Develop Bugs

Idea for alternative charger connector (updated 3/7)

There have been a lot of complaints about the flimsy connector for the Xoom charger. I also think that it is a very poor design at most. The metal pin is too long, the plastic part is poking out too much etc.
I am no engineer and also bad at drawing but I attached something that I think might work. If anyone feels like they could produce a prototype that would be awesome!
The small magnet might or might not work. If you look at the area where all the connectors are you will see a small metal plate that could probably be used to anchor the connector magnetically.
Any feedback is appreciated (even just to say that I am full of sh!t!)
UPDATE: I added an alternative design using the two metal connectors for charging and a silicone plug to keep the connectors in place. A magnet will give additional stability.

funnycreature said:
There have been a lot of complaints about the flimsy connector for the Xoom charger. I also think that it is a very poor design at most. The metal pin is too long, the plastic part is poking out too much etc.
I am no engineer and also bad at drawing but I attached something that I think might work. If anyone feels like they could produce a prototype that would be awesome!
The small magnet might or might not work. If you look at the area where all the connectors are you will see a small metal plate that could probably be used to anchor the connector magnetically.
Any feedback is appreciated (even just to say that I am full of sh!t!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It charges my Xoom very fast. It is still working and has not caused me any issues. If it breaks, I will come back here to *****.

I was just referring to the connector but thanks for the warning

funnycreature said:
I was just referring to the connector but thanks for the warning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So was I. The stock one works fine however, alternatives are great as well. I just do not see a need for one personally. Others may.

Yeah, the stock connecter scares me. I like your design though I'm not sure anyone here has the means to develop and sell it. I'm hoping maybe someone may find a softwear solution to charge via the USB micro port. What do you guys think, possible or no?

funnycreature said:
There have been a lot of complaints about the flimsy connector for the Xoom charger. I also think that it is a very poor design at most. The metal pin is too long, the plastic part is poking out too much etc.
I am no engineer and also bad at drawing but I attached something that I think might work. If anyone feels like they could produce a prototype that would be awesome!
The small magnet might or might not work. If you look at the area where all the connectors are you will see a small metal plate that could probably be used to anchor the connector magnetically.
Any feedback is appreciated (even just to say that I am full of sh!t!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like it! i think its a pretty good idea. Wish i knew someone who could create one. I would buy it. stock one scares me

how the F do magnets work?
anyhow, yeah really good design. I would buy that too.

i just turn it upside down while charging it.

I would buy one of those

I have to ask, why you would use that connector at all if you want to redesign a magnetic charger? Why not use the same priciple to connect it to the two plates on the bottom next to the hole for power?
As someone who repairs laptops for a living, this was the single most troubling design aspect of our new toy. It looks like it will be far to easy to damage the internals of this device with the default power cable.
It would make more sense to use a breakaway magnetic connection that makes contact with the two metal plates. I have not looked in to it too far but it would seem that the docs use this and the USB in them is strictly for audio out.

I was actually wondering if the metal plates would be used for dock charging. Since I don't own a dock I can't check. But if it is then yes, the charger should be attached magnetically! Thanks for the clarification. I'll try to design more options
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

keitht said:
So was I. The stock one works fine however, alternatives are great as well. I just do not see a need for one personally. Others may.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only complaint with the xoom, honestly is the charging system.
For starters, I don't see a reason to not allow charging over USB. Sure the voltage would only be 5v, and it would take considerably longer, but the option would be nice. This isn't to say I want to do away with the 12v charger, because the speed at which it charges is lovely, just the option for the other.
Secondly, the needle-like connector screams, "I want to be broken quickly!" Was there really a need to make the connector in that type and size?
Thirdly, the placement of the charger port is hideous and impractical. It's dead center at the bottom. I rarely use my xoom flat against a surface. I purchased the display portfolio that motorola made. The charger port is not only a hinderance to the utilization of my portfolio case, but is also covered at all times when using the case in any manner that motorola designed it. I'm sure this is simply a brain-fart on motorola's part, which happens to everyone and is understandable, but is there a reason the charger port couldn't have been placed on one of the sides of the device? I would say preferably the left hand side, as people are less likely to turn the device to sit on that side.
I'm not simply posting this to complain, just express my thoughts on the only true fault that I feel the xoom has. On that note, a 90 degree *honestly 180 degree by the design sketch* connector would be lovely, IMO. It still wouldn't be usable with the portfolio case, but it would allow someone to angle the xoom without fear of breaking the charger off inside it.

