[Aborted] Wireless Charging - Ornate TrueSmart

Following a post on G+ about getting wireless charging on TS https://plus.google.com/u/0/113668328412632358673/posts/AAQL8jJUdfm, I decided to record my investigations in this area.
I'll map my thoughts and experiences as I go - at the moment, I dont have wireless charging, and the final outcome may be naff, but it might inspire others.
Indeed, I couldnt even get my TS to charge outside of the cradle (documented in the post entitled SUUNTO charger), nonetheless, lets persevere.
Some things needed -
QI wireless charging base = transmitter.
QI wireless foil = receiver. This is can be got on eBay or Amazon, and is the bit that provided power to your battery. There are several sizes (mostly for branded phones) and typically fit inside a phones case, or behind the back if the phone has a removable back. You need to find the smallest available that will deliver 500mA at 5V. The ones Ive obtained so far are too big, and I may end up trimming the non-functional area to get it to fit.
Some clever way of attaching the receiver to the TS or cradle (WIP) - its possible to solder the receiver to either the TS or cradle, but we need to keep it detachable so the USB port can be used.
Some observations -
Because the TS cant lie flat, due to the wrist strap/band holding antennas not flexing horizontally, having the ability to just place the TS on a charging plate may be a non starter. [Maybe we could tolerate the foil flapping open, or being hinged to 180 degrees when charging].
As the TS has an Alu or steel back, thus creating wireless interference or insulation, having the receiver inside the TS may be a non starter.
Before I go down the route of trying to get a receiver behind inside the TS itself, (which would entail opening it up and voiding the warranty ) Im going to look at getting it to work via the charging cradle.
The inside of the cradle offers more space to get a receiver foil in, looks as though it could be done without serious soldering work or permanent damage. However, the only advantage is that it only dispenses with the USB cable - the TS still has to be placed inside the cradle.
The attached pics show the cradle components.
More posts to come later, reserving a few spots below for updates.
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Reserved 1
This picture shows the underside of the USB connector. It appears there are two resistors (the tiny rectangle surface mount components) - I guess these are creating a voltage divider to put +2.8V and +2.1V to the centre two pins. This doesnt seem to materially affect just applying 0v and +5V to the outer two though.
View attachment 2891869

Prototypes
What Im doing isnt really rocket science - Im just plugging in QI receivers to the TS. This successfully chargers the TS wirelessly, but as you can see, is not practical.
Hopefully I can find a way of making this neat, but I fear that, as I mentioned before, because the strap doesnt bend, you cant lay the TS flat.

Giving Up
With some judicious trimming of the receiver foil (after separating the liner), I was able to get it to fit inside the TS cradle.
However, the thickness of the plastic of the cradle base means the charging current wont reach the receiver. I even shaved off some of the extraneous mouldings on the base to try and get the receiver closer. I think if I persevered, and scraped into the base itself, it might work. With the extra moulding removed, I sometime get a hint of a blue charging light on my ZENS charging pad, but it never sticks.
If I could get this working, I would be faced with the last hurdle, which I fear is unsurmountable - the inability of the strap to bend. I would need a charging 'block' rather than a pad. Something that was less than 45mm between the straps. From what I can find, there aren't any; the smallest (without too much searching admittedly) was 90mm.
So this, and the fact that I couldn't find a foil small enough to go inside the TS itself, plus the TS case having the same interference problem as the cradle, means Im going to stop here.
It was a small, fun, diversion, and it would have been nice to get it working, but the retail products, and my engineering/manufacturing skills, don't exist to get us there.

Related

Boxwave HTC Wizard docking station review.

