Develop Bugs

[Q] Wireless Charging Mod Question

I have been reading some very interesting posts about adding wireless charging capabilities to a Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Although it seems like every mod requires a touchstone coil, which also requires a larger back cover. Browsing ebay I ran across a "patch" of sorts that goes between the case and the battery to add the inductive charging. I was wondering before I buy it and rip apart my beloved phone. Could I just solder the "patch" to the pogo pins on the side of the phone and would it charge? Or am I missing a component? Thanks in advance for any help!
On Ebay it is called "Qi Wireless Charger Charging Pad + Receiver Kit for Samsung Galaxy S4 S IV i9500"
Also this is my first post, so any comments would be helpful too!

Isn't it for the s4? So I assume it doesn't work on the Galaxy Nexus..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium HD app

mrgnex said:
Isn't it for the s4? So I assume it doesn't work on the Galaxy Nexus..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what mods are all about, people have successfully mod the palm touchstone coil into their phone and it works flawlessly.
In theory this would work, but how OP are going to connect it to the pogo pins, that's another problem.
Beamed from my Grouper

Oho Thank you. it very good

Well I was thinking that if you take the phone apart there is a spot where the pogo plugs connect to the circuit board. I thought I could just solder a thin gage wire to the leads, but does that patch have the correct circuits to supply 5v with the right amount of amps?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

mjz2207 said:
Well I was thinking that if you take the phone apart there is a spot where the pogo plugs connect to the circuit board. I thought I could just solder a thin gage wire to the leads, but does that patch have the correct circuits to supply 5v with the right amount of amps?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the specs of the induction charger.
Anyway for the touchstone mod, others used a copper tape instead of a wire.
Beamed from my Maguro.

I have a s3 a couple of the s3 qi cards. I have my gnex as a backup and did the mod myself. If you peal the top label off the card around the pins you'll be able to desolder the s3 connector and solder a couple wires. I used a couple fine wires I removed from a old ide cable. I then used a dremel tool to cut a small rectangle under the battery door and behind the pogo pins to connect the wires. I used a very small cut off wheel, took my time, and cut shallow and never took the phone apart. The pins are easy to solder to and much safer. This did disable my pogo pins, but I have no dock so I don't care. I have the Samsung OEM 2000mah extended battery and back cover. This leaves me a small gap to lay my wires without any battery door bulge. My ditztronic case still fits perfect and the wireless charging works great. Its worth noting that the qi pad will provide around 600ma, which is fine since the dock pins charge in USB mode anyway.
BTW, while I think the safest and easiest way to get to the phone's circuitry is to cut that small hole, you are putting a dremel to your phone so I am in no way responsible if you somehow kill your phone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I got wireless charging on my gnexus
I struggled with this issue for a VERY LONG TIME and I got it down now. I made a video on how I get wireless charging on my G.Nexus easily. I even posted the links to the stuff in the description. The method is universal. I can't post links to outside sources so heres how you get to my video.
In Google search type in : #mynameisterrance. The find my profile on G+ (Terrance Johnson) and go to my Youtube videos.

mynameisterrance said:
I struggled with this issue for a VERY LONG TIME and I got it down now. I made a video on how I get wireless charging on my G.Nexus easily. I even posted the links to the stuff in the description. The method is universal. I can't post links to outside sources so heres how you get to my video.
In Google search type in : #mynameisterrance. The find my profile on G+ (Terrance Johnson) and go to my Youtube videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good, let me check and give and try.

DIY magnetic charger

I made a magnetic charger for the S4 that works really well! It is similar to the setup I had for my HTC Sensation http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1283200. I've had it in two different cars, one of which was a Subaru I used to offroad and never had any problems with it falling off. As far as the parts I used:
Poetic Atmosphere:
http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Atmosphere-Samsung-Manufacturer-Warranty/dp/B00BJS9B98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374642964&sr=8-1&keywords=poetic+s4
3/16 rare earth magnets:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102642
Qi charging receiver (does not make a 'bump' on rear cover):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qi-Wireless-Charger-Charging-Receiver-Module-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S4-S-IV-I9500-/300935863274?pt=US_Cell_Phone_PDA_Chargers&hash=item46112cdbea
LG WCP-700. Good luck finding one. You could sub any charging mat:
http://www.amazon.com/LG-WCP-700-Portable-Office-Charging/dp/B005DMBSVA
GSI Super Quality 30w, 19v Laptop Rapid Car Charger Adapter Plug:
http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Quality-Charger-Adapter-Notebook/dp/B004J15XOY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1374643275&sr=8-8&keywords=19v+car+charger
1. I cut the end off of the stock wall charger and spliced onto the 19v charger since that is what the wall charger outputs.
2. I folded the circuit in half glued it in to the box. I used a hallmark jewelry box that I cut half the height off of. The box is approx. 2.5x3.5--near perfect fit.
3. I centered the magnets and glued them in place before taping/gluing the box closed.
4. I marked out the measurements on back of the case and drilled holes. The case is hard inflexible plastic so it drilled really well.
5. Place case on box and match magnet polarities before taping them in place.
6. Use double sided tape to affix the box to your dash. Or, if you feel fancy, I bought the vehicle specific mount from ProClip and taped it to that.
7. Run cables for charger, or just plug in.
Pics attached

