Fast Wireless Charging Mod For X-Grip Cell Phone Mount

[Ride On]

Ram offers a nice wireless cell phone charging mount for sale but I kinda choked on their $200 price tag.  Besides, I already had an older X-Grip that I had been using for the last couple years and though maybe I could convert mine instead.  So I did.  For less than $30.

It was pretty easy.  I first removed the Ram emblem (sticker) from the center of the X-Grip.  I then siliconed a fast wireless charging pad in its place.  The one I used was 5mm thin pad so it didn't interfere with the X-Grip's holding ability, even when using a waterproof cell phone case.

Finally I used a compatable "fast" wireless charging plug to insert into the cigarette lighter.

I used Yamabond to seal the USB connections for a water proof fit.  I also used Yamabond to seal the top of the wireless charger's bezel to make sure that it's case is water tight.

3,900 miles later, and a trip half way across the country and back, I can report that this mod worked great!  I used Google Maps the entire time on full brightness and my phone (SGS9+) still received a wireless quick charge through a water proof case.

I will note that I've seen some reports of cell phones being damaged by vibration (or rain/water damage?) from being mounted on the handlebars but that has not been my experience with my Galaxy S9+.  14,000+ miles (with and without a water proof case) and it still works like new. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FM8R7J1?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08CBFD5ZV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Ride On

[BBB]

Great idea (and nice reflection of you taking the picture).

[Wintersdark]

Hah!  You did a much nicer version of this   You're right, though, the $200 price tag on the wireless charging x-grip is just appalling.  Particularly when you've already got an X-Grip!

 

I just dropped $5 on ebay on the guts of one of these, covered it with epoxy and put it there:

Stuffed the circuit board (takes USB in, has two wires out that go to the coil) in the "console" area under the windscreen, and ran a wire with barrel plug to the X-Grip so it can be detached easily.  

 

Your solution is much nicer

 

Edit: and yeah, there are a couple specific phones - iphones in particular? - that apparently can be damaged just by being there.  I've personally never had a problem with it, and have used: Galaxy Note, LG G3, Google Nexus, S8+, and S10+ all extensively.  The S8+ died due to falling off this very X-Grip at 180kph, though, which is why the feet are gorrilla glued in place now and the rubber retainer net is in place now 😃 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Wintersdark

[Ride On]

3 hours ago, Wintersdark said:

Hah!  You did a much nicer version of this   You're right, though, the $200 price tag on the wireless charging x-grip is just appalling.  Particularly when you've already got an X-Grip!

 

I just dropped $5 on ebay on the guts of one of these, covered it with epoxy and put it there:

Stuffed the circuit board (takes USB in, has two wires out that go to the coil) in the "console" area under the windscreen, and ran a wire with barrel plug to the X-Grip so it can be detached easily.  

 

Your solution is much nicer

 

Edit: and yeah, there are a couple specific phones - iphones in particular? - that apparently can be damaged just by being there.  I've personally never had a problem with it, and have used: Galaxy Note, LG G3, Google Nexus, S8+, and S10+ all extensively.  The S8+ died due to falling off this very X-Grip at 180kph, though, which is why the feet are gorrilla glued in place now and the rubber retainer net is in place now 😃 

$5.  Nice!  Sure beats $200.

[Wintersdark]

18 hours ago, Ride On said:

$5.  Nice!  Sure beats $200.

Yeah; and I've actually got another 2 of the units (it was $5 for 3).  Still, yours is so much prettier, I may just grab one of those chargers instead.  I was concerned about the thickness when I was doing mine (the coil is like 3mm thick with the epoxy and backing plate, essentially exactly the same as the old rubbery RAM sticker was) but yours definitely looks like it's still gonna grip well.  That was a great find; I'm ordering one now.  

I will say, however one accomplishes it, having a wireless charger on your phone mount is a killer upgrade.  Plugging in your phone is a PITA and makes removing it (say, to take pictures) and put it back that much more of a hassle, and my experience has always been frequent plug swapping tends to wear out the charging ports until you need to prop up cables to get a good connection (which obviously is very difficult on a handlebar mount).  I'm much happier when travelling just *knowing* my phone is always fully charged.  Too many times I've had problems happen just when my battery is near dead.