The two metal plates are indeed for charging on the dock. It takes away the need to use the stock charger on the needle tip. Just plug the charger into the dock and set the Xoom on it. I charge this way every time.

markbo2000 said:
The two metal plates are indeed for charging on the dock. It takes away the need to use the stock charger on the needle tip. Just plug the charger into the dock and set the Xoom on it. I charge this way every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only problem is that's a $70-$120 solution

Why even have the plug then and just use the metal plates?

xlGmanlx said:
Why even have the plug then and just use the metal plates?
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Click to collapse
The plug would add additional stability so that it doesn't come off so easily. Not sure how strong you could make the magnets. As I said, I'm no engineer

Makes sense, maybe a smaler nub though haha, otherwise I like the idea
funnycreature said:
The plug would add additional stability so that it doesn't come off so easily. Not sure how strong you could make the magnets. As I said, I'm no engineer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Apple has a patent on the magnetically attached charger. Perhaps this is why motorola went the direction that it did.
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...XT&s1=7311526.PN.&OS=PN/7311526&RS=PN/7311526

im gonna make this. I will let you guys know how it works. my first android by the way!

Sweet! I was also thinking about getting some latex and a second charger that I can strip and modify. This will be so cool!
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

[MOD] A couple DIY pogo docks - desk and car

I took a lot of inspiration for these projects from some of the stuff I saw posted around here. Like many others, I got tired of the lack of accessories available for the GN and built a few of my own. I was also too impatient to order and wait for the pogo pins that I should have been using for this project, so I used guitar string instead. :silly: Oh well....
The Wooden Desk Dock
This one was fun and It didn't take too long to build. Thanks to chopper the dog for his info in this thread which I used as I was building this. To put this together I used:
a couple pieces of scrap wood for the body,
a paint stirrer cut to size for the platform,
some 46 gauge guitar string for the contacts,
solder,
electrical tape,
a strip of 1/8 inch foam (on the left side. hard to see in the pic) to seat the phone snugly,
a few felt pads for feet,
and, an NFC tag to trigger landscape mode for the phone and it has been working nice.
Ideally, I need to get this thing sanded down a little more, get the tag hidden a little better, and maybe stain or paint it.
The Modified Verizon Car Dock
I'm pretty happy with the way this one turned out, but I'm not finished yet. For this one I used:
an old Verizon car charger,
some 46 gauge guitar string for the contacts,
solder,
electrical tape,
two 1/4 inch pieces of spray tube from a can of WD-40 (I used these as guides for the guitar string to slide through),
some CA glue to hold the tube guides in place (We'll see long this lasts...)
a small bolt, nut, and teflon washer,
a short piece of black wire (I used this to secure the power cord to the dock. It was the smallest, nicest looking way of doing it short of using a twist tie, blegh.)
an NFC tag to trigger landscape mode for the phone,
and a Razer sticker to hide my mistake of shaving too much of the back of that Samsung plate away too fast and melting the front (dammit!)
As you can see, up close it's not the prettiest looking job, but with the phone snapped in it looks just fine. I was a huge pain getting those contacts just right, but eventually using those tubes made it much easier. I carved out a section of the soft rubber inside, because it left a mess when I initially drilled through it. It made it really hard to line the contacts up.
I'm going to work on this one a little more today. I want to add a connector to make it possible to break the cord away from the dock and possibly make another cord with a USB connection on the end.
Adding the Connector to the Modified Verizon Car Dock
This was easier than I expected. I started searching around for supplies and found a couple of old cordless handset bases with just what I wanted, some kind of 90 degree connector. I pulled the receptacle from the board inside the base. Since we had multiple bases, I was able to grab two nearly identical plugs.
Then I removed the fixed car charger from my dock and found a suitable place for the receptacle. I soldered the wires in place and fixed the receptacle in place with a zip tie.
I think the zip tie was the best way to go. It's a little tight under the samsung cover.
I used the plugs and spliced them onto to the verizon car charger and a regular usb cable. For anyone who's interested, the wires inside the verizon charger are red (5v) and green (ground).
After a little testing, I decided the receptacle needed another zip tie and a round of CA glue to hold it in place. Here's the finished product. I'm very happy with how it turned out.
I also have another problem I need to work out. I use my 12v socket in the car for my bluetooth receiver. I need to figure out a way to power both in a small compact way. I've seen those 12v socket splitters and I will not put something like that in my car. What do you guys think about trying to fit both of these into one package?
I had a lot of fun working on these over the couple days. Let me know what you guys think

