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      12-20-2017, 10:43 AM   #1
Dino355
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Question MHD Tuning - Powering Android device whilst plugged into OBD

Hi guys,

I have MHD running on my N54 and I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S5 via the USB OTG cable then the USB OBDII cable. The problem is when the phone is plugged in to OBD the phones battery drains. I'd like to have the gauges on MHD permanently on whilst I'm driving so I can monitor certain gauge readouts and also clear error codes on the fly so I'd like a solution to power the device whilst also plugged in to USB.

I want to hardwire a USB connection to power the phone and use a USB splitter after the OTG cable (and before the USB OBDII cable) to power the phone whilst using the MHD app and OBDII, will this work?

I realise there are some tablets out there with a separate usb and power connection but I don't want to run a tablet as I like the small size of the Galaxy S5

Also the USB splitter is USB 2.0 not USB 3.0 I'm guessing this shouldn't be an issue?

Here's the hardware I'm looking at using:

OTG USB


USB Male to 2 x Female splitter


USB Male to Male


USB Hardwire 12v to 5v


Thanks

Dino
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Last edited by Dino355; 12-20-2017 at 10:55 AM..
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      12-20-2017, 11:14 AM   #2
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Interested how this goes. Side note, considered converting to Qi wireless charging?
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      12-20-2017, 11:36 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ View Post
Interested how this goes. Side note, considered converting to Qi wireless charging?
That's a good idea in principle however wireless dash chargers aen't that common yet and also I'd still need to plug in the usb cable for OBD to the phone so wireless charging doesn't really offer any real convenience except from the initial wiring instal.

One of the guys on a facebook group suggested I use this cable instead.



Means I lose the white OTG cable and the male to male usb cable so tidies things up.

Apparently which ever way I do it it should work. I'll order the rest of the cables and test it out before fitting. Will reply with results.
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      12-20-2017, 12:39 PM   #4
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Do you mind posting a link to the cable?
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      12-20-2017, 01:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dino355 View Post
Hi guys,

I have MHD running on my N54 and I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S5 via the USB OTG cable then the USB OBDII cable. The problem is when the phone is plugged in to OBD the phones battery drains. I'd like to have the gauges on MHD permanently on whilst I'm driving so I can monitor certain gauge readouts and also clear error codes on the fly so I'd like a solution to power the device whilst also plugged in to USB.

I want to hardwire a USB connection to power the phone and use a USB splitter after the OTG cable (and before the USB OBDII cable) to power the phone whilst using the MHD app and OBDII, will this work?

I realise there are some tablets out there with a separate usb and power connection but I don't want to run a tablet as I like the small size of the Galaxy S5

Also the USB splitter is USB 2.0 not USB 3.0 I'm guessing this shouldn't be an issue?

Here's the hardware I'm looking at using:

OTG USB


USB Male to 2 x Female splitter


USB Male to Male


USB Hardwire 12v to 5v


Thanks

Dino
Just a heads up when you're running android it doesn't support usb host mode charging meaning you won't be able to charge while using MHD at the same time in your car without flashing a custom kernel and I suggest you buy the Asus Nexus 7 2013 or THe Asus Nexus 7 2012 model I've flashed both tablets successfully. I am using a 2013 nexus 7 tablet in my e92 daily. No issues charging. Check out this link https://mehrvarz.github.io/nexus-7-usbrom/
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      12-20-2017, 01:19 PM   #6
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just put it into power saving mode... battery drain goes way down and i can have it on for a couple hours and not drain more than 20%
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      12-20-2017, 02:19 PM   #7
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I am surprised MHD does not have a bluetooth dongle/ app for gauges and diagnostics/logging. Thats a big reason I still run the jb4
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      12-20-2017, 05:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by addictedtoboost View Post
Just a heads up when you're running android it doesn't support usb host mode charging meaning you won't be able to charge while using MHD at the same time in your car without flashing a custom kernel and I suggest you buy the Asus Nexus 7 2013 or THe Asus Nexus 7 2012 model I've flashed both tablets successfully. I am using a 2013 nexus 7 tablet in my e92 daily. No issues charging. Check out this link https://mehrvarz.github.io/nexus-7-usbrom/
Thanks for the PM - I've ordered those cables.

As for the being able to charge your Nexus is that because it doesn't natively support OTG? My S5 does so would I need a custom kernel?
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      12-21-2017, 12:09 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dino355 View Post
Thanks for the PM - I've ordered those cables.

As for the being able to charge your Nexus is that because it doesn't natively support OTG? My S5 does so would I need a custom kernel?
Yes the stock android kernel doesn't support host mode charging.No your S5 wouldn't work as these kernels are specific for 2013 Nexus 7 tablet.
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      12-21-2017, 11:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by addictedtoboost View Post
Yes the stock android kernel doesn't support host mode charging.No your S5 wouldn't work as these kernels are specific for 2013 Nexus 7 tablet.
Yup cables arrived today and device won't charge when using a Y splitter.

The links you sent me all relate to Nexus 7.
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      12-22-2017, 12:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dino355 View Post
Yup cables arrived today and device won't charge when using a Y splitter.

The links you sent me all relate to Nexus 7.
Yes, as I stated in my earlier post above host mode charging will only work with a custom kernel flashed on a 2013 Google Nexus 7 tablet you can find on eBay for around $115 or less.
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      12-22-2017, 01:22 AM   #12
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Hey Buddy Dino335, it's me

As mentioned here, You would need usb otb charging enabled in your andorid kernel through custom rom. ElementalX kernel is one such free kernel and it supports below devices

http://elementalx.org/devices/
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      12-24-2017, 10:04 AM   #13
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Is it a kernel setting or would it be a setting in build prop or config sys maybe even xposed framework ill check but figured would see if someone already knew.
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      12-25-2017, 12:10 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob09msport View Post
Is it a kernel setting or would it be a setting in build prop or config sys maybe even xposed framework ill check but figured would see if someone already knew.
I believe it's just a kernal feature, I had it working on my galaxy s3 and galaxy s5, the s3 was on cm12 or cm13 iirc with a custom kernal and the s5 was on moar ROM with custom kernal. I had xposed and all the other typical things (busybox and such) but don't recall using it for the otg charging. Was just using a modified Y cable. My note 8 charges while logging but I have a magnetic wireless charger on the dash so yeah lol.
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      05-05-2019, 09:22 AM   #15
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Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am in the process of trying to run a dedicated MHD gauge monitor through obd2 cable AND have the phone charge via the same cable. Ideally I’d like the phone to charge and automatically open gauges every time it powers on (phone will not have cellular and will be in car at all times attached to a ProClip mount).

Has there been any new software/developments that will help me do this? Or should I wait for new MHD dongle to come out rather than spend time and money on this install.

Thanks
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