This is my first post after lurking for a while, normally it would be a question, but instead I have decided to post a mini-review of the Boxwave docing station.
The Boxwave Wizard docking station is a good looking, well packaged unit. It includes a wall charger and has a built in USB cable. The unit it self comes in two pieces. The construction seems very good, with no gaps in the plastic seams. It is rather light and moves on the desk easily. It would have been nice if Boxware would have weighted the base more and/or included feet that were made of stickier rubber to prevent the movement.
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The two pieces are the base unit and a clear backrest that just snaps into place. When the unit is plugged into an active USB port or the included power adapter is plugged in, a blue LED inside the base shines up through the clear backrest. It is one of those unnecessary features that add a nice touch to the look of the unit.
Placing the Wizard in the cradle is a straightforward affair. Just angle the unit to match the backrest and slide it down over the USB plug that sticks out from the bottom of the cradle. To remove, I have found it a little easier to tilt the unit forward a few degrees and then pull up on the Wizard. When the Wizard is in the cradle it will sit back about 15 degrees allowing you to easily see the screen from your desk chair.
While you can slide the Wizard open sitting in the Boxwave cradle, you cannot really use it to type as there is no facility to turn the cradle on it's side. The steep angle also prevents comfortable use for prolonged periods of time.
The Wizard will charge with just the USB cable plugged in although it will be slower than when the power adapter is plugged into the cradle.
Overall, I would rate this cradle as 'must have' accessory for the Wizard for those that need access to both charging and syncing and access to the Wizard screen all at the same time, without taking up too much desk space.
There is now a USB cradle that keeps the unit open or closed at keyboard horizontally for around US$29.
See PocketSolutions.com. I have no commercial or other interest in this site.
Cy
I have both cradles, and for my Cingular 8125, the horizontal cradle was a bit scary to use--the rubber strip on the 8125's back was thick and grippy enough that the unit required an uncomfortable amount of force to seat in or remove from the cradle.
By way of contrast, I *love* the vertical Boxwave cradle. I've used it daily for over a month.
-Rich
Echoloc8 said:
I have both cradles, and for my Cingular 8125, the horizontal cradle was a bit scary to use--the rubber strip on the 8125's back was thick and grippy enough that the unit required an uncomfortable amount of force to seat in or remove from the cradle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you describe how the USB port gets connected on the horizontal cradle? I looked at the photos on the website and it doesn't show how how it clips in and I can't imagine how it's done.
pterrell said:
Echoloc8 said:
I have both cradles, and for my Cingular 8125, the horizontal cradle was a bit scary to use--the rubber strip on the 8125's back was thick and grippy enough that the unit required an uncomfortable amount of force to seat in or remove from the cradle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you describe how the USB port gets connected on the horizontal cradle? I looked at the photos on the website and it doesn't show how how it clips in and I can't imagine how it's done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USB port is inside the right-hand side of the cradle. You have to slide in the 8125 from the left, and it DOES take some lining up of the port and clip to seat it correctly.
I've had this cradle for over 3 months. Other than having to take an extra couple of seconds to make sure the USB port is lined up to the clip, I have absolutely no issues at all with it. I don't even mind using the 8125 in the horizontal (landscape mode -- actually gives me "hands-free" access to the keyboard to enter data).
I keep my 8125 hooked into the cradle all night and "grab-'n-go" on my way to work in the morning. Does a GREAT job of charging!!