Well done, I like the look of the chunky wood dock. Although like you said sanding it down would make it look better.

Thanks jonny. I'm thinking a dark stain on it would look nice. I want to replace the platform with something a little more durable as well.

Yea I dont blame you. It doesnt quite fit with the look of the rest of it. Perhaps if you have any more of the wood you used you can use that and just cut a really thin piece to use as the platform.

3D Printed a sync/charging cradle. Check it out.

I finally have access to a 3D printer where I work and was asked to throw test uses out for it and try to pull it to it's limits. We typically use it to print out models of the 3D art our designers make. It's awesome for that.
I used it to print this dock that someone designed and posted over at thingiverse. I think it came out great in black ABS plastic. Haven't slotted a USB cable in to it yet but will when I get home (no cables that fit it here in the office. It has a hole and slot to route the cable out the back. It holds the phone in portrait mode. I use the Ringke Slim case (which I don't recomend since it scratches the phone but hell, i already own it) and it seems to sit nicely in the dock. :good:
Gallery of cradle from various angles: http://imgur.com/a/3XaMq
What do you think. How would you change it?

Nice! I would add short side walls to keep the phone from falling over and out of the dock and would make a second one wider with a lower back for landscape mode. I would also think about building in a space for a QI charger coil and board inside the back plate to have it double as a wireless charger.

Improvements?
Perhaps have the back hollow and wide enough to slip the 'official' Wireless charging pad in, and also ones like the pURL=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-DT-900-Wireless-Charging-Plate/dp/B009WKGNB4]DT-900[/URL], and between the charger and phone be slim enough to actually charge the phone (most have a 5mm range)

Could you make me one? Only thing i would suggest is added small walls to the sides so it doesn't slide right off. Maybe make a variant with a space for a wireless charging puck?

Once the charger is in place it won't slide side to side.
That being said, i can find a charger that fits. The creator used one made by Nokia... Seems it would be more helpful to the community if he used a cheaper, easily attainable Monoprice or Amazon Basics cable.

http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-WCP-300-Wireless-Charging/dp/B00C6VP03I
This should fit

I would lose the flat bottom allowing it to sit on irregular surfaces and also saving more materials. Looks great already though.

[MOD] Turn Google's crappy Wireless Charging Orb into a clean magnetic car charger

