I have the official samsung dock and it only charges the phone. If i pull the usb cable out of the dock and connect to the phone it will allow mount of SD and copy / sync of files.
I'm sure a small wiring / circuit change inside the dock is all I need, and I'm pretty sure someone has blazed this trail before. I just can't find their notes on the forums or web.
Any assistance appreciated.
papashex said:
I have the official samsung dock and it only charges the phone. If i pull the usb cable out of the dock and connect to the phone it will allow mount of SD and copy / sync of files.
I'm sure a small wiring / circuit change inside the dock is all I need, and I'm pretty sure someone has blazed this trail before. I just can't find their notes on the forums or web.
Any assistance appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which dock? If it's the one that has audio output - no you can't use it to sync because it uses D+ and D- for audio L/R.
If you wanted to use it to sync you'd have to remove the ID resistor and reroute D+ and D- back to the USB cable.
Thats what I'm talking about. Are those changes documented somewhere? I don't care about audio out (the dock does have that output jack).
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
Easiest way to do it is to break off the bottom part and just use the standard cable directly to the phone.
If you were interested you could always try this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAMSUNG-GAL...475010?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item1c1e2ee8c2
I ordered one, I havent received it yet but will post results when I get it.
K Rich said:
If you were interested you could always try this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAMSUNG-GAL...475010?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item1c1e2ee8c2
I ordered one, I havent received it yet but will post results when I get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw many of those docks for the 9100 also. When I pressed the vendors for 777 compatibility the answer was always "NO". Probably because they just don't know enough for a definitive "YES". Let us know how it goes.
I may just have to break out my kids legos and build something around the plain cable
(that way it can accomodate a case)
The description says it can be used to charge/sync. For $10, I'm willing to take that bet.
It'll be nice to actually have my phone sitting in something while charging over night instead of just laying on my desk.
Our phones are pretty much the same as the international version (with slightly rounded corners and 2nd mic placement) but theoretically the bottom should be exactly the same, so I don't see why that wouldn't work.
Related
Has anyone come across a cigarette lighter mount for the GSM TP2 that will also charge the device? It has to be for the GSM version as the CDMA ones have their usb port mounted slightly to the left of center where the GSM versions are mounted.
I found two different ones so far. One is a universal one made by Arkon and seems to be less sturdy than it should be. It has a pass-through 12v port to plug in a charger to it. It only concerns me that the way it is made, it seems to not be sturdy enough based on the reviews.
The other one is made by iGrip and is pretty nice. It is made for the TP2, but it has no power option at all. If this would have a charging port on it, it would be perfect.
Anyone else seen any other options?
here in the netherlands you can buy them and they support paypal if im correct
http://www.mytrendyphone.nl/shop/htc-touch-pro2-54906c1.html
shatred said:
here in the netherlands you can buy them and they support paypal if im correct
http://www.mytrendyphone.nl/shop/htc-touch-pro2-54906c1.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but I didn't see any mount for the Rhodium on the linked page. Thanks anyway.
cajunflavoredbob said:
.
Anyone else seen any other options?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this: http://www.bracketron.com/products/universal-usb-power-dock
I got it from Radio Shack with a 1 year warranty just in case. I did have it break on me but that's because I wasn't using it right. I was within the 30 day return period so i returned it an got a new one. If you do get it make sure you press the red button when adjusting the angle. I would still recommend ti since it has everything I was looking for. I doubt you'll be able to have the keyboard open, but why would you need it open while driving?
howhi50 said:
I use this: http://www.bracketron.com/products/universal-usb-power-dock
I got it from Radio Shack with a 1 year warranty just in case. I did have it break on me but that's because I wasn't using it right. I was within the 30 day return period so i returned it an got a new one. If you do get it make sure you press the red button when adjusting the angle. I would still recommend ti since it has everything I was looking for. I doubt you'll be able to have the keyboard open, but why would you need it open while driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still searching for something similar. I like that one, I'm just worried about having the charging cable hanging out of it. The plug only needs to be a standard USB plug. I would imagine there would be another phone or device that would require something of this sort. Also, I don't need the keyboard open while using this.
cajunflavoredbob said:
I'm still searching for something similar. I like that one, I'm just worried about having the charging cable hanging out of it. The plug only needs to be a standard USB plug. I would imagine there would be another phone or device that would require something of this sort. Also, I don't need the keyboard open while using this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea that's what I initially wanted when I set out my search but ended up settling for this. My apologizes on accusing you of wanting to use the keyboard while driving. After re-reading your op I didn't see that mentioned like I thought I did before. For charging my phone I use one of these pretty good quality and it comes with a micro usb adapter which i liked since a lot of newer phones are using this. Best wishes on your search!!
