I am working on a plan to mount a vehicle dock in a more permanent and professional looking way compared to windshield suction cup with dangling wires.
In my previous thread I figured out how the mounting will be accomplished, now to sort out the wiring... Handling the audio connection is simple. The USB...not so much. I don't want to use a cigarette lighter to USB adapter if I can avoid it. I would far prefer to hardwire but I don't want to go hacking up the cable for no good reason. I know the USB standard calls for both 12v and 5v, if the dock is set to use 12v only, then it is simple, since my car has plenty of 12v power to spare
If it is 5v or both, then I am stuck needing a transformer, and in that case disassembling a cigarette lighter adapter and using the "guts" as my transformer will be my backup plan.
My dock won't be here till Thursday and I have no idea what pins on the micro USB to even try to test and see what voltage is fed to the dock.
Does anyone know the answer or have the ability to check?
Where did you see that USB can be 12V? USB is 5V. Are you thinking of SATA/PATA or ATX (which all have 5V and 12V) or Firewire (which doesn't have a fixed supply voltage)?
You'll need a transformer.
Laurent
You are right, I was thinking of the ATX power supply.
Ok, well at least I know what I am up against. Thanks
you'll need a transformer (require +5v), i did the same for my dock / car (hardwired power /audio cables). i ended up taking apart a cigarette car charger and connected it to a +12v and ground and everything works fine. i have the wire coming up from near the back of my dash area so no cable clutter up front at all.
joeryu said:
you'll need a transformer (require +5v), i did the same for my dock / car (hardwired power /audio cables). i ended up taking apart a cigarette car charger and connected it to a +12v and ground and everything works fine. i have the wire coming up from near the back of my dash area so no cable clutter up front at all.
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I did something similar, but I remounted a hidden cigarette lighter socket to a constant 12V source and grounded it twice for stability, so my phone and MP3 player can charge while I shut the car off and go inside a store for a second (don't leave it connected overnight though!). I ran the wires behind the dash, but I use one of my air vents that rotates all the way around as an able-to-be-completely-destroyed mounting location, then just cut a piece of wood to re-mount a new cell phone holder, etc.
For the Atrix dock, I pulled off all the suction cup mounting materials so it was just the threaded socket on the dock. I used a large enough drill bit to cut into the wood in the right spot for the threads to fit, and threaded them onto the wood to test. Removed it, sanded the wood down smooth on all edges, and applied texturized black spray paint to the wood to make it look like plastic instead of tacky looking wood. Mounted the car dock to it again after drying, and now the dock rotates with the unuseable air vent from portrait to landscape!
Hey, I've got a 2004 Acura RSX, it isn't a BMW.... works just great!
GarciaM25 said:
I did something similar, but I remounted a hidden cigarette lighter socket to a constant 12V source and grounded it twice for stability, so my phone and MP3 player can charge while I shut the car off and go inside a store for a second (don't leave it connected overnight though!). I ran the wires behind the dash, but I use one of my air vents that rotates all the way around as an able-to-be-completely-destroyed mounting location, then just cut a piece of wood to re-mount a new cell phone holder, etc.
For the Atrix dock, I pulled off all the suction cup mounting materials so it was just the threaded socket on the dock. I used a large enough drill bit to cut into the wood in the right spot for the threads to fit, and threaded them onto the wood to test. Removed it, sanded the wood down smooth on all edges, and applied texturized black spray paint to the wood to make it look like plastic instead of tacky looking wood. Mounted the car dock to it again after drying, and now the dock rotates with the unuseable air vent from portrait to landscape!
Hey, I've got a 2004 Acura RSX, it isn't a BMW.... works just great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! Have any pictures? I have a 2003 Mazda 6 and I have a EQ mounted in my top dash pocket so I was able to pull my +12v from there and grounded to my chassis. One question, do you get noise when you have your phone docked and charging while having the auxiliary/headphone port connected to your system? Im getting some slight interference that I can't seem to get rid off...
joeryu said:
Nice! Have any pictures? I have a 2003 Mazda 6 and I have a EQ mounted in my top dash pocket so I was able to pull my +12v from there and grounded to my chassis. One question, do you get noise when you have your phone docked and charging while having the auxiliary/headphone port connected to your system? Im getting some slight interference that I can't seem to get rid off...
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I'll take some, one day...! I don't use the headphone port really, I have an aux input on my aftermarket headunit that I connect my ZuneHD to, so no use for internet radio or downloading music to my phone, EVER.... with my aux input, I always manage to get engine noise, no matter how I position the wires and how strong I ground the charging devices behind the dash.... Looks clean as hell though, just sucks about the slight engine noise! Sorry I can't help
My Mazda RX-8 is getting feedback as well. I need to try another MP3 device to see if it when connected to the power and aux it gets the same feedback.
