Powering a tablet in a car with your own hands. Charging from the cigarette lighter for tablets, phones and laptops. How not to burn your device? Connecting a tablet through a car amplifier

On-board computer into a car from a tablet is a logical choice, given the prevalence of these devices now. It allows the driver to get a lot additional functions, in addition to the car's standard stereo system. Currently, standard vehicle systems have GPS. But owners of budget cars in the basic configuration are deprived of this. Android device offers a more advanced GPS system. An Android tablet can save all your Google contacts, accesses directly the GPS, has its own calendar of events. Can store music, use Internet radio, or play music using cloud players. These are features that are not available on even the most modern luxury cars.

I recommend choosing a tablet that already has a car dock. It can be installed, for example, instead of a 2-din CD player. Plus, the car dock makes the device easy to remove, so you can prevent theft and use the tablet for other purposes. Unfortunately, the cost of such models with a docking station starts from $300. For example, you can consider models such as ASUS Transformer Book T100TA 64 GB dock and HP SlateBook x2 32 GB. There are no universal docking stations; each tablet model has its own, specially designed.

If your car does not have standard system or you don't want to cut anything - eat it with your hands on the dashboard.

Connecting a tablet through a car amplifier

There are two options here:

• If your car has a standard audio system, then it can be replaced using an external amplifier and a tablet.
• If you have a removable radio, then you can use it as an amplifier and connect it to the tablet.

I used the first option.

Replacing a stock stereo system with a tablet requires connecting an external amplifier. The fact is that the tablet cannot be directly connected to the speakers. The audio output is for headphones only. That's why an amplifier is needed. I chose 4 channel because my car has four speakers. I have the amplifier installed under the front passenger seat, but it can be installed almost anywhere, such as in the trunk of a car, but I think that is too far from the battery. I chose a location under the passenger seat to limit cable length. The seat will have to be removed, but it's really not difficult. Google how this is done in your car.

The amplifier will be powered directly from the battery. To do this, you need to run fairly thick wires from the car battery. Read the amplifier's instruction manual to determine the required cable size. There are amplifiers that come with wires for connection. You can also save money and go buy such a wire yourself.

I chose the cheapest amp I could find. I rarely listen to music, mostly audio books, so the sound quality didn't bother me too much.

Tools and materials

You will need a ferrule crimper on the end of each wire. I have tips that have heat shrink cambric. Not a bad option and looks very professional.

Tools:

• Wire Stripper/Crimping Tool
• Soldering iron (recommended)
• Screwdrivers
• Drill
• Knife with cutting blades

Equipment:

• Tablet from car dock (I chose Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 +)
• 1/4" Lexan sheet (approx. 10" x6")
• Dye
• 1-1/4" circle cutter
• 3/8" drill
• Amplifier
• Car Audio Adapter
• 12 V plug into cigarette lighter
• Wire - thick-walled to the amplifier
• Wire - for speaker signals
• Gaskets
• Insulating tape
• Scotch

Connecting the tablet to the car’s on-board network (important note)

Attach to on-board network You need two devices - a tablet and an amplifier. Of course, they can also be connected through the cigarette lighter, but this option can only be considered temporary. To avoid short circuits and ensure stable power supply, it must be connected directly to the battery.

Important! You must put a fuse on the amplifier's power cable. There are small waterproof fuse holders commercially available that can be used for this. The fuse should be installed as close to the battery as possible. Without this fuse, a short circuit and fire may occur.

Running wires through holes

Additionally, to run the cable from the battery to the amplifier, you will need to drill a hole in the car's bulkhead. You can of course run the wire through an existing hole. In any case, you need to use a rubber coupling as in the figure. This will prevent the wire from being damaged by rubbing against the metal.

My car has a small hole in the passenger foot area. I ran the power cable for the amplifier directly through it, under the rug, to the amplifier under the seat.

Adapter and Wiring Connectors

To connect to the amplifier's speakers, I recommend that you buy a special adapter. This will save you from having to cut the wiring in your car (see picture).

You will need to run 2 cables from the amplifier to the car adapter. It is better to use solder joints with heat shrink. I recommend using a piece of tape wrapped around a piece of paper to mark the ends of the wires. It looks very neat and it is clear what kind of wire it is.

To connect an Android tablet, you need a stereo mini cable for RCA (red and white). If you plan to use Charger, then it is necessary to shield the audio circuit. Otherwise, static electricity may be generated.

In the fuse box, I chose the one that has no power when the car is turned off, so as not to drain the battery.