howhi50 said:
Yea that's what I initially wanted when I set out my search but ended up settling for this. My apologizes on accusing you of wanting to use the keyboard while driving. After re-reading your op I didn't see that mentioned like I thought I did before. For charging my phone I use one of these pretty good quality and it comes with a micro usb adapter which i liked since a lot of newer phones are using this. Best wishes on your search!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm..... That combined with the universal mount you posted might actually work nicely. I was concerned about my current HTC car charger as it has a rather long cord. This would likely eliminate that mess. I'll give it a shot. Thanks.
Anyone know where I could find a short miniUSB to USB cable. Something like 2" or so would be fine. This might be able to complete the homebrew mount I'm working on.
Short USB Cable
Amazon.com has a 1ft cable (can't post links yet) and 3 ft cables, although I haven't seen any 2ft cables. If you need 2ft you could pick up a gender changer (also available on amazon) and link two 1ft cables together.
kastg1 said:
Amazon.com has a 1ft cable (can't post links yet) and 3 ft cables, although I haven't seen any 2ft cables. If you need 2ft you could pick up a gender changer (also available on amazon) and link two 1ft cables together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a 2" (inch) cable I am looking for. Thanks anyway, though. I'm hoping I won't have to make one. Making USB cables is not fun.
When is Asus going to start selling OEM parts ? I need multiple sync cables etc.. I would personally tear mine apart and goto town with meter but with out a way to purchase a new one this seems like a dumb idea . I also am looking to make a cable that can attach to dock out, so that i can use it with transformer with out having it docked. Not that it maters but my reason for this is because i am making a custom install using the transformer as the head unit in my ford F-150, and i want to build a swing out keyboard out of center council (for when stationary or for passenger to use of course)
Any how my purpose of this is does anyone know any info on when replacement parts will be made available, or if they have released a pin out on the 40 pin anywhere so i might start building my own? I have tried reaching them on twitter but i have never received a response, on a side note has anyone got the transformer to show up and mount storage on a linux machine ?
I hate windows and so far other than adb push and pull, windows seems to be the only system that works with it
Frys in Arlington tx has the keyboards in stock and the charger brick and cables for forty bucks. They said they will have the USB cables that are six feet long soon too.
thanks ill have to give em a look
t0dbld said:
When is Asus going to start selling OEM parts ? I need multiple sync cables etc.. I would personally tear mine apart and goto town with meter but with out a way to purchase a new one this seems like a dumb idea . I also am looking to make a cable that can attach to dock out, so that i can use it with transformer with out having it docked. Not that it maters but my reason for this is because i am making a custom install using the transformer as the head unit in my ford F-150, and i want to build a swing out keyboard out of center council (for when stationary or for passenger to use of course)
Any how my purpose of this is does anyone know any info on when replacement parts will be made available, or if they have released a pin out on the 40 pin anywhere so i might start building my own? I have tried reaching them on twitter but i have never received a response, on a side note has anyone got the transformer to show up and mount storage on a linux machine ?
I hate windows and so far other than adb push and pull, windows seems to be the only system that works with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to probe the cables, tearing apart a USB 3.0 extension cable and exposing the wires will allow you to tap into the Cable connection
Only thing i could probe was voltage and amperage with my multimeter
I really wish Asus used PDMI connectors
thanks dan but i already know the voltage etc ... thats not what i am looking for (usb 3.0) wont help me at all
t0dbld said:
When is Asus going to start selling OEM parts ? I need multiple sync cables etc.. I would personally tear mine apart and goto town with meter but with out a way to purchase a new one this seems like a dumb idea . I also am looking to make a cable that can attach to dock out, so that i can use it with transformer with out having it docked. Not that it maters but my reason for this is because i am making a custom install using the transformer as the head unit in my ford F-150, and i want to build a swing out keyboard out of center council (for when stationary or for passenger to use of course)
Any how my purpose of this is does anyone know any info on when replacement parts will be made available, or if they have released a pin out on the 40 pin anywhere so i might start building my own? I have tried reaching them on twitter but i have never received a response, on a side note has anyone got the transformer to show up and mount storage on a linux machine ?
