My Digital Life

Sony VAIO P Power Plug Travelling Solution

In my continuing quest to minimize what electronics I travel with, cords and power supplies are a big target. I thought I had found a great compromise with the iGo Juice system which allowed me to charge my laptop and gadgets with on power brick. Unfortunately it does not support the Sony VAIO P and although the VAIO P's power brick is small, jamming all of the required cables in my accessory case can be a pain. After reading some posts on the pocketables.net VAIO P forum, someone mentioned using an Apple style AC plug rather than the AC cord. This is a great solution since it takes up less room than the cord, but Apple charges $39 for a set of 5 international plugs (a pretty ridiculous $7.80 per plug). I found a knockoff on eBay for $11 which includes a USB power supply. It works well and the US plug folds to save even more room.

The eBay Apple World adapter knockoff kit with the USB power charger (left). The US foldable plug is attached to the VAIO P power brick. For now I have no need for the power charger but you never know. Bottom line the price was right.

Mobile Phone Charger Standardization; Good for the Consumer and Environment

Europe is blazing the trail trying to eliminate the dearth of incompatible chargers which eventually end up in landfills by cajoling the top 10 mobile device manufacturers (Nokia, RIM, Apple, Motorola, Sony Ericson, Samsung, etc) into adopting the Micro USB plug as the standard charger interface to smartphones. Most of today's smartphones use the Mini USB plug as the charging and data interface so why did they choose Micro USB.

• Size; because the Micro USB connector is smaller is offers manufacturers more options as devices get smaller and/or thinner.
• Durability; interesting enough the Micro USB connector can withstand 10,000 cycles of insertion and removal compared to 500 for Mini USB connector (Wikipedia). I can vouch for that having experience connector failure on multiple devices with Mini USB connectors.

Another benefit to manufacturer will be the cost savings of not having to include a charger with the device.

Some of the USB connectors from left to right; Micro B plug (Micro USB), Mini B plug (Mini USB), Type B plug, Type A receptacle, and Type A plug.

What will manufacturers with proprietary connectors like Apple's 30 pin dock connectors do? My sense is that they will provide an adapter, since like Apple most manufacturers want to keep control of accessories.

I have used single charger solution from iGo (laptops and mobile devices) and Gomadic (mobile devices) for a while and have been very happy to just purchase replaceable tips every time I acquire a new device with a different charging connector. The iGo is the most versatile using a power brick to charge my laptop and mobile device using AC, DC (car), or aircraft power. The Gomadic's wall charger and DC car adapters are smaller to travel with if you are only taking your mobile devices. Overtime this standardization could spell doom for these vendors, however I think we are a ways away from that…

Source: http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20090629/tc_nm/us_telecom_eu_mobile

BMW E53 X5 iPhone Snap In adapter installation

The BMW snap in adapter concept which allows you to swap it for different phones is excellent, however they never envisioned the iPhone's width when they designed the E53 X5 eject box (snap in adapter fits into the eject box). This means that the iPhone snap in adapter (part no 84 10 9 182 792) fits into the eject box, however the iPhone is to wide to fit into the combination snap in/eject box. The only option is to trim the eject box's side walls as reported in this X5 forum post. The problem is that trimming the walls can be a tricky process which I was not comfortable attempting, however Matt at 2point5 (the makers of the spec doc) has the required skills and equipment to do a great job.

 

The customized eject box with the snap in adapter installed. The red arrow points to the trimmed side walls.

 

The eject box, snap in adapter and my iPhone 3G installed in my X5 center console. The snap in adapter charges my iPhone 3G. It is too bad the iPhone does not have an external antenna to make use of the X5's cell antenna. The iPhone connects via BMW's 13th generation ULF Bluetooth unit (part no 84 10 9 154 358) which works perfectly.

BMW E53 X5 iPhone 3G integration Part 2 - the installation

Part 1 overview

First off; I want to thank all of the BMW enthusiasts out there for all the information they post on the forums, especially x5world. Without the information and responses on these sites I would never have attempted the upgrades to my X5.

For this project I used the instructions provided with the spec dock and this installation post on xoutpost. As with any project I adapted the information to meet my needs. I will document the changes I made to fit my needs.

I tested the configuration before performing any installation. I found two issues with the Intravee II:

1. There was excessive noise while playing the audio
2. The screen display was not stable

After searching the Intravee forum and emailing support (I received a response within the day) two fixes solved the problems:

1. Since I have a BMW Sirius receiver, the Intravee II requires a jumper to be reset. There are four screws to remove and the jumper block in question is closest to the audio connector. With the audio connector towards the top of the unit, move the jumper from the pins on the right to the pins on the left of the 4 pin 'block'.
2. I needed to upgrade the Intravee firmware to  version 5.40-323. The upgrade process is a bit convoluted but if you follow the instructions carefully you should not have any issues.

With those issues behind me, I was ready to move on to the physical installation. The first step was to install the spec dock by following the included instructions. My only comment on the instructions is that with the auto transmission I did not need to lift the shifter trim out of the way. I was able to thread the cable through to the side from the ashtray compartment.

 

View from the passenger side.

 

Cable coming from the ashtray compartment. I plugged the Ridax charge converter into spec dock cable and the CableJive 6 foot extension cable into the other end of the charge converter. I then ran the cable assembly in a gap under the console. The x5forum instructions are for a Dension install, but they are invaluable in order to pass the cables through the cabin. The hardest part of the install is running the cable under the molded carpet in front of the rear seat.

I only pushed the carpet out of the way on the driver's side. After removing the carpet trim on the center console and slitting the carpet with a utility knife, I was able to thread the end of the CableJive extension under the carpet. I was able to pass several inches of the cables, I then fashioned a wire with a hook out of a hanger, and by sliding my hand under the molded carpet from the door, I was able to hook the cable and pull it towards me (it took several attempts). I then connected that end of the cable to the Alpine KCA-420i iPod cable.

