2014 R5 Mods
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fourmasons
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 23
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- Location: St John’s River, Florida
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2014 R5 Mods
A couple of phone charging mods Monday. Similar to BruceB58 Mods, though I did use a different USB charger.
First I replaced the lighter socket in the port side compartment with a Yonhan Quick Charge 3.0 Dual USB. On/off switch, Blue LED, Voltmeter.
Easy swap through the head compartment fan/light panel by removing two capped screws. Used the existing wiring.
Next I added the Scanstrut SC-CW-04E Rokk Wireless Active Phone Charger. My 2014 R5 helm station has a slightly different setup on the starboard side bulkhead than Bruce’s 2017 R5. Also, I’m not a big fan of drilling into a difficult to replace/repair area until positive it will work. I was planning to tape the Charger to the dash just to see how well it would fit. My lovely wife had a great suggestion.
Command Strips! Plan B it is.
I used four large Command Strips, two on each side vertically, and routed the power cable alongside in a slot leading under and behind the dash. Completed the connection to the lighter socket, works like a champ and it’s in a great location. Easy to see and use, and clears the throttle just fine. It’s very sturdy and stable. Not sure how it will hold up long term in the St Johns River chop, Florida heat and humidity, etc.
If nothing else, I get to try out this setup. If it’s not successful long term I already have the perfect template ready to go.
Thanks for the great ideas Bruce!
First I replaced the lighter socket in the port side compartment with a Yonhan Quick Charge 3.0 Dual USB. On/off switch, Blue LED, Voltmeter.
Easy swap through the head compartment fan/light panel by removing two capped screws. Used the existing wiring.
Next I added the Scanstrut SC-CW-04E Rokk Wireless Active Phone Charger. My 2014 R5 helm station has a slightly different setup on the starboard side bulkhead than Bruce’s 2017 R5. Also, I’m not a big fan of drilling into a difficult to replace/repair area until positive it will work. I was planning to tape the Charger to the dash just to see how well it would fit. My lovely wife had a great suggestion.
Command Strips! Plan B it is.
I used four large Command Strips, two on each side vertically, and routed the power cable alongside in a slot leading under and behind the dash. Completed the connection to the lighter socket, works like a champ and it’s in a great location. Easy to see and use, and clears the throttle just fine. It’s very sturdy and stable. Not sure how it will hold up long term in the St Johns River chop, Florida heat and humidity, etc.
If nothing else, I get to try out this setup. If it’s not successful long term I already have the perfect template ready to go.
Thanks for the great ideas Bruce!
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2014 Cobalt R5 380VP
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
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fourmasons
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- Posts: 23
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
A few more pics. Tablet was giving me a hard time uploading.
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2014 Cobalt R5 380VP
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
- Big Block Power
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Nice job
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
- AsLan7
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
.
Yes real clean install FM. Nice documenting that too.
Yes real clean install FM. Nice documenting that too.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Looks good.
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Nice job fourmasons! I purchased the same wireless charger to install on my 2018 R5.
Questions for you and Bruce.
Did you just splice into the 12v usb plug on the helm or into a different source? I don’t want to create any electrical demons. Lol
Are you happy with how it holds and charges the phone?
I like the idea of a semi permanent mount like the 3m strips or two sided emblem tape but it seems to take a little force to open it up to place the phone in it. I’m not opposed to permanently mounting.
Questions for you and Bruce.
Did you just splice into the 12v usb plug on the helm or into a different source? I don’t want to create any electrical demons. Lol
Are you happy with how it holds and charges the phone?
I like the idea of a semi permanent mount like the 3m strips or two sided emblem tape but it seems to take a little force to open it up to place the phone in it. I’m not opposed to permanently mounting.
2018 R5 350hp Merc
Lake Cumberland KY
Lake Cumberland KY
- Krob1114
- Vice Admiral

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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Just noticed the song in the picture.
"Don't Stop Believin'"
Still don't believe I'm tackling a project that means I"m cutting holes in my boat.
"Don't Stop Believin'"
Still don't believe I'm tackling a project that means I"m cutting holes in my boat.
2019 Cobalt R3 @ Greers Ferry Lake, AR
Home in Hernando, MS
Home in Hernando, MS
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
I just picked up the 12V at the cig lighter on my boat.Kyboater wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 6:24 am Nice job fourmasons! I purchased the same wireless charger to install on my 2018 R5.
Questions for you and Bruce.
Did you just splice into the 12v usb plug on the helm or into a different source? I don’t want to create any electrical demons. Lol
Are you happy with how it holds and charges the phone?
I like the idea of a semi permanent mount like the 3m strips or two sided emblem tape but it seems to take a little force to open it up to place the phone in it. I’m not opposed to permanently mounting.
