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Smartphone Holder Mounted In Ashtray Aperture


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#1 beardylondon

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Posted 24 November 2020 - 06:04 PM

So this all started as I have this MPOW phone holder in my daily driver, which I really like, any phone just drops in and out, zero effort.

https://www.amazon.c...uct/B07Q9Q4RHQ/


Obviously as there isn’t anywhere to mount it in a 1990 Mini, I got thinking of how to utilise the ashtray aperture. I searched and searched but couldn’t find what I was looking for, but then came across this blanking plate on ebay.


https://www.ebay.co....k/114479410478?


So I ordered one and then my Dad helped me come up with a way to mount the MPOW into the blanking plate. It did come with a rubber O ring, but it was obviously not designed for what I wanted to use the plate for.


We drilled a 20mm hole in the middle for rubber vent mount to sit in and used a steel pin to lock it in place. Then made counter sunk holes for 2 x M5 bolts, had to fill with a dab of glue, as the 3D print was hollow in places. Then fabricated the little U shaped clamps. We thought about using similar tabs like the ashtray, but there is very little material top and bottom, and so decided that side clamps would be more robust. Please note the brass nut is just there for photography purposes and isn't used in the mounting.


It all works surprisingly well and takes the weight of a smartphone with no issues, so far!



Phone-holder.png


UPDATE: I’ve been in touch with Sam Aka “Chillibong”, and notified him of what I’ve been up to, and per his post below he is up for 3D printing bespoke versions and I recommended that the holes for the M5 bolts are reinforced, in any new printed versions.

Edited by beardylondon, 24 November 2020 - 11:31 PM.


#2 surfblue

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Posted 24 November 2020 - 06:31 PM

Very neat and practical  :D



#3 Chillibong

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Posted 24 November 2020 - 07:39 PM

Awesome work! Nice to see my blanking plate in there. If anyone's interested in building one i could print one with reinforced holes

#4 JXC Mini GT

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Posted 24 November 2020 - 08:03 PM

Awesome work! Nice to see my blanking plate in there. If anyone's interested in building one i could print one with reinforced holes

Just purchased one of your blanking plates in order to fit my push button start in it.



#5 MaximMini

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Posted 25 November 2020 - 06:23 AM

Hi beardylondon,

Good to see another solution similar to mine http://www.theminifo...-spi/?p=3672463

#6 Chillibong

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Posted 25 November 2020 - 10:08 AM

 

Awesome work! Nice to see my blanking plate in there. If anyone's interested in building one i could print one with reinforced holes

Just purchased one of your blanking plates in order to fit my push button start in it.

 

Hi John, I've got your order, what i've done is ive printed it with more infill so when you drill it out for the button start it'll be stronger than the usual blank. With them being 3d printed they are slightly hollow, but like beardy did a little bit of glue or epoxy should reinforce it! 

 

Cheers

Sam



#7 beardylondon

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Posted 25 November 2020 - 10:27 AM

Interesting, I missed this post!

Is yours only secured to the plastic removable part of the upper dash pad, as it doesn’t look like it’s connected to the metal of the cars body?

Hi beardylondon,

Good to see another solution similar to mine http://www.theminifo...-spi/?p=3672463



#8 JXC Mini GT

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Posted 25 November 2020 - 11:51 AM

 

 

Awesome work! Nice to see my blanking plate in there. If anyone's interested in building one i could print one with reinforced holes

Just purchased one of your blanking plates in order to fit my push button start in it.

 

Hi John, I've got your order, what i've done is ive printed it with more infill so when you drill it out for the button start it'll be stronger than the usual blank. With them being 3d printed they are slightly hollow, but like beardy did a little bit of glue or epoxy should reinforce it! 

 

Cheers

Sam

 

Thanks Sam, that's great.

 

Cheers

John



#9 MaximMini

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Posted 26 November 2020 - 08:21 AM

Hi beardylondon,

The 3D printed part is pushed in the recess in the padding while the two aluminium brackets hold it against the metal 'inlay' of the upper dash. I hope that this makes sense. This first try does not allow assembly without being able to align the brackets from behind which is why I'm currently thinking about an alternative.

#10 markking

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 02:05 AM

Is there an option for the top ashtray hole, on an older mini without a top dash rail pad.

Cheers.

#11 IronmanG

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 06:00 AM

Retro components do 1

#12 humph

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 05:20 PM

Is there an option for the top ashtray hole, on an older mini without a top dash rail pad.

Cheers.

As Ironman says retrocomponents do one. Just fitted one to my Elf and it’s spot on with a usb charger built in.



#13 markking

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Posted 13 May 2022 - 03:57 AM

Awesome. I’ll have a google right now. Thanks as always.

#14 markking

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Posted 13 May 2022 - 04:02 AM

Double post, please delete.

Edited by markking, 13 May 2022 - 04:04 AM.





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