If it does (different devices) then it's an issue with the grounding on the lighter or a diode on the alternator.
I am considering getting a car dock but have a question; do you have to plug in and remove the 3.5mm audio cable every time or does sound go through the mini usb with a permanent 3.5mm going out the back of the dock? can't find enough info. the motorola site explains nothing; click here.
psymont said:
I am considering getting a car dock but have a question; do you have to plug in and remove the 3.5mm audio cable every time or does sound go through the mini usb with a permanent 3.5mm going out the back of the dock? can't find enough info. the motorola site explains nothing; click here.
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It goes through the MicroUSB - you have to use the supplied USB cable because at the end of it, on the USB-A side, there is a split attachment for the 3.5mm jack that you can hide behind the dash easily and connect to the back (or front, if applicable) of the radio
Great thanks so much for explaining it. Ill get one then.
...so I made my own. I took a ProClip charging mount and epoxied in a 3.5mm audio cable and a straight USB for charging. I then mounted it to my existing mounting plate in my car. I'm still figuring out how I'm going to route the wires as it looks slightly rough right now but it is very functional... simply slide the phone into the mount and the charger and USB are connected. I also use apps to enable BT when it's charging so it automatically pairs with my car. I may get an NFC tag sometime down the road but for now I'm pretty satisfied.
Closeups of the epoxy job?
I have a 2013 Civic Si and a 2013 Elantra. Both cars have a lower power outlet. I have seen car docks that basically plug into this and convert the power outlet to micro USB so I can just drop in my phone to charge and use it for music/GPS as I drive. Can someone guide me in the direction of one on Amazon?
agentfazexx said:
I have a 2013 Civic Si and a 2013 Elantra. Both cars have a lower power outlet. I have seen car docks that basically plug into this and convert the power outlet to micro USB so I can just drop in my phone to charge and use it for music/GPS as I drive. Can someone guide me in the direction of one on Amazon?
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I'm a huge fan of Arkon Slim Grip mount, reviewed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2174449
What is cool, you can use it with any phone up to Note 3 size (and of course your S4) and any 7"/8" tablets. Plus, it uses universal ball joint connection on the back. Which means you can use it with included sticky suction mount for dashboard or windshield, AND get Arkon light socket mount like this: http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-Universal-Lighter-Socket-Smartphones/dp/B002IVU3I8/ or like this: http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GN097-Lighter-Socket-Garmin/dp/B000BP8GQO/ which is going to set you as an extra mounting option for under $10. Been using Arkon stuff for many years with my Droid X, Note 2, and Nexus 7 - top quality.
Btw, you will need to get car charger for that for micro-usb output. Or perhaps if you get their latest IntelliGrip one (which is Slim Grip Ultra with NFC built in chip) - it also comes with car charger: http://www.amazon.com/ARKON-NFCSM02-Programmable-Powered-Dock/dp/B00E5QAM58/
In the Box:
The car charger comes in a white box that is branded with RavPower on it and has the basic features printed on the box. When you open the box, there is a plastic case that you slide out and the car charger sits in the plastic case. The car charger also is wrapped in the a small plastic bag. Along with the car charger, you get a user manual.
First Impressions:
The car charger comes in two colors, black or white, and I got the white one. The car charger fills very sturdy and the flat sides give you a good grip on the product.
Review:
Very nice product. The car charger fits right in my 12V power outlet in my car and it's very snug inside the outlet. If you want to get it out, you are going to have to pull hard. One thing that I didn't like at first was that there was not a power light but when I plugged it in my car, I found out the power light is internal. It lights up the USB ports which I think is a very smart idea. I have a Moto G (1st Gen) and the car charger took 3-4 hours to charge my phone to 100%. This is a very nice product for people who need a great quality two port USB car charger. Another great product from RAVPower.
just like what i saw from dx http://www.dx.com/p/car-cigarette-p...w-dual-usb-for-cell-phone-white-12-24v-298612 ,car charger is so convenient for people in the car ,never concern about battery die out
Are there any wireless car mounts out there that will quick charge the P3XL? I currently use an Ottie mount with the sticky suction cup (love it) for my soon to be retired Nexus 6P.
PS got the shipping notification this afternoon!
I recently purchased the "[10W Fast Charge] Nillkin 2-in-1 Qi Wireless Charging Pad & Magnetic Car Mount Air Vent Holder" on Amazon. With normal car mounts, you install a metallic plate to grab onto. This one uses an X plate with the magnets on the ends of the X points. This keeps it from blocking the charging. I should know if it really works on Friday when my phone shows up.