Just used something like this to double up on the 12v connector in the back.
www.amazon.com/Ancor-230613-Electrical- ... 0408&psc=1
If you don't have that outlet and you have a USB socket with a Deutsch connector, you might just want to make a Y Deutsch connector. I have made up a few of those myself on my boat where I wanted a couple things connected to the same plug.
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
I've lost track of how many holes I have put in my boat since I bought it. A few of them are under the waterline!Krob1114 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 3:07 pm Still don't believe I'm tackling a project that means I"m cutting holes in my boat.
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
- Krob1114
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
It's pretty obvious from my posts that here to learn and wise crack.
It's pretty obvious from your posts that you're hear to teach and help.
2019 Cobalt R3 @ Greers Ferry Lake, AR
Home in Hernando, MS
Home in Hernando, MS
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
The first hole is the worst...easy after that.Krob1114 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:00 pmIt's pretty obvious from my posts that here to learn and wise crack.
It's pretty obvious from your posts that you're hear to teach and help.
Measure twice cut a hole in your boat once
2017 R5 350HP Mercruiser Bravo III
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Northridge, CA
Big Bear Lake, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Thanks for the info. I’ll let you know how it goes. Hopefully I’ll get to install it this weekend.bruceb58 wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:49 pmI just picked up the 12V at the cig lighter on my boat.Kyboater wrote: Sun Jun 06, 2021 6:24 am Nice job fourmasons! I purchased the same wireless charger to install on my 2018 R5.
Questions for you and Bruce.
Did you just splice into the 12v usb plug on the helm or into a different source? I don’t want to create any electrical demons. Lol
Are you happy with how it holds and charges the phone?
I like the idea of a semi permanent mount like the 3m strips or two sided emblem tape but it seems to take a little force to open it up to place the phone in it. I’m not opposed to permanently mounting.
Just used something like this to double up on the 12v connector in the back.
www.amazon.com/Ancor-230613-Electrical- ... 0408&psc=1
If you don't have that outlet and you have a USB socket with a Deutsch connector, you might just want to make a Y Deutsch connector. I have made up a few of those myself on my boat where I wanted a couple things connected to the same plug.
2018 R5 350hp Merc
Lake Cumberland KY
Lake Cumberland KY
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fourmasons
- Lieutenant

- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2020 11:07 pm
- Location: St John’s River, Florida
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
Thanks Kyboater.
The Command Strips have worked great through numerous trips in moderate chop on the river. It’s been very windy the last few weeks.
Still working well and looks like it was designed for that location. My boating buds love it.
I also spliced on to the 12V lighter socket, plenty of cord length for that.
It does take some force to slide the phone in. I try to make sure that I’m also pressing the phone a bit towards the dash during install and removal. It is VERY secure in the charger, no issues at all.
I’m very happy with the location and setup, especially because the phone eats battery with the radio running Bluetooth/Spotify and MyRadar NEXRAD. Phone is securely held and also accessible while at the helm. Problem solved.
I hear ya Krob. I’m also not crazy about cutting holes in my perfectly good boat! I’ll get over it someday…..
The Command Strips have worked great through numerous trips in moderate chop on the river. It’s been very windy the last few weeks.
Still working well and looks like it was designed for that location. My boating buds love it.
I also spliced on to the 12V lighter socket, plenty of cord length for that.
It does take some force to slide the phone in. I try to make sure that I’m also pressing the phone a bit towards the dash during install and removal. It is VERY secure in the charger, no issues at all.
I’m very happy with the location and setup, especially because the phone eats battery with the radio running Bluetooth/Spotify and MyRadar NEXRAD. Phone is securely held and also accessible while at the helm. Problem solved.
I hear ya Krob. I’m also not crazy about cutting holes in my perfectly good boat! I’ll get over it someday…..
2014 Cobalt R5 380VP
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
‘Back in Black’
2002 Cobalt 240 320VP(sold in 2014)
St Johns River
Re: 2014 R5 Mods
I installed the wireless charger this weekend. I ended up using Command strips also. It was an easy install and worked great. Very pleased so far. Thanks for the command strips idea. I meant to take some pics but forgot.
2018 R5 350hp Merc
Lake Cumberland KY
Lake Cumberland KY
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Chasing Rays
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Re: 2014 R5 Mods
I have a 2013 R5 with the same stereo head. I noticed yours says BT Play on the screen? Do you have some sort of bluetooth addition to the head or did it come with it? Mine doesn't seem to have BT connection. Just the hardwired connection on the port side. That connection sucks.
2013 R5 380 HP VP 6.0L
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