Converting to wireless phone charging

[sapphireblack]

Having watched a YouTube tutorial on this subject i wondered whether anyone here has done this on an E70/71

The clip i watched related to an E60 but having dug around a bit, it looks to be a fiddly but straightforward procedure., just two plugs.

Part number 84106840126 is a straight swap for the plug in type cradle, but there are it seems to be several versions

The source of inspiration is https://youtu.be/6s83Tcbk87s?si=xHUJCMR4r1gkXLEK

[X5Sport]

Not personally, and it won’t fit my iPhone 12 Pro Max. Had it in my 2018 2-series and couldn’t’ use it at all for that reason - phone too big. My i4 has the latest version (much larger) but that fits as a tray in the front roughly where the ash tray would be. It gets hot! More so if CarPlay (or the Android equivalent) are also in use.

The part is for 2014 to 2021 cars. Interesting project though. I just use a USB A to Lightning lead for our phones. The charging cradle in my X6 worked up to the iPhone 4 but after that the phones got a bit bigger and I never bothered changing the cradle.

[sapphireblack]

I love YouTube diyers who can be the most ridiculous ham-fisted people. In this tutorial the route is sound, expedition not so much, but i have learned from it, the E60 conversion connections were different altogether in the rear of the centre console.

There is is a discrepancy with the part number identified in the first YT link, i think it has been superseded. I have asked BMW to clarify. TBH i have a flat charging mat in the front centre console that does the job perfectly well, but if i can fully integrate wireless charging in the original armrest cubby box, i would like to. My old Touareg i enjoyed tinkering with but is lost to me now. Time to step up and embrace the challenges offered by an E71

https://youtu.be/0x4rBdxIKGk?si=FQzN4NLbxpc3_nW0

[sapphireblack]

So, I've taken a punt and ordered this wireless gizmo.

Screenshot_20241201_120709_eBay.jpg (142.22 KiB) Viewed 13742 times

Fitting is detailed in the YT link above but when the weather will permit me to do it dont know, it could become a long term project

[sapphireblack]

While i wait for the weather to become conducive to outdoors car tinkering, i quickly established my Samsung S9 in a Qi compatible case is a gnats larger than the slide space BMW offer.

So, I've ordered one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165551694964 ... media=COPY

Ultimately, if the charger doesn't connect with the car, which i believe it will, I'll be listing items on eBay soon

[sapphireblack]

Finally the weather improvement inspired me to venture outdoors to car tinker. I can't beleive I've to had to wait so long to fit the wireless phone charger i bought last year. No wip pictures im afraid, i was too absorbed with the task so there is only one end result image. The blue LED '"charging on" is illuminated but a phone camera doesnt pick it up. I was concerned the pronounced bump with the LED might foul but thankfully it doesn't.

Hardest parts were ultimately refitting the carpeted side trims to the centre console. Comfort seats are a bit wider than the Sport models, and whilst sliding them out was easy enough getting the rear section past the seat to refit was a pits. Seat moved backwards and forwards numerous time to manipulate it into position. The front section is easy in comparison. I was surprised to discover despite only one previous owner who wasnt the type to 'tinker', someone had been into this area previously, the torx head screws had evidence of tool marks.

By far the worst aspect of this was the original cradle. Once completely removed, this can be split to open but has like a false bottom to conceal the wiring. I had to resort to Dremmel cutting channels into it to feed the wiring out then back in with the new. That work doesn't look pretty but is all concealed underneath the wireless cradle. One minor mishap with the Dremmel which the eagle eyed may spot, but once done, i couldn't undo it.

[X5Sport]

Nicely done. Can’t do that with mine as the phone itself is too damned long (iPhone pro max).

The one thing (allegedly) to keep an eye on is how hot the phone gets. This is an issue reported with later cars (including my i4) where the phone cubby that is ahead of where the gearshift would be (roughly where an ashtray would be) is known as ‘The Oven’. Inductive charging tends to be inefficient and can cause heating. With the i4 I have to keep the cubby open.

[sapphireblack]

I'm aware of the heat generated by wireless charging, i have a domestic twin charging pad, and when lifting the phones off they are often quite warm.

In the car i had a flat charging pad connected via a QC3 adaptor in the 12v socket. It worked extremely well but compromised the centre console top, and whilst quite neat still looked untidy. When i realised a factory retrofit was possible, it became a desire, which is now completed.
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