Phone Charging (preferably inconspicuous)

Alec Jones · Jun 13th, 2024, 16:03

I knew what I was getting into when I was buying a car from 2006.... and the "infotainment" is somewhat lacking by today's standards. I have already bought a bluetooth unit that fits behind the head unit (as recommended from a thread on this forum) but I'd also like a way to charge a phone.

I've already got a usb unit that plugs into the 12V socket but this is ugly and means having cables strewn about the place which I hate. I'm thinking to try and mount a usb c socket under the drivers armrest that taps into the passenger 12V socket. My car has the retro car phone though so there's not as much space in there as there normally would be. I'd also quite like if the charging supply was with the apply magsafe pad thing, and it would also be great if this was somehow in a position that would allow you to look at the map whilst driving....

So somewhat conflicting desired end results, but whichever direction I go I want to end up with something that looks as tidy as possible. Has anyone done something for this that they're willing to share photos of so I can kick some ideas around?....

stuart bowes · Jun 13th, 2024, 16:16

Is the retro phone thing removable, even if you just take it out and store it safe for resale value if you sell the car to someone and they want it for some reason? presumably you dont actually use it

I just put in a double din touchscreen which solves the android auto maps issue although to be fair it would be better it was higher up less out of eye-line from the road..

my cable runs within the centre console and comes out in the box under the armrest which connects the maps etc and also charges the phone of course

I put a USB charge point flush on the dash next to the new head unit, and replaced the ciggy lighter in the back of the armrest with twin USB for the kids switches/tablets

A charging pad would be nice but where would it go that wouldn't have the phone just sliding off everytime you go around a corner, there isn't really a recessed place to keep it is there other than under the arm rest in which case why not just plug it in

SurfyDave · Jun 13th, 2024, 16:28

So this is my current set up

Head Unit is a HU850 which i have a Bluemiusic connected to the CD Changer port giving me handsfree and Bluetooth, then have a standard cigarette plug usb charger plugged in a removed the head unit (whilst installing Bluemusic and ran usb cable behind the fascia to connect to a Journey Magsafe car Charger (probably one of the best accessories I have bought to be honest)

https://journeyofficial.co.uk/collec...fe-car-charger

i am going to upgrade the cigarette plug to usb fast charge version and change the cable to match.. this leaves me a free usb port for passenger to use and then put my phone in view for sat nav etc

marcb · Jun 13th, 2024, 17:25

Can't you use the 12V socket for the rear passengers or the one in the rear cargo bay if you have a V70 (both of these are in our V70).
I hate the charger wire up front too so I use one of the above.

Jun 13th, 2024, 16:03	#1
Alec Jones New Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:29 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Reading	Phone Charging (preferably inconspicuous) I knew what I was getting into when I was buying a car from 2006.... and the "infotainment" is somewhat lacking by today's standards. I have already bought a bluetooth unit that fits behind the head unit (as recommended from a thread on this forum) but I'd also like a way to charge a phone. I've already got a usb unit that plugs into the 12V socket but this is ugly and means having cables strewn about the place which I hate. I'm thinking to try and mount a usb c socket under the drivers armrest that taps into the passenger 12V socket. My car has the retro car phone though so there's not as much space in there as there normally would be. I'd also quite like if the charging supply was with the apply magsafe pad thing, and it would also be great if this was somehow in a position that would allow you to look at the map whilst driving.... So somewhat conflicting desired end results, but whichever direction I go I want to end up with something that looks as tidy as possible. Has anyone done something for this that they're willing to share photos of so I can kick some ideas around?....

Jun 13th, 2024, 16:16	#2
stuart bowes trying to be helpful Last Online: Today 10:06 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Dagenham	Is the retro phone thing removable, even if you just take it out and store it safe for resale value if you sell the car to someone and they want it for some reason? presumably you dont actually use it I just put in a double din touchscreen which solves the android auto maps issue although to be fair it would be better it was higher up less out of eye-line from the road.. my cable runs within the centre console and comes out in the box under the armrest which connects the maps etc and also charges the phone of course I put a USB charge point flush on the dash next to the new head unit, and replaced the ciggy lighter in the back of the armrest with twin USB for the kids switches/tablets A charging pad would be nice but where would it go that wouldn't have the phone just sliding off everytime you go around a corner, there isn't really a recessed place to keep it is there other than under the arm rest in which case why not just plug it in __________________ V70 '01 auto petrol 2.4 (140) 72k ------------------------- mini project - link Last edited by stuart bowes; Jun 13th, 2024 at 16:19.

Jun 13th, 2024, 17:25	#4
marcb Master Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2024 17:26 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London	Can't you use the 12V socket for the rear passengers or the one in the rear cargo bay if you have a V70 (both of these are in our V70). I hate the charger wire up front too so I use one of the above.

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