 

I mounted the Alpine KCA-420i and the Intravee II upside down above the Navigation computer. I used double sided heavy duty tape. I made sure the Intravee II serial port was exposed so that I could easily perform firmware upgrades.

 

The iPhone 3G charging in the spec dock. Without the Apple inserts, the iPhone fits easily with its silicone jacket which is great.

 

The iPhone 3G and the Intravee II display on the Navigation system.

 

The spec dock with my iPod 5G.

The whole process took about 2 and 1/2 hours which is not bad and as a disclaimer when you perform these upgrades you do it on your own and assume any risks.

If anyone is interested in my Dension Icelink unit for $50 please email me at steve (at) mydigitallife (.) us. It works fine and I would especially recommend it for a non NAV installation. Before you email me, you should be comfortable with installing electronics. Since Dension is out of business support will be an issue and I am selling it as is.

BMW E53 X5 iPhone 3G integration Part 1

This year's Christmas project on my X5 was to upgrade the integration between my iPod 5G and iPhone 3G. I originally installed a Dension interface to my iPod 5G then the iPhone, although it provides basic iPod functionality, the NAV screen integration was less than optimal with scrolling text which changed character size based on the length being displayed. I think the unit was better suited for display on the ODB display below the instrument cluster or the non NAV radio. Dension went out of business and Dice became the leader in 3rd party iPod integration, however Dice does not provide any real advantage over my original Dension other than the text scrolling issue is resolved.

Over the last year I found another solution; the Intravee II at bimmernav.com. The Intravee II uses Alpine AI-Net technology to bridge the iPod's controls, audio, and text to BMW's iBus. Leveraging all the work Alpine put into AI-Net is brilliant and the ability to display information using the entire NAV screen rather than just the banner lines makes the Intravee II the standout iPod integration for BMW's iBus cars. The only downsides are:

1. The cost, since you need to purchase the Intravee II and an Alpine AI-NET device.
2. The Alpine AI-NET adapter I needed does not provide the USB 5V charging voltage required by the iPhone 3G and newer iPods. The fix for this issue is to purchase a Ridax charge converter.

My next problem was the location the iPhone. When I installed the Dension solution, I placed the iPod dock connector in the arm rest storage bin. I could hide my iPod and keep it charged. With the iPhone, placing it in the storage bin every time I enter the car, then taking it out is not very user friendly. I use the BMW Bluetooth integration for phone calls and address book for the iPhone 3G with a 13th generation ULF module part number 84 10 9 154 358. At first, I thought that using the BMW iPhone snap in adapter (part no 84 10 9 182 792) which fits in the top of the armrest would solve my issue, however I had three problems with this solution:

1. I would need some integration work between the snap in's dock connector and the Intravee/Alpine solution.
2. Although, the iPod snap in adapter fits into the E53 cradle it is not wide enough to fit the iPhone (http://www.x5world.com/bluetooth/46436-iphone-fitted-old-style-eject-box.html)
3. The iPhone is hidden from view and is not easily accessible.

The one advantage with the snap in adapter is that it charges the iPhone 3G. I went ahead and purchased the iPhone snap in adapter to see how much of a deal it would be to modify. As I was doing research, I came across the spec dock from 2point5. The spec dock is an iPod/iPhone dock which replaces the ashtray and  is clearly the most elegant solution out there.

Matt Turner over at 2point5, the makers of the spec dock mobile iPod solution, provided me a spec dock which has a cable with a female dock connector which I could connect directly to the Intravee/Al-NET/Ridax charge converter setup. Since I had purchased the snap in adapter and did not want it to go to waste, I decided to use it as an alternate charging dock when I am using my iPod 5G 60GB (contains my entire library) in the spec dock. Matt agreed to trim out the walls of the eject box so that I could fit the iPhone in the snap in adapter. I can highly recommend the spec dock and working with 2point5, LLC for any custom work. They delivered everything as promised and are very easy to work with.

Here is the parts list for the project:

1. Intravee II from bmwnav ($250)
2. Alpine KCA-420i iPod/AI-NET adapter from Crutchfield ($99.99)
3. CableJive 6 foot dock extension cable ($32)
4. Ridax Charge adapter ($29.90)
5. X5 E53 spec dock with female dock cable from 2point5 ($149)

 

The total for this project came to $561 (not including the snap in work), not inexpensive but well worth it for the seamless integration. Part 2 will describe my installation.

Part 2 Installation 

iPhone 3G - Battery life and charging; some useful accessories

The Apple iPhone 2.1 update has helped the battery life of my iPhone 3G, however I still need a quick charge in the afternoon to make it into the late evening. I found this great little accessory which will help out during those times where a quick charge using a wall outlet, car charger, or USB port is not feasible. Gomadic sells a battery backup which allows you to charge the iPhone 3G or any other mobile device they have a compatible exchangeable power tip. The unit works with 4 AA batteries which is much better than a rechargable backup solution since AA batteries tend to keep their charge longer when not used..

The Gomadic battery backup. I wrote a review of the Gomadic power accessories back in 2006 and I am still using them today. They also now have a dual charger which allows you to charge two mobile devices at once.

With the iPhone 3G and the Touch, Apple decided to abandoned the 12 volt DC Firewire charging in favor of the 5 volt USB charging. The unfortunate result for owners of older accessories is that they may not charge the iPhone 3G or Touch. Some innovative Swedes have come up with a solution. A little dock connector adapter which converts the Firewire 12 volt leads to the USB 5 volt leads. I reported on earlier but it is now available and shipping.

The Ridax Charge converter.