Another Tablet Cubby Thread (Nexus 7)

[LostSol]

So basically charging a device with a microUSB like your nexus works like this. There are 4 pins in the charger port, 1 through 4. 1 is positive power, 2 is positive data, 3 is negative data, and 4 is ground. While you could hack it and just use pins 1 and 4, pins 2 and 3 are important because if the android operating system doesn't see a specific constant voltage being applied across these two pins, the tablet will only charge in "USB" mode, drawing a max of 500 mA. What you need is an android friendly charger that will trick the tablet into thinking its plugged into a wall allowing it to enter "AC" charging mode and draw as much amperage as is safe for the device. I use a USB plug in charger that delivers up to 2100 mA, which is what I would suggest you do, no cutting, no mess, no fuss.

Keep in mind your screen on, Bluetooth running, and multiple apps are capable of drawing at least 1500 mA, so you'll constantly lose charge unless you do this correctly.

Edit:

I asked around on the android forums and was pointed to this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088U4YAG/...0_M3T1_SC_dp_1

The nexus guys have had great luck with it, and it delivers 3100 mA!

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

Ok so if I tap into the power going to the outlet....

1) Is it ok to hack up a Micro USB and tap in with it?
2) Will the outlet still have power to charge something? If not it kind of defeats the purpose of tapping into it.

3) How the fudge do I tap into it, I cant seem to find a diagram for it.

* 1 - Not sure what you mean. If you mean take a cord with a uUSB connector on it and wire the other end to vehicle power, then the answer is no. The car is 12V and USB is 5V. Fortunately, there are umpteen gillion 12V-to-USB converters available in just about any form factor you can imagine. You should be able to find a small unit that can be easily hidden. Just make sure it has some room to breathe.

* 2 - Unless you cut the wires, you will still have power to the lighter. It would be super easy if you didn't want to keep the lighter powered. All you would have to do is snip the wire(s) and butt splice them.

* 3 - One of the wires will be +12V and the other one is ground. The wires will be color-coded, but I don't know the colors off the top of my head. IIRC, there is more than one stereo/GPS/nav/tablet install DIY that explains it well (and gives some routing tips). If my memory is faulty, let me know and I'll look it up in the FSM. I wanna say that you just unscrew the inner part of the lighter and pull the housing out from the rear to get access to the wires.

[Mr&Mrs]

Thanks man, this is all the tricky charging stuff I have been reading. The way you described it makes alot more sense than some of the other inflated topics on it I found.

This: Car Charger Seems to be the one alot of the people have used that works. One reviewer made a very detailed post on it but confused me a little when I read it at 3 this morning Do you think this will work? If it does I can run an extra cord into my glove box for my wifes devices to charge on the road as well.

BTW I will hand out reps for all the help from you guys when I get a chance. Im popping in and out from work right now.

Originally Posted by LostSol

So basically charging a device with a microUSB like your nexus works like this. There are 4 pins in the charger port, 1 through 4. 1 is positive power, 2 is positive data, 3 is negative data, and 4 is ground. While you could hack it and just use pins 1 and 4, pins 2 and 3 are important because if the android operating system doesn't see a specific constant voltage being applied across these two pins, the tablet will only charge in "USB" mode, drawing a max of 500 mA. What you need is an android friendly charger that will trick the tablet into thinking its plugged into a wall allowing it to enter "AC" charging mode and draw as much amperage as is safe for the device. I use a USB plug in charger that delivers up to 2100 mA, which is what I would suggest you do, no cutting, no mess, no fuss.

Keep in mind your screen on, Bluetooth running, and multiple apps are capable of drawing at least 1500 mA, so you'll constantly lose charge unless you do this correctly.

[Mr&Mrs]

Well I see we both posted the same unit so I guess I will add that to my order later, thanks!

[LostSol]

Yep you should be good with that one, Id suggest only trying to use the NA (non apple) port as well as a high quality (preferably OEM) microUSB cable. You MAY use the other port to charge another device, however you wuold not be getting full power to the other port then, so youd have to keep an eye on how much juice youre actually pulling and if its getting enough charge. I actually put a flush mount mini dual usb in the charger in the armrest for additional devices.