Car fitment/usb cable/adapters

I have a small cradle placed at the lower left corner of the windshield in my car.
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This arrangement worked quite well with the original evo since the power connector was at the bottom.
The new evo now has it on the side.
If you notice above, the flat spot of the connector is nearest the screen, not the bottom of the device.
Since I don't want to strain the existing cable or put additional strain on the jack, a 90 deg micro usb cord/adapter is necessary.
I found this on ebay -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-degree-r...976119?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item256fc511f7
OR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-5..._USB_Cables_Hubs_Adapters&hash=item41642d957a
This item appears to accept a micro usb and is just a dongle for micro usb to 90 deg micro usb.
Finally, a bit pricey, but will allow you to use a mini usb cable instead.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-mini-5p...689104?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5ae6e2f0d0
I just ordered the 2nd one from the bottom as I already have a straight micro usb cable already routed in the car.
I'm open to any other suggestions. The part above should work, but if it doesn't, it's only $3 dollars.
Just wanted to give a small update.
The dongle ordered on ebay from china arrived the other day. Total length is about a foot.
It fits the car mount very well, is not in the way, and puts the least amount of strain on the phone's connect. Here' s a pic of the mount i'm using.
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4020/63304416.jpg
i bought a completely new cable with the right angle connector so i could avoid the extra bulk of using an adaptor:
It's also available in LEFT ANGLE if you want the cable to come down instead of going up.
at Amazon in various lengths:
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-3-Fe...HJDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338677526&sr=8-1
Actually, I had the cable just the right length for the old evo 4g. With the new one and the side, it wasn't long enough to reach. With this dongle/extension, there's plenty of length and slack.
lacrossev said:
i bought a completely new cable with the right angle connector so i could avoid the extra bulk of using an adaptor:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which dock is this?
^^That looks like a proclip mount.
You buy it in two parts, one that custom fits the car, the other the device.
http://www.proclipusa.com/
Too pricey for me though.
Which clip is that? I also have a ProClipUSA car adapter and phone adapter for my original EVO. I also have a body protector similar to what is pictured. So, what phone mount is that being used that can be used with the new EVO LTE?
the part that is attached to the car is indeed proclip, however the mount that the phone goes in to is from slipgrip. I used the ball joint from my old proclip touchpro 2 mount and made some light mods and screwed it in to the slipgrip mount. They do it for naked devices or in this case the sprint silicone sleeve. Used to have one for my ballistic HC evo 4g and it was excellent.
This 2 part mount (seen in first post) from arkon works great for the windshield mount.
http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-MG178-U...9K2E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338783678&sr=8-1
The part the holds the phone also has a socket hole to accept a 1/2" hole. Same size as used by garmin windshield/bean bag mounts. The holder is spring loaded and opens up to accept a rather wide device (specs on the arkon site). It is designed to grasp the phone in portrait mode, however can be rotated 360 deg to what ever position is appropriate.
Cool! Thanks guys! I'm thinking of turning my old EVO into a DashCam, and now I know I can get a SlipGrip mount for my new EVO with its case protector still on! Bonus: I get to still use my ProClipsUSA car mount!
I had a great ProClip mount for my Evo4G - it had a built in MicroUSB connector so I just slide the phone in and it was on charge. I modified it with a dremel and took the bottom off, then stretched it out until it could hold the EvoLTE. Not as elegent, but works until ProClip comes out with a mount designed for this phone.
I'll upload a picture next time I'm in the car.

Deff High Performance Magnetic USB Convertor Jack For Sony Xperia Z1/Z2/Z3 REVIEW !!

Deff High Performance Magnetic Style USB Convertor Jack For Sony Xperia Z1/Z2/Z3 Review !!!
Deff magnetic charging Adapter for micro USB cable is an aftermarket connector for some xperia devices. It has enhanced magnetic connection and charging Speed to make an easy and fast way to charge a device. At the moment it can only be order through amazon or some Chinese and Japanese site like eBay for $15.
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What you get !!!
You can charge your Xperia Z1 / Z2 without opening the terminal cover.
Just attach this product to the tip of your micro USB cable, it will turn into a useful charging cable
Provides you a "quick connect" chargeable option without opening the cover each time.
Prevent getting moisture due to incomplete lid because you don't need to take it off.
Terminal is equipped with reverse protection which energizes only when there is a correct connection.
PROS
· The magnet is definitely strong enough to hold the phone in the air and it fits well on the port.
· There is good clearance between the phone and the adapter to have a case on and still be able to use it.
· Is affordable and so far it works.
· It seems to have a good build quality.
CONS
· You CAN”T talk on the phone while charging because the cable eventually falls to side and disconnects.
· You have to keep it in a flat surface in order to work best.
· If at all possible a thinner cable would work best because a stiff cable seems to disconnect it if it gets touch or moved.
Final thoughts
This adapter seems to be a good way to keep the flap on the charging port from opening and closing so much. I think is a good product if you’re willing to spend $15 on it and wait two weeks. I will test the charging speed and voltage and update later!!!!
is the magnet strong enough to hold the phone by itself?
sorry just noticed the pros
3x3cUt0r said:
is the magnet strong enough to hold the phone by itself?
sorry just noticed the pros
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does I will take a picture tomorrow it seem to charge the phone a bit faster too. Im going to be doing some tests in the next couple days!!!
just go for the magnector X2 adapter on amazon
I ended up purchasing this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RLOO4KA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
It's cheap and fits in with the Z3, and looks sleek,
Hussain_Salam said:
I ended up purchasing this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RLOO4KA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
It's cheap and fits in with the Z3, and looks sleek,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a lot of people are buying this particular adapter, can you use it with the case on with out disconnecting?
eventually falls to side and disconnects? Does it mean it is not tight?
PipoyKalbo said:
eventually falls to side and disconnects? Does it mean it is not tight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is tight, but if you have a very stiff cable like mine and I use the one that came with the phone it does disconnect if you pick up the phone while charging. I can see how a thinner cable could work.
I also think if the magnet was stronger than what it currently is you may take the risk of pulling the whole port out after everyday or every other day use !!!!