I hate windows and so far other than adb push and pull, windows seems to be the only system that works with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
" I also am looking to make a cable that can attach to dock out"
Are you asking about being able to connect USB to the tablet? If so you need to wait for both the next version of honeycomb and the USB adapter from ASus
curious if it is possible
I was interested in this as well. It looks like the contacts required to charge from the touchstone back don't exist on the phone. you'd have to solder contacts onto the pins of the usb port.
Sent from my MB855
so it would be possible?
stu5797 said:
so it would be possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it's possible, but it would not be very economically feasible. You would have to mount the magnets a certain way then make contacts on both the phone and the back. (Unless you want a wire on your cover.) Plus you would have to regulate the power going into the USB connection via bridge/filter. (Or risk it.)
I was really hoping for a better/easier solution. Thanks for the input
Lol. Forgot I had an account. Touchstone modder here.
First, see this post from a while ago on a test I did. Yes it is possible to use the touchstone (on most usb devices). If Govnah gives the correct readings, it should give about 500mAh of current (phone use, even standby will lower this amount. Consider it will get 500mAh if the phone is off). I will review this number when I get home... don't have a touchstone on hand. On vacation for one more week : ). Please copy the link.
forums.precentral.net/2552337-post1.html
Easiest way - if powermat releases a back door for the photon, rip out their internals and replace them with the touchstones.
Second easiest way - steal a right angle USB connector from the EVO or similar powermat back and wire it to the touchstone sticker. I don't own a powermat, but the angle connector simply looks to be the lowest profile micro USB connector. Put a case around your phone and hide the touchstone sticker in there.
PLEASE NOTE - if I remember the pre touchstone sticker and the pixi touchstone sticker have different +/- orientation. Be sure to test first
Hard way, historically done on the EVO 4g and other phones - solder the touchstone sticker to the internals of the phone.
When I say the touchstone sticker, I an referring to the sticker, coil and magnet combo removed from the palm case.
I have a herd of touchstone pucks at home. And in my car. I will absolutely get this working with no internal modification. It might require a $30 case just to steal the USB connector, but that option is up to you.
Why would you want to go through all the trouble if you don't own them already? The touchstone pucks are STILL $5 at verizon's web store... you could put them EVERYWHERE!!!! : D
I've done some work on this modification and hit a wall. I would welcome additional thoughts on this or the Androidcentral.com forum.
The positive and negative contacts were found. However, the voltage is different and this may be an issue.
More details on Androidcentral forums:
I had to add some spaces to the URL below
forums . androidcentral . com / introductions / 112044-photon-touchstone-mod . html
Hello everyone,
I understand that the GPS Dongle for the Prime occupies the ASUS 40-pin, which means it won't allow the dock to be used. I'm just wondering whether it is possible in the future to have a cable with compatible ends at both side? Of course it should be male/female to be used with the dock's left hand side female.
This way, theoretically, I would be a able to use my Prime, dock and the GPS Dongle all together while travelling. But I'm not sure that it's possible, even if such cable exists... sometime in the future.
Probably some of you out there have any opinions regarding this matter.
No cable for this currently exists.
However one could be made, if the connector is a straight pass through then it would work. If the connector however only utilizes certain pins then it would either need to be modified or replaced.
Either way it will take some experimentation.
The easy way for now is to remove the device form the plastic housing and plug it into the dock to see if it works.
flyingwolf said:
No cable for this currently exists.
However one could be made, if the connector is a straight pass through then it would work. If the connector however only utilizes certain pins then it would either need to be modified or replaced.
Either way it will take some experimentation.
The easy way for now is to remove the device form the plastic housing and plug it into the dock to see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I understand that it cannot be done at this moment. But theoretically it might work, right? Or is there something in the dock prevents the GPS to get connected to the Prime? Such thing like, power line (charging) is more priority and is using the same pins?
suroboyo said:
Yes, I understand that it cannot be done at this moment. But theoretically it might work, right? Or is there something in he dock prevents the GPS to get connected to the Prime? Such thing like, power line (charging) is more priority and is using the same pins?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically time travel is possible, anyhing is possible theoretically,
But to answer your question, no there are no pins which share data/power.
The only worry is that the dock female connector may only be power and ground, no data, I know this to not be true as I rooted while in the dock, so all pins pass through from what I can tell.
It looks like for ease of manufacture all o the connectors are the same on the tablet, the dock and the dock plug.
A wire or new housing should be easy enough to fab up.
I will test this tonight.
flyingwolf said:
Theoretically time travel is possible, anyhing is possible theoretically,
But to answer your question, no there are no pins which share data/power.