With that Qi charger do you keep NFC functionality?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

bogdi1988 said:
With that Qi charger do you keep NFC functionality?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately the NFC doesn't work. Although I used it, losing it wasn't that big of a deal for me.

That Qi receiver is only rated at 600mah, there's no way it will keep the phone charged if it's being used while in the car. Even a 1A charger will let the phone slowly die while using navigation& having the screen on.

96cobra said:
That Qi receiver is only rated at 600mah, there's no way it will keep the phone charged if it's being used while in the car. Even a 1A charger will let the phone slowly die while using navigation& having the screen on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. If using navigation and music it will discharge faster than it will charge, but it is VERY slow to do so. However, if you just listen to music with the screen on it charges fine. About 10% an hour.

Very cool. A bit expensive for me, but it'd be nice to have in my car.

I took my old power mate case for my s3 and took out the internals. I have a incipio case that I cut out the silicon layer to fit the circuit board with out adding any bulk to the case.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

Make your own qi charger the size of a nickel? possible?

I know nothing about qi or wireless charging, so don't laugh if im asking too much but I just recently bought a Kenu Airframe for my car, and I love it! Very minimal. its nice. I was wondering if its possible to make your own qi charger, and whats the smallest it would have to be for qi devices (such as nexus 5) to successfully charge to it? I am planning a project soon to install a charger, and Bluetooth receiver inside my dash in my car, and so I wont mind hiding the internals for a qi charger on the inside of the car if its possible. My idea was something almost as small as those nfc stickers, but for qi charging, where the actual charging part could be the slim "nfc sticker" size, with the actual qi parts hiding under dash. is this possible?

unvaluablespace said:
I know nothing about qi or wireless charging, so don't laugh if im asking too much but I just recently bought a Kenu Airframe for my car, and I love it! Very minimal. its nice. I was wondering if its possible to make your own qi charger, and whats the smallest it would have to be for qi devices (such as nexus 5) to successfully charge to it? I am planning a project soon to install a charger, and Bluetooth receiver inside my dash in my car, and so I wont mind hiding the internals for a qi charger on the inside of the car if its possible. My idea was something almost as small as those nfc stickers, but for qi charging, where the actual charging part could be the slim "nfc sticker" size, with the actual qi parts hiding under dash. is this possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Metrans+MWT01+Qi+Wireless+Charger+Teardown/13532
look at a Qi charger teardown
the circuit board probably contains voltage/current regulation stuff along with other stuff, can hide it anywhere
you'll simply need to miniaturize that coil, probably similar to how NFC tags look like... there is some current output, range and efficiency relationship on how you choose the coil size, material, length, radius etc

paperWastage said:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Metrans+MWT01+Qi+Wireless+Charger+Teardown/13532
look at a Qi charger teardown
the circuit board probably contains voltage/current regulation stuff along with other stuff, can hide it anywhere
you'll simply need to miniaturize that coil, probably similar to how NFC tags look like... there is some current output, range and efficiency relationship on how you choose the coil size, material, length, radius etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jesus, that's all there is to it!? this is exactly what I was hoping for! Would it be safe to assume nearly all qi chargers are built similar then? if that coil is any indication, you just might be right. I have a feeling though that the coil is that big for a reason. My guess is smaller might reduce power output, but if its the same concept, ill pick up a cheap charger on ebay to tear apart and play with, just to test it.
Here is the Kenu Airframe for anyone interested:
http://www.kenu.com/products/airframe
if you like small mounts, this sucker is really well built. price might be a bit much for some, but believe me, its worth it.
my idea is to use the small center "Kenu" plate in the middle of the mount for qi charging. One could make the coil somehow on the airframe, possibly in the size of a NFC sticker, and have it wired into a micro usb port on the back of the airframe mount. then on the qi charger size, where the coil is, wire that with a micro usb cord, and simply attach the two cables together. This would allow for any possible adjustments if you wanted to move the mount around.
EDIT: hmmm, a quick google search found this:
http://www.mouser.com/new/Wurth-Electronics/WE-WPC-Coils/
is qi charging really just a basic charger, just with a magnetic inductive coil instead of micro usb cable? is it really that simple?