Gear S back and charger redesigned by Samsung to solve breaking problem

After studying a Gear S bought in December in the US and a newer Gear S bought this week in Canada I believe Samsung have rather quickly initiated a running design change to solve the broken charger issue common to the initial design of Samsung Gear S watches.
The problem was this:
The top lip (nearest the thumb lever furthest from the charging pins) wears out or breaks off because the human thumb has a natural rotational angel when applying pressure to the thumb tab. This natural rotation forces the charger downward and because the bottom lip is on the outside, not the inside it, it cannot help hold the charger in place. The result is the slight downward movement of the charger causes increased pressure on the upper lip as it is forced against that from which it is trying to be pried off of. This constant grinding and increased pressure exceeds the initial design spec for the lip and eventually wears out the lip or breaks it off entirely.
The solution was to redesign the back casing of the watch with a small groove at the bottom and a matching sturdy protruding tab on the bottom of the charger. This tab fits tightly inside the watch grove when attached to the watch thus not allowing the charger to move downward when being pried off by your thumb at the top which in turn relieves the excess pressure on the upper lip.
I guess we will see how effective this fix is, but from the 5 broken charges I viewed all of them were the older design with no slot and tab.
I suspect that if you have the original version of this watch that you can avoid breaking the lip by pulling the watch off from the middle by prying it with your fingernails on each side thereby avoiding these rotational forces on either the upper or lower lip.
I also assume that Samsung will in the future releasing a fix whereby you can send the watch in for a new charger and a new watch back plate to solve this defect for early adopters. The louder you complain the more likely this will happen. Depending on what stock levels have been like in the US you may have these new designs in store there now. Canada didn't get the Gears S as quickly as the US so I am not sure if we got many of the old designs here in the first place.
Hmm, my AT&T launch day watch has the grove on the watch and the tab on the charger. So, I'm not sure this is the new design.
EDIT: Samsung USA has all four carrier variants using the same charging dock and the picture shows this
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which is not the same as what I got when I purchased mine at the launch day. So what I got is what described above in OP. The charger dock as pictured above won't fit my watch as it has a tab on top of the speaker port which my watch doesn't have a grove for it.
Just ordered a backup charger dock today since it is in stock after being back ordered for a very long time. It will be interesting to see which version I will get.
The one you have pictured is not the new design, I will take a picture of the tab and slot later this evening when I get home and upload it. The new version requires an updated Gear S watch backplate with a cutout slot. The new version has the slot very very close and directly below the bottom lip.
That's what I said. It appears that mine is the 'new' version and I bought it @11/7/2014 launch day in US. So I'm not sure that 'new' design made any difference to its durability.
foxbat121 said:
That's what I said. It appears that mine is the 'new' version and I bought it @11/7/2014 launch day in US. So I'm not sure that 'new' design made any difference to its durability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are pictures added as attachments of the new charger with tab in a new location at the bottom and the back of the watch with a new slot at the bottom.
ShotEm said:
Here are pictures added as attachments of the new charger with tab in a new location at the bottom and the back of the watch with a new slot at the bottom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this "new" design and broken charger... so it haven't helped...
That's exactly like mine.
yes mine looks this way too, and I got it right after launch.. I don't think that's "new"
However, I have no problems and have not broken my charger.
I wrote about this topic and added photos here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-s/general/samsung-gear-s-charging-cradles-t3046489
My question is: were some Gear S watches made where the back of the watch has a long groove at the top (near the speaker port) and does not have the shorter groove at the very bottom (below the charging pins)?
If the Gear S was made with different backs, then they will only work with specific charging cradles.
The back of my Gear S (T-Mobile USA) does not have a long groove near the speaker port, so this is why one of the charging cradles did not fit/click on my Gear S.