The only worry is that the dock female connector may only be power and ground, no data, I know this to not be true as I rooted while in the dock, so all pins pass through from what I can tell.
It looks like for ease of manufacture all o the connectors are the same on the tablet, the dock and the dock plug.
A wire or new housing should be easy enough to fab up.
I will test this tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gps dongle doesnt work when plugged into the dock, i tried it and the dongle isnt recognized. The dock doesnt have the proper lines routed to the connector.
bjohnston115 said:
gps dongle doesnt work when plugged into the dock, i tried it and the dongle isnt recognized. The dock doesnt have the proper lines routed to the connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for testing this out.
This means we will need to open the dock and connect the lines that are not connected if we wish for this to work.
Though it seems to me that this may be a specific doc pin being recognized...
bjohnston115 said:
gps dongle doesnt work when plugged into the dock, i tried it and the dongle isnt recognized. The dock doesnt have the proper lines routed to the connector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot...
a little bit pity 'though, since I have a plan to use them all together on the road.
im currently in the process of tracking down which pins are used in the dongle, unfortunately i only have one dock and its too expensive for me to start ripping it apart however hopefully with the information im gathering and information others are gathering we can get a pinout for the dongle as well as the prime and dock to better understand how everything works
I am having difficulty with Asus support. Would like to buy a GPS Dongle if a member does not need it. Thank you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25705747#post25705747
mlee1999 said:
I am having difficulty with Asus support. Would like to buy a GPS Dongle if a member does not need it. Thank you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25705747#post25705747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an extra one i could prolly get to you, you would have to pay for shipping and whatnot.... check your PM's and send me an email.
more experiments
flyingwolf said:
Theoretically time travel is possible, anyhing is possible theoretically,
But to answer your question, no there are no pins which share data/power.
The only worry is that the dock female connector may only be power and ground, no data, I know this to not be true as I rooted while in the dock, so all pins pass through from what I can tell.
It looks like for ease of manufacture all o the connectors are the same on the tablet, the dock and the dock plug.
A wire or new housing should be easy enough to fab up.
I will test this tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one of the SD CARD adapters for the prime (I purchased while waiting for the keyboard). I plugged it into the keyboard power port with an SD CARD inserted and the prime did NOT see it.
I think the port on the keyboard is power only
Ok, i know theres a sticky for the GPS dongle but this isnt one of those "Wheres my dongle" or how to sign up threads so i thought it diserved its own thread. If you have questions about how to acquire a GPS dongle or want to say you got yours or whatever this is NOT the place to do it. See the sticky. kthxbie.
Still with me? Awesome! In having multiple primes i have recieved multiple GPS dongles. Since i rarely use one as it is, let alone them all at once i was wondering what sort of tweaks / hacks / mods have people tried (or wanted to try but were too afraid of screwing up their only dongle) that i might do on my extra one?
I already plan on doing a full teardown, taking highres macro pictures of the connector as well as unsoldering the shielding on the PCB and seeing whats underneath. Anything else you guys can think of?
Im not too worried about ruining the device if it means i can try something cool! Lets hear those ideas!
UPDATE: isolated the dock connector. Thus far with my tester these pins are grounded: (back view)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ G _ G
G _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ G
I know theres an official dock connector thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1630300 but im not sure which pins according to that thread match what i have here.
UPDATE 2: removed dock connector, looks like only the bottom row goes to the dongle, not sure yet if any of the top row go anywhere inside the dongle or if it terminates at the connector. Will continue to test.
UPDATE 3: Ok, uploaded my work for tonight, traced a few of the connections just to see where everything is going. There WERE a couple that were coming out the top row, the two resisters on top, that MIGHT be the trigger to tell the prime its connected to an external device? who knows. anyways, its very late here, i will continue to test as i have time and as people show interest.
UDATE 5/5/2012
Ok, been doing some research and testing and whatnot, i have some very bad news. In order to attach any kind of connector to charge the tablet with the dongle attached it would mean soldering a wire to four of the pins on the connector on the TABLET SIDE of the pcb, UNDERNEATH the connector (the really fine pitch pins). Maybe i will have to take a picture to show what is needed.
Suffice to say chances of a mod that can be completed by most people out there is very low. I will continue to try to find a solution.
The red square shows which pins would need to solder the 15v+, the ground could be soldered to any of the grount points. (+5v to each of the three pins or +15v to all three)
Additionally, i have been doing some work on the pinout, trying to clean up the information we currently have. No offence to bjonston115 but his thread is confusing since every source has pins labled differently and there is info scattered everywhere. Bear with me as i try to sort the mess out and make something we can all use
You are so lucky. Wish I had a spare. My main hope is to determine who makes the connectors (if possible), and what pins are used inside that connector, along with how it's mounted.
