SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Cupholder mount on passenger seat - use as cell phone mount?
06-16-2013, 06:44 PM
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2003 SL55 AMG
Cupholder mount on passenger seat - use as cell phone mount?
Has anybody ever looked at using the cupholder on the front of the passenger seat as a cell phone mount?
I'm talking about the removable cupholder, not the pop-outs on the console. The cupholder plugs into a small socket on the front corner of the passenger seat. (2003 SL55)
I want a place to mount my phone using a flexible-stalk phone holder (e.g. Scosche PowerMount), but I don't want it to block any of the console controls, and I don't want to use the ashtray. The cupholder mount would a perfect location.
One approach would be to modify the phone holder so it plugs into the cupholder socket. Or I could replace the cupholder socket with a 12V receptacle.
Ideas, anybody?
I'm talking about the removable cupholder, not the pop-outs on the console. The cupholder plugs into a small socket on the front corner of the passenger seat. (2003 SL55)
I want a place to mount my phone using a flexible-stalk phone holder (e.g. Scosche PowerMount), but I don't want it to block any of the console controls, and I don't want to use the ashtray. The cupholder mount would a perfect location.
One approach would be to modify the phone holder so it plugs into the cupholder socket. Or I could replace the cupholder socket with a 12V receptacle.
Ideas, anybody?
06-18-2013, 02:10 PM
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2003 SL55 AMG
Found a simple solution
I came up with a simple solution: use a deep-well socket as an adapter with a modified flex-stalk phone holder.
It turns out that a standard 11/16" deep-well socket (3/8" drive) fits perfectly into the hole for the cupholder. You just press the socket into the hole, and it fits around the existing metal frame piece. What you're left with is a 3/8" square hole on the top of the socket.
The phone holder I used is a Scosche PowerMount ($20 at Walmart). I removed the stalk from the base, and used a small hand saw to trim the end of the stalk down to a 3/8" square. It fits right into the socket. The socket was chrome, so I sanded the surface and sprayed it with primer and semi-gloss black paint.
From my perspective as driver, the position seems perfect. It's reasonably steady, and easy to reach. The appearance is very professional considering the entire project took less than an hour and cost $25. I'll have to wait and see whether it gets in my passenger's way.
I hope somebody else finds this post useful.
It turns out that a standard 11/16" deep-well socket (3/8" drive) fits perfectly into the hole for the cupholder. You just press the socket into the hole, and it fits around the existing metal frame piece. What you're left with is a 3/8" square hole on the top of the socket.
The phone holder I used is a Scosche PowerMount ($20 at Walmart). I removed the stalk from the base, and used a small hand saw to trim the end of the stalk down to a 3/8" square. It fits right into the socket. The socket was chrome, so I sanded the surface and sprayed it with primer and semi-gloss black paint.
From my perspective as driver, the position seems perfect. It's reasonably steady, and easy to reach. The appearance is very professional considering the entire project took less than an hour and cost $25. I'll have to wait and see whether it gets in my passenger's way.
I hope somebody else finds this post useful.
06-19-2013, 10:10 AM
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2003 SL55 AMG
I did look at some window-mounted phone holders similar to GripGo, but I wanted to position the phone down low because I find it easier to reach.
There's also a system by Kuda that clips to the side of the center console. It looks really nice - almost OEM. But it's expensive, and it might block the dash cupholder. www.kudausa.com
One potential problem with my seat-mounted phone holder: if I move the seat all the way forward, the phone could potentially touch the dash or console.
There's also a system by Kuda that clips to the side of the center console. It looks really nice - almost OEM. But it's expensive, and it might block the dash cupholder. www.kudausa.com
One potential problem with my seat-mounted phone holder: if I move the seat all the way forward, the phone could potentially touch the dash or console.
