S1
AUKEY Car Charger, Flush Fit Quick Charge 3.0 Port for Samsung Galaxy Note8 / S8 / S8+, LG G6 / V20, HTC 10 and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KZHKF4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gsDUAbCNWJ9S1
#22
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From: Central New Jersey
2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Thanks, i bought that exact one last night, I thought I uploaded the photo, guess not. I’ll,wager this takes care of it, thanks!
#25
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W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
I purchased and installed a QI charger for the front seat. I think it looks and works great. I just need to mount/secure the QI charger with double sticky tape. Link below to the video...
https://youtu.be/mdKmzxopgQc
https://youtu.be/mdKmzxopgQc