Hey everyone,
This is my first modification guide thingy so I hope it is ok and useful to some of you. I purchased an N5 off of Swappa recently that came with the N4 Wireless Charging Orb and the newer glass-topped N5 wireless charger. I assume the original owner was sick of how the orb performed (Google failed with the design of it) and bought the other charger. I was about to throw it away but started doing some research. Some other people have modified the orb, but the results are extremely ugly. I'll show you what I've done and how I'm incorporating this into my 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. I want the result to look like it was factory installed and without any external suction cup wireless charger with ugly ass arms that clamp around the phone. I want it to be completely invisible until I plop my phone on it.
After I took everything apart I was going to try and reuse the casing somehow, so that's why this image is covered with a different covering than the Nexus imprinted rubber on the top. I decided against reusing the casing because it looked ugly and I found a better way.
Step 1 - Remove the Nexus rubber to expose the screws
Peel back the Nexus rubber covering to reveal the screws. I ended up ripping the rubber so be careful if you plan to reuse it. Honestly, you probably won't be able to get it to sit right even if you do plan to reuse it. The screws will be at 12, 3, 6, and 9 oclock.
Step 2 - Remove the screws to take off the top and and get access to the PCB/Wireless Charging Coil
Some people say you can just unscrew the screws, but mine were glued in with locktite or something. I had to drill them out. I used an 1/8" bit. Be careful not to hit the board. I hit the board a little bit ( since you can't really see it with the top on still) but everything seems to work. From there just take off the top and remove the board. You'll have to remove the 2 other screws holding the L shaped metal thing to completely remove the unit.
Step 3 - Buy Neodymium magnets and add them to the coil
I purchased these magnets (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANVAHI/). They were $7.79 for 100. Since this is going in a vehicle and there's going to be bumpiness, I ended up using 44 magnets around the outside of the coil (stacked 2 high, all the way around). They hold on to each other and the coil magnetically, but I'll probably throw some double sided sticky tape around the edges to make sure they don't go anywhere.
Step 4 - Find the area in your vehicle where you're going to mount it and make a vinyl template
In my Cherokee, there's an ashtray which I never use (I don't smoke). Some people take out the ashtray and put a switch panel there for external lighting and what not. I thought, that's the perfect spot for a wireless charger. I grabbed some green car vinyl my friend had laying around, and cut it to match the ash tray. In the image above I layed it over the top, but I will be removing the ash tray completely so it sits flush. I plastidipped the vinyl black to match the interior of my truck (as close as possible) and to add a little more grip.
Step 5 - Mount and wire the wireless charger/vinyl covering
This will be done this coming Tuesday, but the image above is a test. It charges perfectly and is a very strong hold. I do not see this going anywhere when I'm driving. I'll reply to this thread with pictures of the final product next week.

Nicely done! Love the added magnets
Not sure I'd destroy my $50 charger to do this...but now I'm thinking of picking one of those cheap $15 Qi China chargers to disect

sean222 said:
Nicely done! Love the added magnets
Not sure I'd destroy my $50 charger to do this...but now I'm thinking of picking one of those cheap $15 Qi China chargers to disect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have the Nexus orb? And yours actually works? My phone would slide right off of that thing and I'd wake up with a dead phone. You really wouldn't damage the thing if you were careful. You might be able to unscrew the screws without using a drill.

Poi25 said:
You have the Nexus orb? And yours actually works? My phone would slide right off of that thing and I'd wake up with a dead phone. You really wouldn't damage the thing if you were careful. You might be able to unscrew the screws without using a drill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine works great because I don't use a case, so the back of the rubbery orb sticks nicely to the back of my rubbery Nexus 5! with my old nexus 4, it didn't stick naked, but did stick after I put a wet application protector. I can imagine most cases not sticking and it sliding off though

Here's my final setup and finished product! Head to 3:00 mark for the wireless charger.

geat! probably i`ll do the same on my car

charly_mad said:
geat! probably i`ll do the same on my car
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Click to collapse
The wireless charger works great, such a strong hold and completely invisible.

Super glued a Super Magnet to the back of the Moto 360...and now it won't charge!

