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Trouble Charging with Docking station

I purchased one of those docking stations with additional battery charger off ebay. However, for some reason the unit isn't charging the device when it's docked. Instead it loses power. I waited almost 2 months for them to finally ship the item now this. I was thinking it may be the 1.5ma adapter that came with it. My test this evening will be to plug up the regular charger in the mini usb port and see if that will charge the unit. Is anyone else having this problem? I was trying to cut expense by purchasing this unit instead of the more expensive ones sold on expansys for a little over $100 usd. I even went as far as implementing a 3.5 mm plug for audio (stereo) and this took quite a few hrs to do. Please give some feedback.

I have the same docking station you have. It charges my phone if I turn the backlight down, and dont run any data programs (gps, wifi or anything like that) If I run much of anything it will drain down. I attributed it to the charger cable that comes with it. Let us know how your tests go. I can voice for the xtra battery spot, it charges my spare in less than an hour from empty.

touchlasvegas said:
I have the same docking station you have. It charges my phone if I turn the backlight down, and dont run any data programs (gps, wifi or anything like that) If I run much of anything it will drain down. I attributed it to the charger cable that comes with it. Let us know how your tests go. I can voice for the xtra battery spot, it charges my spare in less than an hour from empty.
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Thanks for the reply bud. I said I'll try the OEM charger in the mini port first, and if that works then I'll buy a higher milli amp charger for it (maybe 3 ma). I did a nice little audio mod to it as I discussed and I'll take pictures later when I get in. I really like the unit and the great thing about my audio mod is that it doesn't broadcast my calls over my A/V receiver, it goes directly to my BT headset (conversations stay private), and once I hang up the audio goes back to the A/V receiver, so I can continue listening to my music. The mod only cost me about $3 USD for the necessary parts and some soldering and drilling.

Here are the pics of the mod I did. The Audio works fantastic. I converted the 3.5mm plug to stereo output and well placed too as the device just slide right onto the docking station without any trouble. Now my next task is to find a 3 ma adapter to use as a charger. For some reason even when I use the OEM charger in the mini usb slot the device charges, but does it very slowly as if it was getting the charge from the computer's USB connection, and the 2nd battery slot doesn't charge at all with this method. If anyone would like internal pics (not that they would help much as I've soldered and hot glued all the wires in the device for stability) I will be more than happy to upload some.

charging with cradle
Had the same problem before so I just plug both chargers into the unit. (Athena and cradle adaptor) It now charges abeit slowly with wifi and screen at middle illumination but fast if I turn the screen off( 20% to 100% in 2.5 hrs.). avoid plugging anything else to the usb or any ports while charging. It will grain your battery even if you are not using them.
Can you take a picture of the internal part of the cradle? The part where you installed the audio jack and rca sockets. This is where I am having problems. I find the space too small to install those you installed. Maybe you could give me an idea how to install the same in my cradle.
Another thing, do you think it is possible to put in another USB slot and/or a memory card slot? I'm going to the province(the provincial life here is like 1980's there in the US except for mobile phones and a few computers with limited internet access) and I don't want to carry arround so many gadgets and attachments with me. I have 2 4G usb drives, 16G cf and a 2G mini sd. I keep my file both for business and pleasure outside of my athena for safety. As much as possible, I don't want to attach an external usb hub as it drains my battery. I would rather have an internal hub and changing the led to something smaller to consume less power but integrate them to the cradle.
As much as I want to bring my laptop to the province, the size of my ibm x40 is still to big and heavy for me to carry constantly everywhere.

yetdy said:
Had the same problem before so I just plug both chargers into the unit. (Athena and cradle adaptor) It now charges abeit slowly with wifi and screen at middle illumination but fast if I turn the screen off( 20% to 100% in 2.5 hrs.). avoid plugging anything else to the usb or any ports while charging. It will grain your battery even if you are not using them.
Can you take a picture of the internal part of the cradle? The part where you installed the audio jack and rca sockets. This is where I am having problems. I find the space too small to install those you installed. Maybe you could give me an idea how to install the same in my cradle.
Another thing, do you think it is possible to put in another USB slot and/or a memory card slot? I'm going to the province(the provincial life here is like 1980's there in the US except for mobile phones and a few computers with limited internet access) and I don't want to carry arround so many gadgets and attachments with me. I have 2 4G usb drives, 16G cf and a 2G mini sd. I keep my file both for business and pleasure outside of my athena for safety. As much as possible, I don't want to attach an external usb hub as it drains my battery. I would rather have an internal hub and changing the led to something smaller to consume less power but integrate them to the cradle.
As much as I want to bring my laptop to the province, the size of my ibm x40 is still to big and heavy for me to carry constantly everywhere.
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I will upload some pics in a bit. I thought about putting in a 2nd USB slot, however now that you've mentioned the internal USB hub, you gave me a new task for tomorrow. I will go to Rat shack and try to find the smallest hub they have and take it apart and somehow get that bad boy to fit into the cradle. If you've researched any that's pretty small post the link and I'll take a look at it. Give me about 30 mins to upload some pics as I have to take the unit apart and stuff. Oh btw I had to strip the 3.5mm down to the bare metal from a cheap headset I had laying around.