The coils are specified by the Qi spec. i.e. you can't just use an arbitrary loop of wire. But, it should be relatively trivial to break open a charging pad and put its guts in a new housing.
Working from scratch, however, is complicated and fraught with peril. You'd have to get a chip (like IDTP9036) and wire it up. And no, actually "wiring" it won't work, you'd have to make a circuit board for it to live on.

sciguy125 said:
The coils are specified by the Qi spec. i.e. you can't just use an arbitrary loop of wire. But, it should be relatively trivial to break open a charging pad and put its guts in a new housing.
Working from scratch, however, is complicated and fraught with peril. You'd have to get a chip (like IDTP9036) and wire it up. And no, actually "wiring" it won't work, you'd have to make a circuit board for it to live on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, what I mean is, can you essentially use a regular wire, inbetween the qi coil, and the qi charging component itself? in the link provided by paperwastage, it looks as though all the qi charger itself basically is, is the qi component hardware itself, with the qi compatible inductive coil soldered in. by that concept, I am asking if you could TECHNICALLY add a regular wire between the coil and components, to essentially extend where the actual coil itself can be placed and used?

unvaluablespace said:
well, what I mean is, can you essentially use a regular wire, inbetween the qi coil, and the qi charging component itself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could likely add small extensions to the coil. Though, I don't have enough experience with them to know exactly how much. Personally, I would be wary of adding more than an inch or two to each end. However, you could always experiment and see what works...

Qi help
the distance between the coil and the output board, is going to effect how much power is lost internally.
the size of the coil, the wire size, the wrap (basically anything that affects the field strength) will effect the efficiency.
you'll note alot of the Qi pads out there use 2A draw to power them, but only transfer power at between 500-1000ma....and they only guarantee the lower limit. (i'm guessing because of production variations, like how accurately the coiling is laid down, whether the copper wire had high or low contamination the day it was drawn, etc)
this is where knowing the Qi spec, and tuning your antenna coil comes into play.
all that being said, GL !

I was doing some reading here and there, bought a few cheap qi coils and pcb boards. I was trying to request a sample of TI's new PCB board/coil that does not require magnets(so we can continue to use NFC, and possible compass issues.), but when I tried to request a sample their website would glitch out, may try it again sometime soon.

Did you get anywhere with this? I am trying to extend the distance between the PCB and coil and am unsure of what cable to use.

Qi wireless charger

Hi,
I recently bought a qi wireless charger because my charger port of the phone broke and it's too expensive to fix.
Anyways, yesterday I left it for 2 hours the % went from 49 to 90 which I was quite happy with but I let it charge over night and it only went from 34% to 50%.
I am rooted and on AOSP.
I check the wireless current and sometimes as soon as I put it on the pad it's 1000ma but then it keeps dropping quick to 100ma. The pad as an output of 1000ma.
Csn someone tell me how to fix the slow charge. Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

you're probalby not lining it up properly. that happens when you've misaligned the pad to the charger. find the sweet spot and just remember to place your phone there the same way.
if you're handy,you can probably also come up with a cradle of some sort so the phone falls right in place everytime.

mputtr said:
you're probalby not lining it up properly. that happens when you've misaligned the pad to the charger. find the sweet spot and just remember to place your phone there the same way.
if you're handy,you can probably also come up with a cradle of some sort so the phone falls right in place everytime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I placed mini rare earth magnets under the phone's back plate, just 2 on the top area, and then 2 on the Qi wireless charger so the phone aligns perfectly with the charger, and gets the best charge it can get.. Also I opened up all my Qi Chargers and used my Dremel to remove all the extra plastic, as much as I could to remove any kind of resistance or space between the Tx Coil and the Rx Coil.. I tested the best place they could be aligned with a Multi Meter, and then added magnets.. Works like a charm.. Its a pain in the ass, but mine works out pretty well. I didn't place the magnets on the inside, I placed them on the outside of the charger.. Works well
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271329239542?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
thats what I purchased..

