DIY: iPhone/iPod Charger Mount
 

Hey guys, I hope this is of benefit to someone. I put in an XCarLink a while back so I have Bluetooth audio from my iPhone. Next I wanted a clean charging mount. I picked up a Kensington mount and had it plugged in to the normal cig lighter but I hate having the ashtray open. This is not an FM Transmitter mount, just a charger. I decided to install a new accessory outlet on the passenger side of the center console.

I picked up a spare accessory outlet, like the one in the rear center console, from my local Mazda dealer for $20 and change out the door. There is a very small area where the backside of the outlet will fit inside the console so I just held it in place and eye-balled it. Using a step drill I drilled a 1-1/8" hole in the black plastic side panel and with a file I notched out the slot that keeps it from rotating.

I got the step drill and file (both came as part of a set) from Harbor Freight Tools. It was less than $19 out the door. Now the accessory outlet has a slightly different plug than the cig lighter socket, I think because of the different amperage rating. So I swapped the cig lighter plug, peeled back some of the harness wrap and plugged it right in. The accessory outlet is now in the place of the cig lighter and un-powered but I never use it anyway, so no big deal for me.

Pictures attached. There isn't much to this but if anyone wants more details please let me know...

I kinda like this. Looks almost like it could be OEM.

Thanks! The one gotcha that I ran into was the limited space behind that panel. I drilled just a tad low so the part of the outlet that extends behind the panel is actually being pushed up slightly by the center console frame. It still works, just tweaked slightly, which caused a slight alingment issue. Notice in the 3'rd photo that the panel next to the ashtray doesn't quite line up with the panel above. Worst case I just buy a replacement of that small panel and try again... But for now I am fine with it...

Interesting.... I like!
Good job! :biggthump

looks good. but i would have just hard wired it in instead of putting the accessory plug so somebody in the passenger seat doesn't kick and break it... but i am paranoid about stuff like that.

I agree with passengers might kick and break it. But otherwise it's Great!!! I am in the planning stage of mounting Iphone and Garmin Nuvi unit mounts on the car. I live in San Jose CA does anyone here know a good Audio/electric/Technical person whom I can pay to have the car modified? Please let me know if you know anyone.

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