My desire, is to procure a connector, to add to the dongle shell, and the wiring, so I can permit the tablet to be charged while the dongle is in use.
When I drive 14 hrs to FL, my battery will run out, mid trip. So far, my only solution is to carry an external GPS to use while the TP charges.
Looking forward to your teardown.
Bob
Images. Took as many pics as i could as i was removing bits n pieces. If you want a picture of a specific part let me know. Pictures uploading, give me a minute or two...
I think a power mod should be straightforward. The dongle shell looks "thick" enough to accomodate a USB female Type A connector, mounted orthogonally. You'd want one with right-angle contacts similar to the one below, so you can let it "bottom out" against far side of the dongle shell. For aesthetics, I'd dremel the opening at the back side of the dongle rather than front, but this depends on your car mount.
The next step is to solder jumper wires from USB's power and ground pins to appropriate pins on 40-pin connector. Since USB adapter for TF101 is same for Prime/300, we can assume pin-out for USB functions is still same. Somebody already posted partial pin-out in another thread.
Soldering to the USB contact isn't a big deal, but to the finer-pitch 40-pin connector would take a bit of finesse.
Note: TF101/201/300 can charge with [email protected]
@pileot: Suggest taking a caliper and measure inner and outer thickness of dongle (ie w/ and w/o the shell thickness).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-USB-sh...ale-socket-Connector-PCB-Socket-/260991770971
unfortunately i dont have access to calipers, far as i can measure outside thickness is about 3/4 maybe slightly less, inside thickness is about 1/8 inches. sorry i cant be more accurate.
im assuming you want to throw a USB on the PCB? im not exactly sure how you want to connect that usb female connector, or what the purpose would be to do so.... Mind explaining just a little more?
Mount: Use dremel to create a rectangular hole (12.5mm x 5.2mm) at the back (or front) of the dongle. Use a short-body USB connector w/ right-angle contact like the previous, and mount it orthogonally, eg perpendicular to dongle facing. I think the short-body one has a length of about 0.5" so it should flush-mount. But if not, having it sticking out a bit isn't a big deal.
Purpose: To charge tablet w/ either [email protected] or [email protected] I would go with the second, since USB car chargers for it are widely available (that's what the iPad uses).
e.mote said:
Note: TF101/201/300 can charge with [email protected]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that the PC USB charge @~500ma takes forever and the TP has to be shut off, but what would the deal be with [email protected]
Would I be able to continue to use it as it charged, or would it need to be shut down too.
I'd probably use a USB 3 connector in place of the pictured USB 2
Thanks for the idea...I never thought of that....now all I got to do is to wait till I get my dongle.
Bob
ahh! makes sense.... sure would be nice if we had a full connector port. Maybe i could make a trip to an electronic component store and pick up some USB connectors.
If you just want to use it for power then dont we just need any sort of connection to the charging ports and the outside of the dongle? It doesnt have to be USB it could be anything as long as you have a male and female connection
pileot said:
unfortunately i dont have access to calipers, far as i can measure outside thickness is about 3/4 maybe slightly less, inside thickness is about 1/8 inches. sorry i cant be more accurate.
im assuming you want to throw a USB on the PCB? im not exactly sure how you want to connect that usb female connector, or what the purpose would be to do so.... Mind explaining just a little more?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a neat tool in Google Play called Smart Tools. Possibly you could get better measurements of the items you want to measure by using the tool, and laying the item right on the screen. I have it installed, and think it was a well done app.
Bob
>I know that the PC USB charge @~500ma takes forever and the TP has to be shut off, but what would the deal be with [email protected]
No idea. That's something you can find out afterward. Having the mod in place won't hurt anything.
My guess is that it should be good enough to at least maintain battery level while on, which would be all that's needed in a car.
>It doesnt have to be USB it could be anything as long as you have a male and female connection.
You can use barrel power connector. But you'd have to make your own power cable, as opposed to using a standard USB cable to connect to the charger. Edit: On second thought, you can use a [email protected] car charger, then get a mating barrel connector.
http://google.com/search?q=12v+1.5a+car+adapter
from what i understand if you have the tablet on and try to charge with 5v it wont even maintain the current battery level. The tablet charges with 15v or something... having a barrel connector would ensure you dont accidentally plug a prime charger into another USB device frying it.
