Summer Project - Nexus 7 Car install Build Log

[amintha1992]

 

I drive a Honda Fit(2013) and I have been planing to do this project for some time. i have already ordered the parts that I HAVE to use like the cars Dashboard kit and the harness.

here are the parts I'm going to use and the reason for using that. I'm trying to do this with the least amount of money spent and end up creating a reliable setup at the end.

 

Nexus 7 (2013)

I already have one and its easy to mod with kernels and other software is readily available.

It will run a Custom Kernel that supports a bunch of things that I need.

 

Software mods on N7

ElementalX Kernal

 

auto boot-up on power using this 

==> sets device to auto power on instead of charging

 

fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0

==> sets device back to original setting

fastboot oem off-mode-charge 1

 

Tasker Settings for the Tablet

here are the Profiles that I use.

 

NO Power Any (there is no power connected)

Power Any (any kind of power is connected)

Night time Driving mode( from 6:30 to 5am)

 

 

Tasks for the No Power Any Profile

Make sure to install the plugin "secure Settings"

 

 

now the settings for when the power comes back on.

 

 

Here are the settings that will lower the screen brightness when its dark outside.

 

Start with this

 

 

and end with this

 

OTG-Y cable

Ok so there are some OTG-Y cable that might work for this project but Im going to make my own using a OTG cable that i already have. ill be using this Diagram for reference.

This cable will be able to provide power to the Tablet while its in OTG host mode. 

 

Powered USB Hub

This is no brainier. This is the easiest way to connect multiple USB devises that need power to a tablet. I have not selected one yet. if you have any ideas please let me know.

 

FM Tuner

Since the Nexus 7 does not have a FM tuner(unlike other Android deceives) ill be using a USB FM tuner because i cant be listing to my own music all the time.

something like THIS will work just fine. ill be using a App to play the radio. 

 

Reverse Camera + USB capture 

so after a lot of research, there is no graceful way of doing this, when using a Android tablet. but i will be using a s-video to USB Dongle and a Backup camera off of Ebay. but i have not yet decided which one yet. 

 

Update: hardware selection

 

I think i will go with a USB video capture card like this one

image

 

and then connect a reverse camera like this one

image

 

 

 

Extra USB 

this will be a external port that i can plug in a thumb drive.

 

NFC thingamajig

 

Explained!!!

So i have a Sony Bluetooth speaker that has a NFC chip for easy connection. and it also have a switch to turn off connection via NFC. I opened it up and saw that the NFC chip have a break in the circuit and its connected to the switch. when the switch is in OFF the NFC chip stops working. 

 

with that in mind i thought if I can program a NFC chip to open the reverse cam app and have the reverse light activate it and deactivate it.

 

I'm hoping to achieve this with a nPn transistor acting as a switch that is controlled by the reverse light. im still not sure exactly what parts im going to use but that is the main idea. 

 

After some research, i think its better to use a solid state relay or a voltage controlled switch to turn on and off the NFC tag. Mainly because it will separate the two circuits instead of making connect to each other. if solid state relays are going to be too expensive i guess ill go back to a mechanical relay. 

 

ill be using Tasker to open the app and ill set up the following conditions to get it working(might change in the future)

 

When NFC detected, open the app.

run for 30 secs

start end sequence, check for NFC again.

if NFC is still preset, stop end sequence. and repeat from beginning.

if not close app.

 

this will allow me to now touch the tablet when im driving to open and close the video app all the time. and it also helps with the millisecond turning on of the reverse light when putting the car to D. 

 

TLDR? here is the short version. "ITS COMPLICATED"

 

 

 

Software and Apps

Custom kernel

Tasker

Live radio app(cant remember the name)

app for Backup camera

 

 

 

Sources and inspiration

XDA project

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2103183

 

Youtube Project Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkjZawkhlIJQoWd24v5LxZwsS5ohyRKm8

 

 

<h2><a id="update2">Update with pics</a></h2> 

Update with pics

Mounting the tablet to the dash

 

test fitting with tape

 

 

Making brackets to hold the tablet in place

 

 

 

Here is the dash with all the brackets glued in. I have added 2 brackets that will have a cross brace that will hold the tablet tight to the kit.

 

Getting the Amp ready for installation

 

 

 

 

I have to extend the amps volume control to the dash. so im using a Ethernet cable to extend 6 wires that is connecting the potentiometer to the PCB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wiring the 5v power supply

 

 

 

 

 

All parts before installing

complete wire harnes

amp with extended volume knob

amp installed in its place

 

 

all fitted in

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

Sounds pretty sweet, looking foward to an update!

[amintha1992]

Sounds pretty sweet, looking foward to an update!

yes me too... i just realized how big this project is after typing out this post. i got a bunch of work cut out for me.

[ApolloX75]

Nice! Following for sure, I have been thinking of doing something similar in my Firebird when time/money permit.

[amintha1992]

Update: NFC Explanation

 

So i have a Sony Bluetooth speaker that has a NFC chip for easy connection. and it also have a switch to turn off connection via NFC. I opened it up and saw that the NFC chip have a break in the circuit and its connected to the switch. when the switch is in OFF the NFC chip stops working.

 

which that in mind i thought if I can program a NFC chip to open the reverse cam app and have the reverse light activate it and deactivate it.

 

I'm hoping to achieve this with a nPn transistor acting as a switch that is controlled by the reverse light. im still not sure exactly what parts im going to use but that is the main idea. 

 

ill be using Tasker to open the app and ill set up the following conditions to get it working(might change in the future)

 

When NFC detected, open the app.

run for 30 secs

start end sequence, check for NFC again.

if NFC is still preset, stop end sequence. and repeat from beginning.

if not close app.

 

this will allow me to now touch the tablet when im driving to open and close the video app all the time. and it also helps with the millisecond turning on of the reverse light when putting the car to D. 

 

thats about it. for today. im hoping to get the electronic components for the OTG+charge with in this week if time permits.  

[amintha1992]

Update: Reverse Camera options

 

I think i will go with a USB video capture card like this one

 

and then connect a reverse camera like this one

 

[amintha1992]

Update : Ill be doing a test fit soon.

 

it seems that ill be getting the dashboard kit today or tomorrow. and when i do get ill be doing a test fit and use it for a couple of days just to see how it holds up.

 

i will not be adding the reverse camera and the FM tuner yet(mostly because the parts are not finalized)

 

but i will have tablet running with everything else.

 

ill be doing a small update again with all the Tasker settings that im using. later in the day.

[amintha1992]

Big Update : All them settings for Tasker.

 

here are the Profiles that I use.

 

NO Power Any (there is no power connected)

Power Any (any kind of power is connected)

Night time Driving mode( from 6:30 to 5am)

 

 

Tasks for the No Power Any Profile

Make sure to install the plugin "secure Settings"

 

 

now the settings for when the power comes back on.

 

 

Here are the settings that will lower the screen brightness when its dark outside.

 

Start with this

 

 

and end with this

[amintha1992]

I know its been a while.... but... I HAVE A LOT OF PHOTOS....

I have posted all the photos that i have up to this point.

tablet is in, and its working.

Now im waiting for the FM tuner and a specific OTG cable to install that.

ill be posting that when it happens. enjoy.

[bcredeur97]

this is so cool... it looks factory lol

 

 

what car is that btw?

[amintha1992]

Honda Fit 2013

this is so cool... it looks factory lol

 

 

what car is that btw?