Using GPS on your tablet will quickly drain your battery. So charging your tablet is a must. If you look in the fuse box under the hood, you will likely find empty auxiliary fuse holders. The fuse box markings are usually on the bottom of the fuse cover. For this power wire, you can add a female 12V connector connector (cigarette lighter socket). These can be found in auto parts stores or at the radio market.

Mounting a tablet in a car

I had no problems securing the tablet. I simply removed the part of the dashboard where the built-in CD radio was located. If you don't know how to do this, read the manual, look up instructions on the Internet.

If you want to install the tablet somewhere on the dashboard, here it is.

I measured and cut a piece of plastic slightly larger than the hole where the radio was. This kind of plastic can be found in the store.

To secure the plastic in place, I attached it along the back with epoxy glue. This material is excellent for fastening objects of complex shapes.

Installation

I used a circle bit to drill the hole in the middle. I also drilled a hole to route the power and audio cables through.

Plastic is quite easy to paint. I sanded the surface with sandpaper (no. 220). Then I applied a coat of primer and then a coat of black paint. The paint should not be thick.

The finished result

Noise in car speakers when charging and playing from a tablet

I didn't like the idea of ​​connecting the headphone cable at the top of the tablet. The docking station connector has contacts for connecting audio. I purchased a cable that allowed me to charge the tablet and also play audio through the same cable. However, when testing this cable in the car, I was unable to get rid of the noise when charging and powering the amplifier at the same time. The main reason is the quality of the 12V - 5V adapter. Those that are inserted into the cigarette lighter are absolutely not suitable, but high-quality ones cost $20-40.

After that, I bought a Bluetooth audio receiver and connected it to the amplifier. This option worked great, and I was able to use audio without connecting a second cable. However, the sound was not as high quality as using an audio cable. Therefore, to save time and effort, I would recommend connecting only using a headphone cable. This is the best option.

It would also be possible to use a car radio with Bluetooth (for example JVC KD-SD80BT) and send sound to the speakers through it.

Automatically turn on the tablet

To automate the processes of turning on and off, I recommend installing Tasker app for Android. In this case, you won’t have to waste time on unnecessary button presses.

Programs

Car Home Ultra - Android application for drivers with a user-friendly interface and all the necessary tools and functions https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=spinninghead.carhome&hl=ru. Torque Pro https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque (paid, Google to find a cure). Program features:

• Check-Engine error diagnostics
• Display parameters in real time on a virtual dashboard
• Diagnostics of oxygen sensors
• Warning about critical parameter values
• Logging with a wide range of options
• Approximate calculation of travel costs and gasoline consumption
• Record a video of a trip with a map overlay and sensor readings (using the TrackRecorder plugin)
• Telnet server for direct interaction with the adapter (for developers)

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Another common question that comes to my blog concerns charging for various gadgets in the car. For example, we have already talked in this article, but with tablets and even laptops, it is not entirely clear. In general, a very useful article, I’ll try to put everything in order and why sometimes you can just burn your device...

So, let's start with the “chargers” from the cigarette lighter for the phone, what are they?

For phone

You need to understand that in order to charge a smartphone you need to have a voltage of about 5 Volts and a current of at least 0.5 Amperes, the maximum I have seen is 2 Amps for very large batteries. The most universal current and voltage output is 5 Volts and 1 Ampere!

Remember this is important. You need to look at the output of such a “charger”; there is usually an inscription “OUTPUT”. This voltage will not kill your phone, and the battery will last a long time! They also differ in shape. Now there are only two main types:

1) This is a ready-made cable, we plug one end into the cigarette lighter, the other into a specific phone model, and charging begins. This type is now dying out, because it is not universal. That is, if it charges, say, SONY, then Samsung will not be able to “refuel” it! However, now many companies are globalizing and therefore the outputs are becoming the same. But I don’t really like this type, because it only works with certain amperes, which, if suitable for one manufacturer, may be contraindicated for another.

2) Universal with USB ports. There is already a better choice; as a rule, there are two or three USB ports into which you can plug the cable from your phone and select the desired ampere readings. For example, I have such a charger and there are two outputs for 1 Ampere and 2.5 Ampere.

A big plus is that there are regular ports, that is, you can charge not only phones but also other devices.

For tablet

Why won't a phone charger work for a tablet? A very common question! For the most part, tablets use a different charging current. Usually it is 9 Volts and the same 1 - 2 Amperes at the output.

And as we already explained above, a smartphone requires 5 Volts; if you hypothetically “plug” a phone charger into a tablet, the latter’s controller will simply burn out! You end up with expensive repairs. Therefore, remember - you cannot use telephone chargers for tablet computers.

So what to do, how to charge?