wireless charger

i found a qi charging reciever that delivers a 1000ma output which i suppose will work.
it shows a height on the pad to be about 9mm.
does anyone have any experience using the wireless chargers with this phone?
i know i can build a dock pretty easily, so building a receiver might not be that hard either, but id rather modify something that works already and then reverse engineer from there.
The receivers are generic now and can be found for under $10. It looks like the G4 Plus is an ideal candidate for one since the back cover pops off and also the MicroUSB port is right at the edge of the cover. I've seen someone post a video on YouTube of a G4 Plus with one of these installed.
The 2 concerns I have:
- In the YouTube video the person showed that the back cover didn't close 100% near the MicroUSB port. I imagine this might differ between receivers and could be worked around by using a knife and making the opening around the MicroUSB a hint bigger. It is just the back cover after all... easily replaced.
- When you have one of these plugged in, it occupies the MicroUSB port, which means no more Turbo Charging or PC access without a hassle. Since I would like to retain those features and also since I have backed ZNAPS on kickstarter, this is a deal breaker for me.
I plan to get one of these and solder it to the internal side of the MicroUSB port. That works around both of my concerns (but would void warranty).
I have one of those receiving adapters in my drawer, and two Qi chargers, from my previous phone. Wasted money.
The receiver gets hot while delivering the charging current. They are installed on top of the battery - battery that gets hot anyway during charging.
Cumulative heating effect will lead to shorter battery life span or even worse (fires).
In my experience the G4 Plus gets a lot less warm than most others when charging (and in general) so I'm not too worried about that. In my case the wireless charger would really only be used to maintain 100% while working.
had a qi receiver still lying around and just tried this. Works well and the battery case doesn't stick up any more than without the pad. the flat ribbon cable fits right under the case. I cut away the bulky side edges of the plug itself to make it as small as possible. Charging works. I have not tested how fast it is and how warm it gets. Over the period of 15min it didn't get warm at all, but I'm sure that charging is slow.
Purchased on Amazon:
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I have tested several Wireless chargers for my N4 and S7 Edge and Nexus 7, some dose get warmer than others..
So an important thing is to get the right charger or a fan by your charger if you are councered. Otherwize i love WC and have orderd a WC reciver for my G4 plus.
But All phones do get a bit warmer with WC. ..
Samsungs fast WC have a built in fan. I dont use any phones without WC now a days, once you get use to it its great.
derausgewanderte said:
had a qi receiver still lying around and just tried this. Works well and the battery case doesn't stick up any more than without the pad. the flat ribbon cable fits right under the case. I cut away the bulky side edges of the plug itself to make it as small as possible. Charging works. I have not tested how fast it is and how warm it gets. Over the period of 15min it didn't get warm at all, but I'm sure that charging is slow.
Purchased on Amazon:




Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much time it takes to have a full charge ?
smdv123 said:
How much time it takes to have a full charge ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, only saw this now. Too slow compared to a regular charger. Maybe it was intermittently charging. I gave up on it. No overheating though.
derausgewanderte said:
Sorry, only saw this now. Too slow compared to a regular charger. Maybe it was intermittently charging. I gave up on it. No overheating though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use something like this to protect my usb port.not wireless but ok ° magnet
https://www.amazon.de/ELEGIANT-Ladekabel-Charger-Netzteil-Motorola/dp/B00R7VYXH6
Hi there!
I am planing to solder this pas directly to the battery cord.
Do you think it will work well? Or do i brick my phone?
As you can see, i removed the plastic cover. So i can replace the battery without anny tool in the future (swaped the old battery with an fresh original one).

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