[MOD] Pogo Pin Charging for Verizon Car Dock

[ThugEsquire]

Charging at 1A

How would you go about charging the phone via the pogo pins at 1A instead of 500mA? From your photos I can see that your charger appears as a "USB" charger (500mA) instead of "AC" (1A).

With LTE and Google Navigation, 500mA isn't enough to keep the phone charged, so this charger mod would be inadequate for anyone looking to use their phone as a 4G navigator. However, if you can think of some way to charge at 1A over the pogo pins, I'm very interested. Perhaps that middle pin is important?

 

[bike2deth]

Great Writeup

Very well done write-up. I actually ordered some pogo pins about a week ago, just waiting for them to arrive. Originally, I was going to cut a large hole in the dock approximately where the pogos should be, and then fill that with a 2 part epoxy putty, and then push the pins through. The putty would allow for precise adjustment of the pins, and once it sets, should be as solid as epoxy. The putty would also serve to protect the solder joints.

I was not sure I could get the measurements for precision drilled holes correct, but after seeing your write-up I am going to give your way a try first. Thanks again.

 

[ellesshoo]

What device is making the laser lines?

A laser level. Awesome tool for so many things. Don't need to be a big "tinkerer" or "handyman" to make good use of them. Buy one, just hang a picture or two, profit.

Would these work so you could have connectivity to all 3 pogo pins? I'd like to be able to play audio as well as charge the phone.

http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/811-22-003-30-000101/ED8110-03-ND/682271

No, the pitch (spacing b/w pins) is not 3mm like the nexus.

I *think* that might work. I grabbed a set of (older analog) calipers to measure the pogopins on my LTE GNex and found some estimates. It looks to me that the pogopins are spaced ~.112" apart (from center to center) and are ~.042" in diameter. The pins you found on digikey list the spacing between each pin to be ~.100" apart (from center to center) and ~.042" in diameter.
With those measurements in mind, there would be some slight overlap of the outer two pins onto the plastic casing but the pins would likely still strike the connector on the phone.
Keep in mind though that a number of users have noted that the center pin is not used for audio. I have no personal knowledge of this but I am passing the info along. Apparently audio is passed via bluetooth to a receiver in the mount which converts it to a line level output that is seen on the mount itself.

(Also, I guess I cannot include the hyperlink you had because I am too new to xda)

The GN pogo pin spacing is 3mm (.118"). The All the Digi-Key pins mounted in strips seem to be .1" spacing which I think will be marginal, or at least make the position of the pins really critical.

I've place a connector with 2.54mm pitch against the phone and I can assure you that there isn't enough margin for error for both outer pins to make contact. You will absolutely need to find a supplier for pins at 3mm pitch if you absolutely want to install pins in a connector block or you will need to use pins as individual components.

How would you go about charging the phone via the pogo pins at 1A instead of 500mA? From your photos I can see that your charger appears as a "USB" charger (500mA) instead of "AC" (1A).

With LTE and Google Navigation, 500mA isn't enough to keep the phone charged, so this charger mod would be inadequate for anyone looking to use their phone as a 4G navigator. However, if you can think of some way to charge at 1A over the pogo pins, I'm very interested. Perhaps that middle pin is important?

The car charger I used was >500mA, I can't remember what the exact current output it can supply is (it's in the car, used it all day with awesome results, but it's freezing outside). While I was waiting for the mount to come in I made a little jig with pins on it to test the electrical connection. I only used a 500mA wall wart with it but I'll check with a higher current output one tonight if I happen to have one (I own one, I just need to find it). I have a feeling that the phone only accepts USB level currents through the pins though (the touchstone mod through the pins also registers as USB). Other than screen-on w/ GPS it should always be able to supply more power than what is used. Even with GPS you're only going to lose a small fraction compared to using it without power.

Very well done write-up. I actually ordered some pogo pins about a week ago, just waiting for them to arrive. Originally, I was going to cut a large hole in the dock approximately where the pogos should be, and then fill that with a 2 part epoxy putty, and then push the pins through. The putty would allow for precise adjustment of the pins, and once it sets, should be as solid as epoxy. The putty would also serve to protect the solder joints.

I was not sure I could get the measurements for precision drilled holes correct, but after seeing your write-up I am going to give your way a try first. Thanks again.

I had the exact same idea at first. I thought if I could get the position right that it would make things easier in the end. If I didn't, my plan was to hot-knife out a small section and do what you are saying, didn't need to in the end.

I highly recommend people use putty/epoxy to increase the strain relief. Solder joints are for joining two things electrically, not mechanically. The more rubbery/flex the epoxy has the better. There are epoxies that even advertise this right on the packaging, definitely better than just a rigid resin that may crack.

 

[djras111]

I have hooked up the pins to a 5Vdc source and it drew 1A current

 

[hedaleth]

After some careful measurements, the VGN pin spacing seems to be 3mm as noted earlier. Here's a company making 3mm spaced pins:

yokowoconnector.com/productline/pin3_3.html

They show distributors on their site, but have not yet called to see what/where to get these.

 

[PoorCollegeGuy]

Hello,

Just dropping by to say hi and to let ya know that this thread has been featured on the XDA Portal:

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/hardware-mod-allows-for-pogo-charging-for-galaxy-nexus/

 

[haleybob1228]

I have hooked up the pins to a 5Vdc source and it drew 1A current

Via the pogopins? I was only able to draw just under 500mA using the standard 1A AC charger (to a hacked up USB cable to the pogopins). I 'shopped together a pic here:

 

[bunklung]

Great work!