To be honest, electronics manufacturers have now begun the so-called “consolidation”. The idea is simple - make one universal connector - suitable for both cell phones and tablets! Then it will be possible to “power” directly from the cigarette lighter, the main thing is to choose the right current.

However, there are a lot of devices that use the old, non-universal connector with different characteristics. And there are two ways out:

1) Buy a charger specifically for your tablet computer.

2) Use special POWER BANK, which have outputs for all devices, even laptops. The bottom line is this: we “power” it from the cigarette lighter, and the devices from it. Another plus of such a “device” is that it can power you away from the car.

Laptops

He didn’t say anything about the laptop - but here the situation is almost the same as with the second “contender”. Again you need to determine the consumed voltage and amperes. Looking ahead, I’ll say it could be 19 Volts, and about 3.5 A, that’s a lot!

Therefore, charging is quite problematic! Even through POWER BANK. It's difficult to refuse an outlet here. Of course, special devices are sold specifically for laptops - in the cigarette lighter, but this is an additional device and not cheap.

About alternative sources, again I’ll say a few words - on many Chinese sites you can order without any problems solar panels, which are suitable for almost all gadgets. However, the downside is that there is no sun, no charge, and the current there is weak for a long charging time. Watch my video, in the middle there is about solar panels.

Articles and Lifehacks

The question of how to charge a tablet in a car is quite common and, as it turns out, relevant.

At first glance, everything is banal: there is a tablet, a cable for it, an adapter, a cigarette lighter. You connect, you charge.

But it turns out that this is not the only one possible variant, and besides, it’s not a fact that it’s the best. Let's try to figure out what methods exist in general, and also analyze their pros and cons.

Options for charging a tablet in a car

Charging the tablet in a car is possible using the following options:

• USB connector from the radio.

  We connect the tablet using a USB charging cable from the car radio. Let's charge.

  There is a possible catch here. The tablet needs at least 2A current to charge, stock car usb, with rare exceptions, is capable of no more than 0.5 A.

  The main purpose of the connector is to play music through a flash drive. Even if charging starts, the whole process may take a day.

• Cigarette lighter, using a special adapter.

  The most popular way. There are no difficulties, we buy a special adapter, of which there are a huge number on the market, for every taste and budget, plug it into the cigarette lighter, connect the tablet via a charging cable. Let's charge.

  There are some disadvantages. Sometimes the cigarette lighter itself fails and it begins to “spit out” the adapter.

  Also, due to power surges caused by heavy loads in other vehicle systems, the tablet battery may fail.

• Charging via inverter.

  The device changes frequency alternating current, and you can, by selecting the appropriate power option, charge not only your tablet, but also your laptop, and even watch TV. It is connected to the cigarette lighter, and the tablet is connected to it.

  Disadvantages include size and noise. Take your choice seriously.

  Also be careful with “scorched” Chinese models; there have been cases when they burned down, along with the cars.

A few tips that can help you in difficult times:

1. Before charging the tablet via USB for the radio, read the instructions to see if the tablet even supports this function;
2. Choose an adapter (adapter) for the cigarette lighter under 2A;
3. If you use a tablet as a navigator, charging via USB for the radio is unlikely to work, since it will discharge faster than charge;
4. Sometimes, in addition to the cigarette lighter, the car is equipped with a special socket for charging, pay attention to this;
5. For domestically produced cars, it would be a good idea to purchase a voltage stabilizer.

Good luck with your choice.

By installing the tablet in your car, you can listen to music, answer calls and use GPS navigation. Read which one to choose and how to install it correctly.

Today, for many drivers, a car is no longer just a means of transportation. fast travel from one point to another. Modern technologies allow you to make the car more comfortable for long trips. If previously an indicator of a car’s sophistication was a CD radio and a navigator, now they are ready to be replaced by a tablet that combines the capabilities of a host of devices at once. Purchasing a tablet for a car for navigation and multimedia looks not only more profitable, but also practical than buying gadgets separately. However, reasonable questions arise: what tasks can a tablet perform, and most importantly, how to install it in a car?

How can a tablet be used in a car?

The most common reason for replacing standard multimedia in a vehicle with a tablet is a lack of driver functionality. We are already accustomed to having a smartphone in our pocket, which combines a dozen devices, from an FM receiver to a camera, so why not do something similar in a car?! Agree that often what is missing is just a radio that plays music from disappearing discs. Another thing is to get a tablet computer with a large touch screen, through which you can enjoy music, watch a movie, and even play.

In favor of purchasing a tablet for your car multimedia capabilities and navigation speaks and practicality. A separately sophisticated navigator and other equipment will cost a pretty penny, but one that offers exactly the same functionality can be bought for $100-200. And installing it will be much less hassle than connecting each device separately.

