Another Tablet Cubby Thread (Nexus 7)

[Mr&Mrs]

Hey guys thanks for all of the support. I'm using the nexus now and so far I love it. There are a few hurdles I will have getting it set up but nothing major.


The N7 (figured out this is a short name for it) that I have has no problems with screen orientation I guess they fixed that problem with Jelly Bean 4.2. I am reading up on rooting the tablet but that stuff is was over my head. I may be back for more info on that.


You have convenienced me to use power from the passenger outlet. I will be using an app called tasker to program the N7 to turn on the screen and leave it on when it senses power. I will then have it default to torque for the OBD display.


The reason I went with the OBD MX is for the data rate. It will allow me to use more gauges than the cheaper models. I have read great reviews for it with the next best being the Kiwi. How ever it is 4x faster than it.


I'm going to keep learning the features of the N7, torque, and tasker because they are the main focus of this install. I found some magnets, case, and anti glare screen protector that I like. I will probably order those tonight.


Back to the power did you guys splice into it? Or just use a plug inside the dash? I also have to make sure I get the right charger because I have read, and don't completey understand the N7 has charging issues.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

... Back to the power did you guys splice into it? Or just use a plug inside the dash? I also have to make sure I get the right charger because I have read, and don't completey understand the N7 has charging issues.

There are several methods that work well, which is best for you depends on how much experience you have.

Arguably the best method, but also the hardest to do, would be to solder your taps directly to the wires going to the lighter and insulate with heat-shrink tubing.

You can also use a fuse tap* at one of the fuse blocks. Easy to install and easy to remove if needed. The fuse block on the outer wall of the driver footwell is easy to get to but kinda defeats the purpose of finding a close place to tap power. You can grab power at the IPDM, but then you have to thread the wire through the firewall (not that difficult to do but I like to avoid going through the firewall because of possible leaks).

Then there are the crimp-type taps* that are very easy to install but can nick the wire and are more-or-less permanent. An acceptable method but, IMNSHO, low on the list.

*Not a recommendation, just the first example I found.

[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.

EDIT: One more thing! That would be coming right off of the 12V supply from the battery 14-15V while charging correct? Not sure of the amps...but that is to high of voltage I would think. Would I need some sort of resistor?

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

There are several methods that work well, which is best for you depends on how much experience you have.

Arguably the best method, but also the hardest to do, would be to solder your taps directly to the wires going to the lighter and insulate with heat-shrink tubing.

You can also use a fuse tap* at one of the fuse blocks. Easy to install and easy to remove if needed. The fuse block on the outer wall of the driver footwell is easy to get to but kinda defeats the purpose of finding a close place to tap power. You can grab power at the IPDM, but then you have to thread the wire through the firewall (not that difficult to do but I like to avoid going through the firewall because of possible leaks).

Then there are the crimp-type taps* that are very easy to install but can nick the wire and are more-or-less permanent. An acceptable method but, IMNSHO, low on the list.

*Not a recommendation, just the first example I found.

[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.