At that point if we could just get the barrel plug right to the power pins, fitting it in should be too hard....I am really interested iin this because I have 2 dongles coming tomorrow annd planned on hacking one....(I got two because one was RMA and they sent me a new one back 2 serials=2 Dongles)
BSMan1011 said:
At that point if we could just get the barrel plug right to the power pins, fitting it in should be too hard....I am really interested iin this because I have 2 dongles coming tomorrow annd planned on hacking one....(I got two because one was RMA and they sent me a new one back 2 serials=2 Dongles)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See edited first post. Because the top row does not go to the back of the PCB and i believe thats where the power is, it would be hard to throw a charging circut in there. I am still working on locating where all the pins in this thing go but it is very tiny, even with my finest nodes to test these circuts its very delicate work.
In the mean time, i will upload what i do have before i go to sleep tonight (maybe in another hour or so) so stay tuned!
Okay I will try and keep updated... if we could get a charging circiut in maybe a true car mount might be a project... at least for me, I already have a tablet window mount and with some changes I could affix a modified dongle at the bottom and just slide prime in for GPS + charging (again if we can get it to work)... I get mine today and disassembly will soon follow so I will post anything else I can to help progress
pileot said:
UDATE 5/5/2012
Ok, been doing some research and testing and whatnot, i have some very bad news. In order to attach any kind of connector to charge the tablet with the dongle attached it would mean soldering a wire to four of the pins on the connector on the TABLET SIDE of the pcb, UNDERNEATH the connector (the really fine pitch pins). Maybe i will have to take a picture to show what is needed.
Suffice to say chances of a mod that can be completed by most people out there is very low. I will continue to try to find a solution.
The red square shows which pins would need to solder the 15v+, the ground could be soldered to any of the grount points. (+5v to each of the three pins or +15v to all three)
)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay first off...have we all decided to stay low until we progress, i don't want this thread to die so soon...secondly...though I am sure you have done you research I still must ask, Are you sure? if we can provide any charge to the prime it will at least help a bit...also does anyone one else have other ideas other than charging?...
one idea I literally just thought of so it is not very thought out is, what if we remove the dongle case( as we have done) and integrate it into case.... we will need one of the 40-pin cables to wire onto it but maybe it could fit into some cases.
I will continue to try to think of more uses and mods and will update, meanwhile I hope that we can get some more input
Hmm, you've made quite a bit of progress there. I really wish I wasn't lazy haha, I need to learn to really work with electrical stuff.
So, then the dongle uses some of the pins that would be used for power from the dock? If the dock can pass power without changing the Prime, I should think the dongle could somehow. I mean, only certain pins are used for data right, so the dock and dongle should use the same ones?
Ok, firstly. Yes, im sure. Im sure of the pin placement and based on the best available information scattered around the internet, i know which pins the charger uses and i know where they are located on the dongle. I also know there is very little access to them (as seen in the pictures in OP)
as to integrating the dongle INSIDE the prime casing you would, essentially, be succoming to the same problem the internal antennas have: Metal blocking the signal. Sure its a more powerfull antenna however its encased in PLASTIC not metal, the signal it recieves is a lot stronger and there is less EMI caused by the metalic back plate. Short: Yes you can, no you dont want to.
Finally, the pins the prime uses to draw power are different than the pins the charger uses to supply power. Think one lane dirt road vs a 6 lane highway. On the highway you have dedicated lanes for traffic going in different directions. this is similar to how the prime dock connector works, the prime can turn off power to different connections depending if there is something plugged in reducing the chance of a short, spark, or power drain.
Hopefully this addressed your concerns, maybe when i have apropriate tools handy and a bit of time i may try soldering a connection to the dock connector and see how it functions but as you can see its REALLY tight. I will do my best, no promises.
I also plan, in the near future, to locate more of the data pins, see whats going on, maybe we can make a USB adapter for the dongle and use it in other devices as well! who knows, im thinking it just uses a standard USB interface but it will take more digging.
Subscribed as I see no need for the dongle unless you have enough power.
Though I was pretty sure you were sure I just wanted to ask.... but you did misinterpret my idea, I do not mean the Prime's casing but rather integrating the gps into a case which holds the prime...This is not to say that the gps is big or in the way but just an idea i had to help people with cases and a use for the gps, but since the usb uses different pins that looks unlikely as well i guess...well I will stay updated and if I learn anything I will post.
I would be more interested in adding a power jack of some sort to the dongle. So you can charge while using navigation. I already can not use my dock while plugged into the dongle. We need power!