So, what can a tablet be used for in a car:

• To play music. Very few drivers can do without this feature, and the tablet implements it very well. Load your favorite songs in a variety of formats into memory or memory cards and listen. In addition, every modern tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi, which allows you to connect to any point. Well, more expensive models even support SIM cards, which makes it possible to listen to music online.
• To play movies. If you travel often or just spend a lot of time on the road, then this feature is very useful. Depending on the tablet model, from local storage or use Wi-Fi and mobile Internet.
• For internet surfing. What an ordinary radio cannot provide is comfortable access to the Internet. By using the Wi-Fi interface or Mobile Internet, the driver can read the news or an interesting article in a long traffic jam thanks to .
• For navigation. A huge number of tablets support GPS, which allows them to be used for navigation. The large display makes it easy to navigate, and the operating system gives you access to hundreds of .
• Games, applications. The tablet can also keep you entertained with thousands of games available for free download. In addition, you can use the ones you are used to working with. The system will allow you to customize the interface for yourself.

Installing a tablet in a car: which holders to choose

We've sorted out the advantages of tablet computers in vehicles, now let's move directly to the installation nuances.

Selecting a location

The first step is to decide how the tablet will be installed. There are two options:

• By fastening. The easiest way to install a tablet in a car. You just have to buy additional mounts, the variety of which can amaze: for installation on dashboard, to the ceiling, headrest and so on. The method is characterized by ease of installation: install the mount, the tablet, and connect the wires. However, in this case there is no smell of aesthetics and special reliability. The wires will dangle outside, and if there is strong shaking, there is a chance that the tablet will fall.
• Installation instead of a radio. A more complex method, but at the same time it allows you to do everything efficiently, reliably and beautifully. Here you will have to understand a little about electrics, estimate in advance the size of the installation space, use some other tools and time. But in the end we get a reliable and very nice design.

Which method to choose depends on the preferences of the driver and the vehicle. In most cases, it is recommended to install a tablet instead of a radio. In this case, the place for installation in the car must have an appropriate design so that the tablet simply fits on the panel. In addition, as already noted, you will have to understand the electrical features of the vehicle in order to avoid short circuits. If knowledge is not enough, then the solution may be to contact service center, where, for a specified amount, specialists will carry out high-quality installation of the tablet.

If you don’t want to bother with a bunch of wires and installation, and the car does not at all provide for the possibility of installing such multimedia devices, then we recommend giving preference to mounts. Minimum costs, installation in minutes.

Installing a tablet in a car using a mount

Many drivers who have a tablet lying around at home do not want to waste time studying the wires. If you are one of them, then your path lies in a car goods store, where the buyer is presented with a wide selection of various tripods for mounting multimedia devices. Here again it’s worth deciding on the installation location: Windshield, ceiling, seat backs, panel. Everything is very simple:

• Will the tablet be used for navigation, movies and music? Select a tripod for installation in the front of the car: windshield, dashboard or ceiling (depending on the car’s interior).
• Do you need something to keep the kids interested during a long trip, or just give the passengers in the back the opportunity to watch movies? You can attach the tablet to the back of the front seats.

As a rule, preference is given to the front of the car. To make the tablet feel safe and comfortable, we recommend giving preference to mounts with a rigid base, which are attached to the panel using a special gasket and suction cup. It is better when the structure does not have a too long base, which prevents vibrations in the pits. Naturally, the mechanism should preferably be rotary, so that both the driver and passenger can comfortably adjust the position of the tablet.

Where to buy cheap?

When choosing a glass mount, you should pay special attention to the suction cups, since poor quality ones may simply not hold the tablet, which will fall off along with the tripod on potholes. If there is enough space in the cabin, then you can consider options with mounting on the ceiling, but you should calculate the position in advance so that in the future Tablet PC did not interfere with the driver's view.

Charging your tablet in the car

Anyone who is even slightly familiar with modern tablets or smartphones knows how quickly these gadgets run out of battery. Whatever one may say, the tablet will have to be charged once a day or two, or even more often. Constantly carrying the device home to the outlet is not an option, so the easiest way out is to recharge it from the car’s on-board power supply.

Where to buy cheap?