uh wow... that's seriously overkill but sure.. you can do that..
although i wonder if putting magnets that strong in your phone will mess with your gps and magnetometer.
i would say a small plastic cradle or creating little edges on the transmitter so the phone just physically falls in would be an easier and safer alternative that using a dremel on your receiver.

mputtr said:
uh wow... that's seriously overkill but sure.. you can do that..
although i wonder if putting magnets that strong in your phone will mess with your gps and magnetometer.
i would say a small plastic cradle or creating little edges on the transmitter so the phone just physically falls in would be an easier and safer alternative that using a dremel on your receiver.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would of thought the same thing, but it has given me zero problems when the magnets are set up top.. HOWEVER, when I tried to place 2 near the bottom, it caused all kinds of problems with USB charging and my phone locked up a few times... I'm glad the damage wasn't permanent.. I used my Hotglue gun to hold them into place, the magnetic field caused a short in the Gluegun and it EXPLODED in my hand.. I was lucky enough to drop it right when I heard the sizzle and BANG.. So when playing with strong magnets.. Be careful.
Edit: I also have an external case with the same type magnets, and even with the case on, it doesn't give me any issues, at least any I'm aware of.. I made a magnetic mount on my desktop pc, just for kicks.. But since the case is metal, I can't put a Qi charging coil on it.. Now that would be neat..

yeah.. that's dangerous in general. I honestly would not recommend anyone to do what you did considering you almost ended up with stuff blowing up un your hands.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using XDA Free mobile app

The idea behind Qi is simple: all devices with the Qi logo will work with all Qi chargers. That’s it. No need for separate chargers, no need for cables, and no need for adapters when traveling. Qi is a global standard – this means that your device can be charged wirelessly wherever you are.

wireless charging solution thread

As we all know, the new Zenfone 2 is missing wireless charging capabilities, however there are multiple solutions to enable wireless charging on basically any phone.
Example is http://www.amazon.com/BEZALEL®-Wire..._1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1432149451&sr=1-4
It is a cover with a Qi receiver built in, which connects to the charging port and it also provides an independent micro usb port as a part of the case.
The absence of wireless charging in Zenfone 2 is a deal breaker for me ( don't judge) and as soon as an appropriate case is available, I'll get it and the phone as well.
Please post your findings here.

Would love to use wireless charging but using a cover like the one posted is out of question.
I love the slim form and feel of this phone. so i will have to live without QI and other solutions.

This will occupy the mUSB port but would probably be the best current solution.

hkdmjack said:
This will occupy the mUSB port but would probably be the best current solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty cool. I like wireless charging because I'd rather not wear out my micro usb...but that setup kinda marries you to wireless charging all the time. I'd have to rig up wireless charging in the car and at work...not just at home. You use something like that?

nathan118 said:
That's pretty cool. I like wireless charging because I'd rather not wear out my micro usb...but that setup kinda marries you to wireless charging all the time. I'd have to rig up wireless charging in the car and at work...not just at home. You use something like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if I'm going to stick with the ZF2, so I haven't gone out and done all that yet but qi adapters are pretty cheap now for both home and car. How effective some of the car ones are though are another story. iOttie has two models out now that look promising for the car.
There may also be the possibility of placing those adapters into a separate case just meant for wireless charging... remove the case if you need the mUSB port.]
Or... if they do release new back covers... get one that you install the qi adapter in and then one that you won't have the qi adapter in.

WHYYYYYYYYY
Why did Asus decide not to include the qi pins in the back ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
>_<
what to do :'(

Here's a teardown: http://www.myfixguide.com/manual/asus-zenfone-2-teardown/
You could solder the DigiYes posted earlier (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HI8JYFE) onto the usb board. Or you could probably just jam the wires into the connector for a non-permanent solution. The pictures of the DigiYes are a little conflicting, but if it does have leads for the data pins, you'd be best off omitting them (you'll be limited to 500ma qi charging).
This is of course assuming there's enough space to wedge the DigiYes between the back cover and phone.

ziddey said:
Here's a teardown: http://www.myfixguide.com/manual/asus-zenfone-2-teardown/
You could solder the DigiYes posted earlier (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HI8JYFE) onto the usb board. Or you could probably just jam the wires into the connector for a non-permanent solution. The pictures of the DigiYes are a little conflicting, but if it does have leads for the data pins, you'd be best off omitting them (you'll be limited to 500ma qi charging).
This is of course assuming there's enough space to wedge the DigiYes between the back cover and phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which goes back to my point. Why did Asus purposdely omit to include QI/wireless charging pins on the back? It would had cost them hardly anything extra at all, and users could just have changed back cover to get wireless charging...