[Mr&Mrs]

I have an OCD thing with never putting anything in the armrest plus I hate when people open it and I have to lift my arm. I also have 5 toggle switches in there for my headlights/rear fog I dont want bumped around.

[Mr&Mrs]

Just put in my order for a few more items:

Asus Factory Cable, N45 1/2" x 1/16" Neodymium Magnets x10, Dual 3.1A 15W Car Charger, Poetic Element Hard Case, and an Anti Glare Matte Screen Protector 3 Pack.

Tomorrow is my only day off and we are packing up the house for our move in about a month so I may not have much time to work on it, but I will fit some time in.

First post updated with prices.

[Cbtech]

Question I have is how are you going to avoid the charging port plug protruding 1/3 of an inch out the top of this? wouldn't that cause issues with the tab sitting flush in the cubby?

[Mr&Mrs]

If this is a problem I am going to search for a right angle cord that meets the charging needs of the tablet. If you check out the link in my first post to my reference thread you can see what he done with an iPad Mini. So basically I do not think it will be a problem.

[cheshirecat]

The charging issue is honestly the most difficult to overcome, as the tablet draws quite a bit of amperage when the screen is on (full brightness), wifi is on (for tethering from phone), along with BT and GPS.

Luckily for you, the Nexus 7 is known to be very car-friendly as far as draw. My tablet was not.

As far as the USB adapter for a right angle, I found this site while I was doing my integration.

USB Cables - From www.AngledCables.com - Overnight delivery available! - USB Cables

Here's a thread about proper car chargers for the tablet:

The Only Car Charger You Need for the Nexus 7 - xda-developers

[Mr&Mrs]

Ok, I got the center cubby and shroud out. I now have two issues, one being the factory Bose unit. I checked the DIY and removed the 4 bolts that hold it in place. I cant budge it though to pull it out. The DIY says you need a pry bar but not where to pry...I dont want to mess up anything. The second issue is in the DIY pics there is no audio port in the back like I was hoping for and I do not want to run a cord around to the front port.

As mentioned I do not know much about car audio. So I was wondering if the N7 has anything like the iSimple media gateway, or if it works with bluetooth. Both of those options are things I just remember reading about. I have no clue if they will work or not, im heading off to look now, but figured I would ask here real quick.

Im also going to spend a few hours sizing up the cubby with the N7. This is actually really fun I cant wait until its all done.

On another note wow it was a PIA to get all of my iTunes music on this thing. Besides that I think it is wayyyy better than any of our apple products.

[Bandit_Kaine]

The iSimple media gateway will receive streaming audio from your tablet just fine. If you don't already have it though it'll cost you $300 to get the gateway + bluetooth module. Or you could get the gateway and use it's audio input (connect your tablet with the audio out cable to the input of the gateway).

[Cbtech]

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

Ok, I got the center cubby and shroud out. I now have two issues, one being the factory Bose unit. I checked the DIY and removed the 4 bolts that hold it in place. I cant budge it though to pull it out. The DIY says you need a pry bar but not where to pry...I dont want to mess up anything.

There are (I believe) a total of 8 screws that hold the stereo in place. The head unit doesn't come out by its self the whole temp control assembly comes out with it.

[Mr&Mrs]

Thanks, I didnt know it cost that much! I may have to wait a bit before I get that. I found a few other options but they were more permanent (required cutting and splicing into the N7 itself. I want to be able to remove mine at any time.

Originally Posted by Bandit_Kaine

The iSimple media gateway will receive streaming audio from your tablet just fine. If you don't already have it though it'll cost you $300 to get the gateway + bluetooth module. Or you could get the gateway and use it's audio input (connect your tablet with the audio out cable to the input of the gateway).

Ok I will check it out tomorrow I was reading it on my phone while I was in the car. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Cbtech

There are (I believe) a total of 8 screws that hold the stereo in place. The head unit doesn't come out by its self the whole temp control assembly comes out with it.

[Mr&Mrs]

Bandit, I see a bunch of different ones im not sure which will work. None of them say for Android devices (that I can seem to find). I found this one: Will this work? It does say supports a separate audio signal though and in the pic looks like it has a plug that will work in the jack on the N7. Im also curious if it will plug right into the factory Bose system. According to this site: It should work.

EDIT: Ordered the above unit.