As far as the USB charging issue, 500ma is not going to be enough. There is a thread here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1487676

There is a discussion about adding a software mod to trigger AC charging over USB. I suspect with the pogo pins, like MHL, there is no means to short the data pins to let the phone know to draw greater than 500ma.

 

[Knolly]

Excellent work on the mod, well done!!!

Hello,

Just dropping by to say hi and to let ya know that this thread has been featured on the XDA Portal:

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/hardware-mod-allows-for-pogo-charging-for-galaxy-nexus/

Just throwing it out there, your description of the mod completely misrepresents what it does. There are zero modifications made to the actual phone, this is a mod to the Verizon dock to add pogo pins. You say "but in the end it will make your Galaxy Nexus charge while in certain pogo pin compatible car docks," but what this entire thread is about is CREATING a pogo pin compatible car dock, not making the phone work in an existing one, since there is yet to be one released.

 

[chuckdz3]

--deleted--

 

[chopper the dog]

@OP thank you so much for gettin' the gears turning in my head. I don't use a car dock myself but the info from the OP sparked an idea for something I have been waiting for impatiently.

For the crafty types see here. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1497881


good day.

 

[wookaru]

Another Pogo Pin part#

Measuring the thickness of the dock surface that the pogo pins will have to be mounted through, I get ~ 3.63mm. This is approximate because the inner lining of the dock is a softer, rubbery material, so its hard to say whether or not im compressing that lining any with my calipers.

With that measurement in mind, check out this pogo pin model on DigiKey:
DigiKey Part Number: ED8182-ND
MM Part Number: 0906-2-15-20-75-14-11-0

From my best guess, it looks like these pogo pins will be just the right height to mate well with the phone, with about 1mm of pogo compression. I have some on order and I think they will work beautifully. I'll post my experience when they get here, but I judging from the OP's pics, these should be very similar to the ones he used in this mod.

 

[ArcaneMethods]

Aw, c'mon. No one's bench is that clean and uncluttered.

 

[ATHM50]

Proper DIY. Nicely done. I hope to follow your lead soon.

 

[BamaNZ]

How much would it take to get one of you handy guys to do this for me? I'm willing to pay.

 

[ellesshoo]

Aw, c'mon. No one's bench is that clean and uncluttered.

Haha, yea it's NEVER that clean, but I figured taking the pics was good enough reason to tidy it up.

 

[Franky_V]

I posted this earlier in the long thread about the official car dock with pogo pins that has still not been released but I don't want to derail the main topic of that thread so here is a new one, with a bit more detail added.

........


Your move, Samsung.

Nice Work! I actually had a similar plan, along with also creating a custom mount in my center console, but one thing has been holding me back. How EXACTLY did you mount those pogo pins with the epoxy?

It's hard to believe, but not impossible, that your epoxy is going to be strong enough to remain secure by only adhering to the outside. I thought of making a small flat "bar" that held the pins securely and could be mounted via a tiny rivet or tiny bolt or weird wedge to the case. I just am worried that the pressure from the inside of the case, caused by the phone, will cause them to get pushed out with relative ease.

---------- Post added at 09:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 PM ----------

Nice Work! I actually had a similar plan, along with also creating a custom mount in my center console, but one thing has been holding me back. How EXACTLY did you mount those pogo pins with the epoxy?

It's hard to believe, but not impossible, that your epoxy is going to be strong enough to remain secure by only adhering to the outside. I thought of making a small flat "bar" that held the pins securely and could be mounted via a tiny rivet or tiny bolt or weird wedge to the case. I just am worried that the pressure from the inside of the case, caused by the phone, will cause them to get pushed out with relative ease.

I actually just had an epiphany as to how I could secure it strongly on MY dock idea, but I'm still curious how you did yours

 

[mca312]

I ordered 3mm pitch pogo pins from Yokowo and they are perfect for this. (aligned perfectly)

I picked up the Verizon mount today, so hopefully I can have my faux dock this weekend.

 

[4Pr3mier]

I ordered 3mm pitch pogo pins from Yokowo and they are perfect for this. (aligned perfectly)

I picked up the Verizon mount today, so hopefully I can have my faux dock this weekend.

http://www.yokowoconnector.com/productline/pin3_3.html

So which "type" did you order?

 

[ellesshoo]

Nice Work! I actually had a similar plan, along with also creating a custom mount in my center console, but one thing has been holding me back. How EXACTLY did you mount those pogo pins with the epoxy?

It's hard to believe, but not impossible, that your epoxy is going to be strong enough to remain secure by only adhering to the outside. I thought of making a small flat "bar" that held the pins securely and could be mounted via a tiny rivet or tiny bolt or weird wedge to the case. I just am worried that the pressure from the inside of the case, caused by the phone, will cause them to get pushed out with relative ease.

---------- Post added at 09:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 PM ----------



I actually just had an epiphany as to how I could secure it strongly on MY dock idea, but I'm still curious how you did yours

I put tiny bit of epoxy on the outside of the pins (NOT on the plunger) and then yea, sealed it all in from the outside. It's nice and strong, been using on my 1.5 hour commute (that's round trip) everyday. It's critical that only the plunger is sticking out into the inside or else the phone, when inserted, will almost surely put stress on the epoxy or worse, crack it.