That one http://www.amazon.com/BLUBOON-Unive...2630&sr=8-2&keywords=qi+wireless+charger+1000 is 1000mA, if it does make a difference. But a case integrated receiver would be much better solution, if ever.

olegy said:
That one http://www.amazon.com/BLUBOON-Unive...2630&sr=8-2&keywords=qi+wireless+charger+1000 is 1000mA, if it does make a difference. But a case integrated receiver would be much better solution, if ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought that model. I have a Qi charger (used with a Nexus 5) hooked up to a 2A USB Adapter, and it barely charges the Zenfone. I do not recommend. Maybe a 2A receiver would work better.

It's ridiculous.... why did asus decide not to offer a wireless charging solution similar to the previous samsung galaxies/lg.
Have the pins for charging on the back, and let the user change the case to a qi receiver case or add a qi receiver pad inside. this is honestly the only thing that disappoints on this phone (((((((((((((

ziddey said:
Here's a teardown: http://www.myfixguide.com/manual/asus-zenfone-2-teardown/
You could solder the DigiYes posted earlier (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HI8JYFE) onto the usb board. Or you could probably just jam the wires into the connector for a non-permanent solution. The pictures of the DigiYes are a little conflicting, but if it does have leads for the data pins, you'd be best off omitting them (you'll be limited to 500ma qi charging).
This is of course assuming there's enough space to wedge the DigiYes between the back cover and phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received mine and there is enough space in the back cover for the receiver to fit in, albeit with a small bulge. It does show my phone as charging even when just held up to my Moto 360 cradle; whether or not it's charging, however, I have no idea.

raynan said:
I just received mine and there is enough space in the back cover for the receiver to fit in, albeit with a small bulge. It does show my phone as charging even when just held up to my Moto 360 cradle; whether or not it's charging, however, I have no idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for trying. Did you actually solder or just plug it in the usb port? If you plugged it in the usb port, does the cover close without damaging the cable?
I'm asking because if that works, we could potentially design a slightly thicker but hollow back case that could hold NFC and the wireless receive without unnatural bulges.

ameel said:
Thanks for trying. Did you actually solder or just plug it in the usb port? If you plugged it in the usb port, does the cover close without damaging the cable?
I'm asking because if that works, we could potentially design a slightly thicker but hollow back case that could hold NFC and the wireless receive without unnatural bulges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It closes fine but there is a bulge and the cover is left slightly open.
Here's my solution. Doesn't look good but functional.

don't judge
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I judge, wireless charging its just another feature. A small battery, a slow processor or low memory now that's a real deal-breaker since your phone wont last a day, apps will run like hell and you will always have to micromanage just for things to run properly.
I'm way more pissed off at this phone not having a removable battery, not just because its a real deal-breaker during travel where I will be forced to lug around one of those brickish power banks but because Li-ION batteries have the lifespan of a mosquito. I already had 2 phones like that and the result was always a massive pain in the ass to deal with.
I rather buy a case with an extra battery than this thing

Three pins USB Board?
Hi there
Maybe some one knows, what are those three pins on the USB board, that are accessible without disassembly phone?? That should be connectors to charging instead of usb socket?

I have a qi charger built into my car. I do not like aftermarket charger added to the phone. So this is a deal breaker for me and will not consider any phones without buildin qi charger.

Looking to buy this phone and own a quick charging card like this. Is it possible to slip the card under the back cover (without a case) or will it cause it to bulge in too unsightly a manner?
dud89 said:
It closes fine but there is a bulge and the cover is left slightly open.
Here's my solution. Doesn't look good but functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Slooop said:
Looking to buy this phone and own a quick charging card like this. Is it possible to slip the card under the back cover (without a case) or will it cause it to bulge in too unsightly a manner?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can but causes a gap near the usb port that I could not close. I would've run it inside if it didn't do that.

dud89 said:
It closes fine but there is a bulge and the cover is left slightly open.
Here's my solution. Doesn't look good but functional.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great Idea.
The speed of charge is 350 MAH ?? Is to slowly (USB PC charge normally 550 MAH)