Simple Dual Wireless Qi Charger for Tesla Model 3

thingiverse

One thing that's missing from the Tesla Model 3 is a built-in Wireless charger. Many aftermarket options exist, but some require running wires behind trim and modifying parts of the car. I bought several QI Wireless charger pads to try on this project and many didn't work due to limited power in the Model 3's USB ports. The Energy Pad https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075Q97P9T/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 seemed to work with no modification using the Model 3 ports. I tested it on a Galaxy Note 5 and a Galaxy S8, both of which worked very well. Since I'd determined the wireless part to use, I tried tape and other suggestions but didn't like any solutions, so I made a simple pad or spacer with holes, wire cutouts on the back, and round pegs to hold it in place. This could be made from PLA or another material, but I chose TPU. It was near my printer's limit, and TPU prints slowly, so it took a while, but other than areas where I'd had feed problems, it turned out almost perfect. The pads fit nicely in the holes to bring everything up to the same level, and the wire is hidden on the back side. Tape can be used to hold the pads in place during installation if they're loose, but mine fit snugly enough to stay put while I slid them into place. I didn't worry about appearance since I had a thin mat from a home store that I'd use as a cushion and prevent items from sliding around. This mat was cut to size and hid any imperfections in the print. The Dual pad holes are slightly offset to the center and set at an optimal height for the galaxy phones. I hope this would be true for other devices too. I've been using it for a week now, and it works great. Reviews on the Energy Pad chargers haven't been great, but so far, they've worked fine for me. The total project cost was less than $50, making it the only vehicle I have with a built-in wireless charger. It's nice to just set my phone down when I get in and not worry about plugging it in.