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Dejh0n

E46 iPhone Ashtray Holder / Charger

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Hey Guys,

I'm wondering if anyone here would be interested in buying an iPhone holder / charger for an iPhone 5, 5c or 5s that takes the place of your existing ashtray in your E46.

I've done this for myself and was going to 3D print it. The holder also has a slot on the inside where your genuine apple lightning connector slides into and holds its place firmly.

Just trying to gauge interest at this point: I would be able to adapt it for other smartphones too if there is enough demand for it.

PIC:

QaCFktd.png

Let me know what you guys think / if you are interested

Cheers,

Deon

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I would buy one for a samsung

you will probably have to be a little more specific what model............

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you will probably have to be a little more specific what model............

They all take the same mirco USB charger so wont matter. Assuming it has been made after 2006

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I would buy one for a samsung

you will probably have to be a little more specific what model............

Yes, a bit more specific would be handy as I have theoretically planned for it to be quite a tight fit so the phone does not move around and fall out through any 'spirited' driving.

powered via the cig lighter?

Could be powered however you choose. At the moment it is designed so that your USB cable comes out through the bottom so you can plug the other end into whatever power source you choose..

So if you have a head deck with usb in the back it could be plugged into there or whatever you like - it also has the ability to have a 'loose' 3.5mm cable in the bottom as well if you are currently using the factory AUX in.

Looks and sounds great, I'd be keen for one.

What kind of price point? How similar finish can you get to the current finish on the 46's?

At the moment I'm not sure - I could do different price points depending on how you'd like it finished. Eg. If you wanted it as cheap as possible I could just give it to you as the plain 3D printed piece or it could be more expensive if you wanted / needed me to bog, sand, bog, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint (you get the idea).

At this stage I do not have myself one yet (waiting on a friend to fix his 3D printer and print it for me) but I did industrial design at uni and was top in the class at model making so can do a great finish if need be. Anyone have any ideas on what I could use to get the same finish as the factory ashtray plastic?

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Also the price might be better if we could convince Ollie to print them at work for us..

In regards to micro usb chords I would need to settle on one cable so i can design the holes and fitting for that exact cable. Once I get mine 3D printed I can show you exactly why this is important

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Okay, so I finally got my first print monday this week, found some areas that needed modification and pretty much redid the whole model because of .8mm clearances etc etc.

Now I have had my updated model printed and have just installed it in my car with the dedicated USB charger hidden underneath. PICS!!

9T6Y3tS.jpg

JOXbA4I.jpg

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SsvZyVu.jpg

cW7IhKo.jpg

bgi8PO8.jpg

tp35XLN.jpg

Don't ask about the colour, thats the best choice of what they had left! :wacko: I will be able to print it any standard colour, e.g. black

This dock is designed for an iPhone 5 & 5s, it may work with the 5c but I haven't been able to test it.

As you can see, the standard Apple lightning connector is physically designed to work with this dock, so just reuse the one your phone came with!

Let me know what you guys think / if you'd like a different model phone printed.

(I will be updating this for the 6 & 6+ if you are going to update)

Cheers,

Dejh0n

Edited by Dejh0n
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Theres a interior dye if you can't get it close enough to bmw factory colour, its Duplicolour Satin Black Fabric/Vinyl dye, product is amazing!

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Looks pretty good!

How is the charger connected?

Why is there a curve in the front? EDIT: oh the curve is 'down' to reveal the button?

How much we looking at?

Edited by Nick G

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Looks pretty good!

Thanks!

How is the charger connected?

I took apart a cigarette charger and soldered wires onto it and on the other end I crimped on 2 push-on terminals, cut their ends in half and bent it 90 degrees and pushed them onto the connectors on the back of the actual cigarette socket. Then I put the factory terminals over them.

Why is there a curve in the front? EDIT: oh the curve is 'down' to reveal the button?

Yup, you've got it. It's to be able to push the home button: thought that may come in handy for someone at some point.

How much we looking at?

I was thinking $59 for the printed piece just like in my photo. But you could choose a colour (there would be very minor touch ups / cleaning up of the model.

Or $89 for me to sand, paint and finish the top surface

These prices aren't set in stone and may vary..

Edited by Dejh0n

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Theres a interior dye if you can't get it close enough to bmw factory colour, its Duplicolour Satin Black Fabric/Vinyl dye, product is amazing!

How would you apply the dye to this plastic material?

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Also - how does the charger plug stay seated? (i.e. if you push you phone in/down how does it not get pushed down too?)

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Also - how does the charger plug stay seated? (i.e. if you push you phone in/down how does it not get pushed down too?)

That's part of the design ;) it physically cannot go further down

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I thought that was a pretty price seeing as spec.dock is $159 NZD + shipping : http://specdock.com/car/make/bmw/3-series/1999-2005/bmw-3-series-1999-2005-iphone-and-iphone-dock-116.html

Even with having to buy yourself another lightning cable for $20 at $139 it's still pretty good

The finished finish would be a sanded and 3 coat colour painted finish. I could do matte, satin or gloss finish in black or matched to the silver trim - your choice

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The company I used to get my one in the pictures printed told me last week they are expecting stock of black in 3 weeks..

Edited by Dejh0n

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Alrighty,

Good news! The company has got black into stock and I have just got one printed in black. I reckon it looks pretty good as it is (but I do like the look of a 3D print)

JPo6etB.jpg

Obviously, if you prefer a more finalised / factory finished look I could sand, bog and paint it for you.

I will be making an iPhone 6 and 6+ version if you have or are getting one of those.

Let me know which one you're after,

D

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I'll bite! $60 right?

Have you got one for an iPhone 6? :)

Finished product looks amazing in black by the way!

Sorry, didn't see this post!

Yeah, you've got it. $60 for a straight 3D printed piece that you can pick up from me.

I will try and finish my iPhone 6 3D model this weekend (maybe even a 6+ one too!)

PM me your details and I will talk to you about the finer details

D

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I received mine, painted/finished.

Works and looks good!

will post pics soon...

Thanks Deon

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Would it be possible to add a 3.5 mm audio jack into the standard iphone 6 design ?

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Would it be possible to add a 3.5 mm audio jack into the standard iphone 6 design ?

It would be possible.

As it stands now, you can actually have an audio cable stick into the iPhone as it would go up through the dock. As long as the connector surround of the 3.5mm cable isn't bigger than the apple lightning cable connector: you would just have to plug it in every time you wanted to use it.

If you wanted me to be able to incorporate and seated, more permanent / fixed connector then I would need to decide on a standard 3.5mm connector that fits those requirements and that it relatively accessible to most people. Eg. at Harvey Norman / Noel Leeming

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