When installing a tablet using a mount, power supply is usually carried out using two methods:

• ThroughUSB- port of a radio or car. Most modern radio tape recorders are equipped USB port, which is used to connect storage devices with music. In our case, it will become a power source. The most common micro-USB cable is connected to the connector, which connects the tablet to the radio. However, the voltage produced by the radio is not too high, so charging a capacious battery can continue for a long time.
• Using a cigarette lighter. Another tool for charging a tablet in a car is a cigarette lighter, which can be found in almost any vehicle. In this case, the connection is made using a special adapter inserted into the cigarette lighter. Similar adapters can be found in any auto supply store, and their cost, so to speak, is not bad. Then we simply connect the tablet via wire.

Some drivers connect the tablet directly to the car's on-board network. There is little point in resorting to this method if you decide to install the tablet using a mount.

Sound output

Don't forget about the sound, which won't happen if we just connect the tablet to the cigarette lighter. Most in a simple way Output sound using an AUX cable.

The radio must have a 3.5 mm minijack connector.

Here everything is as simple as possible: we buy a cable (preferably more expensive in order to get best quality sound), connect the tablet and car radio. The sound, of course, leaves much to be desired, but you don’t have to study the features of a car audio system.

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless interfaces can also be used for connection.

Again, both the radio and the tablet must have one of the interfaces.

A more complex method is to install an additional amplifier, which is purchased separately. The amplifier is usually placed in the luggage compartment. You will have to familiarize yourself with the wiring, provide it with power from the battery (connection to the cigarette lighter is undesirable - there is a risk of fire), and also connect it to the speakers using an RCA cable. Afterwards the tablet is connected to the amplifier. In the process, you should not neglect shielding and installing seals on the wires so that they do not fray.

Installing a tablet instead of a radio

Some readers are more interested in completely replacing the radio with a tablet. Here you will have to spend a little more time and effort. First, you will have to take measurements so that the result does not end up being that the tablet simply does not fit into the special frame with which the installation will be carried out. Actually, after that we move on to this very frame:

1. the frame, if necessary, is modified: additional holes are made for the output of wires for the power and sound buttons;
2. Next we move on to providing power to the device. At this point, the tablet needs to be connected to the fuse box. The connector is activated, which receives voltage only when the ignition key is turned. It is not difficult to find it using the clues on the fuse box cover and a multimeter;

Do not connect to other connectors - the tablet will drain the battery when the car is turned off. A special adapter is used for connection.

1. We connect the tablet to the audio system, the amplifier is used, which is described just above, or a direct connection.

All that remains is to check the functionality of the system.

The best and simply good tablets for the car

Many users find it difficult to decide which tablet to choose for navigation and multimedia. We will help you with your choice. First, about the criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing:

• Brand. Today there is no point in chasing expensive market representatives, especially if you do not pursue the goal of getting the most productive and high-quality tablet for your car.
• Screen. The size of the diagonal depends on your personal preferences and cabin capacity. Models with 7-8 inches look most optimal. There is no particular point in considering smaller ones, but you can pay attention to slightly larger ones. It is advisable to have a higher resolution – FullHD; if you don’t have enough budget – HD. Particular attention should be paid to the anti-reflective coating and viewing angles so as not to experience discomfort when using.
• Performance, memory. Since using a tablet in a car does not involve serious loads, there is no point in chasing hardware. Optimal volume random access memory– 2 GB. We recommend a storage capacity of at least 16 GB, expandable with memory cards.
• Navigation and Internet. Of course, a tablet for a car must support well-known GPS navigation systems and preferably GLONASS. It will not be superfluous to support a SIM card, which will provide access to the Internet.

It’s clear that you don’t need to think too much about cameras, battery capacity and other features.

Finally, a few quality models, which are perfect for use in the car.

• Onda V10. Quite a large 10.1-inch representative of the line of the Chinese company Onda. I got a good FullHD display that behaves well in the sun. One of the main features is the version of Android 7.0, which makes the tablet one of the most current on the market. It has 4G and GPS support, which is very important for a motorist. I received 32 GB of memory, which is enough for more than one hundred musical compositions and a dozen films.
• Teclast X98 Air 3G. A more compact 9.7-inch device with a screen resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. It has a productive “filling” with 32 GB of memory, support for 3G and GPS networks. In addition, the tablet is available in a version with two operating systems(Android+Windows).
• Lenovo Tab 3 TB3-850M. The choice of those who need an inexpensive tablet for navigation and music playback. Equipped with a high-quality 8-inch display, there is support for LTE and GPS. Got 16 GB of memory as well current version Android 6.0.

Conclusion

What do we end up with? Any inexpensive tablet can replace a whole set of devices. The main thing is GPS support and the presence of a good matrix with anti-reflective coating and wide viewing angles. Many drivers will probably also be interested in mobile Internet. Installing a tablet instead of a radio or using a mount is not a complicated procedure, so even a non-professional can carry out the installation.