Hi I just have a general, well more specific question, about the Moto 360 smartwatch. See, I have always liked using the Moto 360 with the watchbands detached. It just sits more comfortably in my hand and I would rather have a cool, smaller, lighter, and easier to use option aside from my actual smartphone. It's great for driving too because you can change the music and do simple tasks with one hand while the other is on the steering wheel (only at certain times of course). The only issue with this is I don't have a way to quickly pull out my watch and put it back in my pocket without too much of a fuss. People usually say to this: "Taking out your watch and putting it back in your pocket to do things? Why not use your phone?" So what I did was super glue a super magnet to the back of the watch and another to a belt clip. This way it can always be at my side when I need it. I can use it without the bands, seated comfortably in my hand, and when I don't need it I can slap it back onto my belt clip. So. The only issue with this whole situation is that the magnet super glued on the back of the Moto 360 prevents the Moto 360 charger, which I believe is some sort of magnetic device, from actually charging the device which makes this whole set up seem pointless. So I was hoping someone here would know a way to still charge the device or even better yet show me a better set up other than the magnets that I can use for my desired effect. Okay thank you guys for reading all of this and I hope someone can help me here.

I don't think there is really a way to do what you want without a lot of work. Wireless charging at this point in time struggles to get through thick phone cases let alone a magnet. I can't think of a good solution to do what you want either.

Well someone had suggested I use Velcro straps, which I think might work but how annoying would the sound if constant ripping off Velcro straps be throughout the day? (Not rhetorical) I just duct taped the magnet to the back of the watch is that way when I need to charge it all I have to do it take it off. I'm hoping Velcro would be a little less tedious. Any opinions between those two options?

What you may be able to do is get a fast boot usb cable as described here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-360/accessories/cradles-moto360-usb-conection-sale-t2901110 so you can charge it, but it will take some modification to the watch itself.

xkn0s said:
What you may be able to do is get a fast boot usb cable as described here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-360/accessories/cradles-moto360-usb-conection-sale-t2901110 so you can charge it, but it will take some modification to the watch itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the fast boot cables si charge the Moto 360? That might really work. See in all of the information I found about fast boot cables, none if them mentioned it the cable actually charges the watch. Would you happen to know how fast or slow the charging us compared to the standard charger? (The standard charger is pretty fast for me)

Kwilliams0937 said:
So the fast boot cables si charge the Moto 360? That might really work. See in all of the information I found about fast boot cables, none if them mentioned it the cable actually charges the watch. Would you happen to know how fast or slow the charging us compared to the standard charger? (The standard charger is pretty fast for me)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I don't actually own a cable (to scared and broke to try it if it damages the watch), I can't speak from experience, but according to Root Junky http://www.rootjunky.com/moto-360-adapter-usb-cable/it does. It also includes a video on how to create said cable. I did a lot of research before ultimately deciding it was not worth it. However it may be a good solution to your problem.

why not velcro the watch to the magnet , that way when you need to charge it all you gotta do is pull it apart, that way you can keep the magnet with your belt buckle or clip that the magnet attaches to, you could even cut a hole in the middle of the velcro on the watch to have the heartbeat sensor visible?

cyan pac said:
why not velcro the watch to the magnet , that way when you need to charge it all you gotta do is pull it apart, that way you can keep the magnet with your belt buckle or clip that the magnet attaches to, you could even cut a hole in the middle of the velcro on the watch to have the heartbeat sensor visible?
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That would be a good idea except the magnets I'm using are much stronger than the Velcro alone. It's that neodymium material or "super magnets" as they are called by the brand I buy.

Kwilliams0937 said:
That would be a good idea except the magnets I'm using are much stronger than the Velcro alone. It's that neodymium material or "super magnets" as they are called by the brand I buy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but the watch would be detachable from the magnet you might have to down grade the magnet so it's not as strong

The wireless charging uses magnetism, so it is impossible to charge with one on the watch. There's a different type of Velcro that is way different and is silent. You could try to find that and then use it.

Use a very thin piece of metal glued to the back of the watch. I have a small round metal plate glued to the back of my note 5 and the wireless charger still works. I use the plate so i can stick it to a magnetic holder on the dash in my car. Look up WizGear on Amazon and you should see what I'm talking about.