OEM Qi charger retrofit

[robb1887]

This thread is the epitome of 1st world problems.

I recently added a AAwireless dongle to my 2018 SQ5 Prestige to allow Android Auto to work wirelessly which is working awesome for around town. However, on longer road trips I'd like to be able to drop my phone and have it charge also wirelessly as AA burns battery up pretty quickly.

I'm wondering if Audi has them prewired for an easier retrofit unit to go in that has the phone charger/booster and if its as simple as plugging it in and changing some coding with the OBDeleven/VCDS.

Anyone had their center console out far enough to see if a purple plug is in that area loose that matches the green one already in place other than color? That's the only difference I can see in the USB only to USB and phone charging units on eBay.

Worse case I just got a unit I can't use, best case I have an OEM Qi charger and phone booster, happy middle ground is an OEM Qi charger.

P.S. Yes I'm aware of the Amazon $70 tray that goes on top of the mostly useless slider tray to "add" Qi charging to the current setup but I don't like how they look so I'm going for it.

P.S.S. Anyone have a DIY link to disassembling the center console?

Update-
Photos for reference (courtesy of the internet):
Regular slider tray and USB connections and mounting tabs:



Qi slider plugs and mounting:

[passpanda]

Can't really answer your questions, but if you shoot me a pm and I can send you the service manual pages covering the removal of the center console. From what I'm seeing at a glance, you should be able to go in through the back of the console to see what you're looking for.

[VERJ]

excited to see the results, I was just wondering about doing this conversion yesterday to get wireless charging in the tray instead of having the wire hanging out under the arm rest

[rdgrimes]

You really shouldn't bother with this, as it works poorly when it works at all. OEM uses a low power charger so at best you might be able to maintain a battery level when the phone is on. As you drive, the phone moves around and charging can just stop. Mine will sometimes lose battery level while driving, and the thing gets really hot. Do yourself a favor and just plug it in for charging.

[Glacier_S4]

Which wireless dongle are you using? Would like to do the same but for Apple Car Play

[VERJ]

You really shouldn't bother with this, as it works poorly when it works at all. OEM uses a low power charger so at best you might be able to maintain a battery level when the phone is on. As you drive, the phone moves around and charging can just stop. Mine will sometimes lose battery level while driving, and the thing gets really hot. Do yourself a favor and just plug it in for charging.

i guess in theory things work better than real world. thanks for the input

[Hostile]

You really shouldn't bother with this, as it works poorly when it works at all. OEM uses a low power charger so at best you might be able to maintain a battery level when the phone is on. As you drive, the phone moves around and charging can just stop. Mine will sometimes lose battery level while driving, and the thing gets really hot. Do yourself a favor and just plug it in for charging.

Yea, I have the OE charging pad and never use it with CarPlay. I just keep my phone plugged in.

My wife will occasionally use the charging pad for her phone (iPhone 12) but the phone gets really hot and it's also really sensitive to the phone's position on the charging pad whether it even works or not.

[rdgrimes]

^^^
That's the best take on the charging pad- "for occasional use only".
The "Phone Box" is also supposed to boost your phone's reception. I haven't seen any evidence that it does that or not.

[robb1887]

Well the ship has sailed at a minimum for sourcing the part. We'll see what comes in and how it works before ripping my console apart to see how it shapes up.

Maybe I'll take it apart to try and improve it before installing it.

[robb1887]

Which wireless dongle are you using? Would like to do the same but for Apple Car Play

My dongle is the AAwireless from indiegogo.

I do not recall if they do Carplay, but I believe there are dongles out there that do. I am an Android user so I've never shopped for Carplay products other than what comes up when I searched for AA options.

[robb1887]

Based on everyone's feedback on the level of suck the factory Qi had... I took a hard left and this is the first proto to fit a Pixel 6 with a "camera block" relief to maximize Apple magsafe charger contact.

I expect to "splice" into the rear 12V socket for powering it.

I need to find someone with a magsafe equipped iPhone to make mods for an Iphone version if there is interest.



A few tweaks, and another print or two and I expect to maybe flock the final version for a finished look

[NaterTots]

That looks really interesting. I tried my wife's P6 on my qi charger last week and it wasn't very good.

I hope that works.

[NPuter]

Based on everyone's feedback on the level of suck the factory Qi had... I took a hard left and this is the first proto to fit a Pixel 6 with a "camera block" relief to maximize Apple magsafe charger contact.

I expect to "splice" into the rear 12V socket for powering it.

I need to find someone with a magsafe equipped iPhone to make mods for an Iphone version if there is interest.


A few tweaks, and another print or two and I expect to maybe flock the final version for a finished look

Definitely interested! Was pretty surprised by how poorly the oem one works with my P6 pro

[robb1887]

That looks really interesting. I tried my wife's P6 on my qi charger last week and it wasn't very good.

I hope that works.

Definitely interested! Was pretty surprised by how poorly the oem one works with my P6 pro

Out of curiosity could you guys download the Ampere, or something like that, App and see what the factory Qi charging amps measure at?

[NaterTots]

Out of curiosity could you guys download the Ampere, or something like that, App and see what the factory Qi charging amps measure at?

I was able to get her phone onto the charging pad briefly today. Without a case on her P6 the app was showing anywhere from 25ma to 450. It was constantly jumping around.

[NaterTots]

I have now had my Pixel P7 onto the charging pad.

It was charging around 400-500 ma. That was with a case on it. It seems to get a better connection than the P6 did.

I'm also using the AA wireless dongle, it's now on Amazon, and I love it. Picked up a magsafe charger for my work van to use with the P7.

[robb1887]

I haven't gotten a second proto back from by buddy yet

Does the P7 have the "magsafe" integrated into it?

[NaterTots]

The P7 doesn't have integrated magsafe.
I added a ring to the back of my case.

Still look forward to see how you proto fits.
I do seem to be able to get a consistent charge on the stock pad with the P7 even with the ring on the back. But the magsafe is just so slick in how it works.

[robb1887]

A year and a half later, I have my own 3D printers, a 3D scanner, and a small business (mostly for my Mcoupe and parts I make for it); however I've taken this project back up and will be getting at least my Pixel 8 Pro fitted. I still need to come up with a solution for the charge port tie in, but I suspect the rear cigarette lighter will be tapped for a power/ground feed.

Once I get things finalized I'll have it added to my website for orders if anyone wants one.



The blue is just freebie PLA I have for dialing in the models. Plans are to have it finalized in PETG (black). I haven't decided if I plan to flock it, or just high build primer and paint it.

[cmil527]

Very cool... nice work!

[chrisdazzo]

Super cool, following. My current setup is a little janky, but extremely similar.