Satnav from Android phone, Ultimate Addons case

[Mike]

I wanted to use my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone for satnav on my bike aswell as wire something up for charging whilst out and about.

I've bought myself an Ultimate Addons case for the phone, a handle bar mount to attach the case to and a 'hard-wire' cable to charge the phone.

Here's a pic of phone in case mounted on my handlebars...



The phone can be turned 360º on the mount like most satnavs allow and also tilted forwards and back for best view.
It seems pretty stable and secure but I'll be putting some kind of lanyard on to save my phone should the mount come undone.

The case is showerproof with rubber seals all around and rubber bungs for headphone sockets. Its not 'waterproof' though ie. Its not submersible. My only problem with the case so far is the power button isn't accessible to turn the screen off to save battery power. You just have to wait for it to turn off automatically, this doesn't happen when using the navigation software thankfully.

The power cable looks to be good quality and pretty water resistant. It requires a Din socket from your battery to plug into. The cable then goes to an on/off switch block that also converts the battery voltage down to 5V. There's a 2A fuse to protect your phone between the Din socket and the on/off switch.
The plug end of the cable that fits into your phone to power it fits inside the phone case and a rubber seal is used around the cable to keep water out of the bottom of the case.

I've got google maps on my phone as the satnav software but I've also just downloaded M8 satnav that I'll be trying out alot too (both are free from the google play store on Android phones). One aspect of the M8 software that I like, so far, is the ability to switch it to night-time view (black screen with bright roads etc) manually at any time. Ive found this significantly reduces battery loss.

I'm still awaiting delivery of a Din socket to bolt onto my battery so I haven't used the set-up yet but I'll post back here the good/bad points of the set-up.

Is anyone else using this equipment as their main satnav? I'd be keen to know your thoughts and tips!

Mike

[Mike]

And a quick pic of power cable detailing. There's a female Din socket to add to this yet...

[Stooby]

Mike,

Be interesting to see how you get on. I recently tried using my Galaxy S2 as a satnav (Navfree) and it munched the battery within 3 hours, even with a charger on. Keep us updated!

[Mike]

Well my Din connector cable was delivered this week and I finally got around to fitting all the charging cables today

I've wired it straight to my battery terminals, the switch box turns the power to your phone on and off and is situated under my seat with the tool kit at the minute. I ran the cable along the wiring harness upto my handlebars.

I took my bike out for a ride to my brothers house, to borrow his torque wrench and to see how my battery charged whilst running satnav software.

I'm pleased to say it charged very well!
(I've had problems with charging my phone whilst using satnav when in the car)

I set off with 10% battery.
I had the M8 satnav software running with gps on too (obviously).
Screen was on 1/3 total brightness.
10 miles down the road I had 44% battery, result!

It's a little fiddly getting my phone and charging cable into the case at first but I expect that will get easier the more I use it.

Its also a bit annoying having to lift the seat and fiddle about to turn the power on and off, will probably look into a better location in the near future.

Mike

[gsteinert]

I'm looking at wiring in a 12v socket. I've yet to check it all out, but it's looking like the power supply to the clocks is a good place to wire it in. There's an earth and a live wire that is killed when the ignition is off, so you should be able to dump the switch all together

An alternative if access is a problem round there (I've not actually looked yet) is the power supply to the horn. The positive is on the same feed as for the clocks so is only on with the ignition. You would have to find a suitable earth though, as the other side of the horn runs through the horn switch on the handlebars.

Gary

[max900]

leave the switch under your seat and wire the live into the rear light live wire and earth it on the battery this way when your lights are off so is your charging/power cable simples (no holes need to be drilled into the fairing and everything is a bit more protected from the elements)

[rowlf]

Aug 9, 2013 22:28:25 GMT gsteinert said:

I'm looking at wiring in a 12v socket. Gary

Almost everything is switched off when the "main switch" is off if you want it switched. The "main switch" switches on several circuits, including the signal system and the ignition system. Almost any black wire goes straight to negative i.e. lights, indicators, clock illumination so wherever you find it you can use it.

Like Max900 says, I personally would tap in under the seat, ideally at the fuse block. Nice and dry under there, easy to get to and you can use any of the three secondary fuses, the "signal system", the "head light" or the "ignition". Even better you could connect to the input side of those three fuses (one input supply feeds all three fuses and is switched by the main switch) and put in an inline fuse. Nice to have all the fuses together and if your connector gets wet and blows the fuse it wont affect anything else on the bike. Get the negative from anywhere, the battery, any part of the negative circuit or the frame. Run the wires under the tank and you can put a connector anywhere.

If not, On the 600 (I believe the 900 is the same) the horn is on the "signal system" fuse. which also supplies the tacho, the neutral and oil indicator lights, the brake light plus the carb heater relays. A good choice as it is easy to get to. You could also take the positive from either side of the instruments connector block. The positive wire at this connector supplies the tacho plus the neutral and oil indicator lights. The negative at that connector is the return for the turn signals, the dial illumination lights and the high beam indicator.

[muckerboy2205]

I have the same but went for the battery option, ie wire it to battery with the right lead and works a treat.

[christhedivvy]

Doesn't this gobble your internet allowance megabyte's? I'm too a poor Yorkshire man for unlimited internet

[neilmud Lord Protector]

Sept 12, 2013 18:39:47 GMT christhedivvy said:

Doesn't this gobble your internet allowance megabyte's? I'm a too tight Yorkshire man to pay for unlimited internet

[christhedivvy]

Sept 12, 2013 18:39:47 GMT christhedivvy said:

Doesn't this gobble your internet allowance megabyte's? I'm too careful with money Yorkshire man for unlimited internet

[spike240]

esn't this gobble your internet allowance megabyte's? I'm too a poor Yorkshire man for unlimited internet

Don't think so Chris. Software and maps for GPS are downloaded to the phone before-hand - so it's just like er well - a satnav.
ATB

[bigmick1981]

Oct 9, 2013 7:43:12 GMT spike240 said:

esn't this gobble your internet allowance megabyte's? I'm too a poor Yorkshire man for unlimited internet

Don't think so Chris. Software and maps for GPS are downloaded to the phone before-hand - so it's just like er well - a satnav.
ATB

last time I used google nav software built in on a android phone it gobbled lots of megabytes

[DahDit]

I bought one of these for the XT, using ViewRanger & GBOS Maps for green lane routes and NavFree for road work. Cheap and handy power solution for smartphones....

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Mobile-Waterproof-USB-Power-Supply-Port-Socket-Charger-5V-2-1A-/251391136195?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

[crickleymal]

My Windows phone does it all off line. Once the maps are loaded it should all be internet free. Although sometimes it seems to need the internet to find some obscure places.

[kissofdeath]

google maps is shite m8, get co-pilot its much better