The yellow plastic piece is where the stereo adapter is located. I had to shave down a piece of plastic on the insde that was kinda blocking the space. I also made sure that the unit was able to close properly. As you can see in the pictures there's no other wires for the unit to short out on and everything's secured properly with the hot glue, and some soldering.

Is the audio not availble via the usb plug? I was led to belive the usb to 3.5mm headphone adaptors work with the ameo? If this is correct and all the pins have connectors then the audio should be availble without adding a 3rd plug.
The genuine htc cradle does have audio out but looks like it only has 2 plugs so it must be possible?
I have just got a 2nd dock station from ebay to try and make my own 4 in 1 plug for charging, tv out, and hdd connection for the car. Does any one have the mini usb headphone adaptor and the ability to test for continuity between the headphone socket and the usb plug?
regards

delboydell said:
Is the audio not availble via the usb plug? I was led to belive the usb to 3.5mm headphone adaptors work with the ameo? If this is correct and all the pins have connectors then the audio should be availble without adding a 3rd plug.
The genuine htc cradle does have audio out but looks like it only has 2 plugs so it must be possible?
I have just got a 2nd dock station from ebay to try and make my own 4 in 1 plug for charging, tv out, and hdd connection for the car. Does any one have the mini usb headphone adaptor and the ability to test for continuity between the headphone socket and the usb plug?
regards
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Click to collapse
Those 3 in 1 adapters do work, however I did the mod to eleminate the need to carry around any extra hardware. I used the 3 in 1 adapter in the usb slot from T-mobile wing phone and it worked just fine. It has the 3.5mm slot, and 2 mini usb slots. But again I did it this way to eleminate the need for that. I'm currently in the process of finding a small USB hub that I can strip down from it's housing and fit it inside the docking station. I already located a 3ma adapter with variable voltage settings. This should be good enough to run all the components and charge the batteries at the same time. Let me know how your mod goes or if you need some ideas.

I was considering this: http://www.upgradenation.com/Tripp_Lite_The_ultra_small_4-port/U222-004-R/partinfo-id-551698.html USB hub to implement into the docking station. Let me know what you guys think, I will check the size when I get home to see if it will fit. I drew it to scale on a piece of paper just to make sure before I order it. Now keep in mind that I will be taking it out it's housing to get it to fit inside the unit, hence eleminating the extra load. Oh btw problem solved with the charging. Feedbacks please.

tootallk2000 said:
I was considering this: http://www.upgradenation.com/Tripp_Lite_The_ultra_small_4-port/U222-004-R/partinfo-id-551698.html USB hub to implement into the docking station. Let me know what you guys think, I will check the size when I get home to see if it will fit. I drew it to scale on a piece of paper just to make sure before I order it. Now keep in mind that I will be taking it out it's housing to get it to fit inside the unit, hence eleminating the extra load. Oh btw problem solved with the charging. Feedbacks please.
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Got a USB hub that may work. It's a hybrid. I also attached pics of how I modified my cradle.

yetdy said:
Got a USB hub that may work. It's a hybrid. I also attached pics of how I modified my cradle.
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I got in late yesterday, and wasn't able to check the size against the cradle. I see you have slots for a flash card reader on yours, the question now is, have you found a spot to fit all that in there? The size of the one I saw looks like it would work, but it doesn't have the card readers in it. I think that would be very ideal to have in there too. Let me see pics of the final product, if you can get it to fit, if you can't no biggy i'll just do without the card reader in it.

tootallk2000 said:
I was considering this: http://www.upgradenation.com/Tripp_Lite_The_ultra_small_4-port/U222-004-R/partinfo-id-551698.html USB hub to implement into the docking station. Let me know what you guys think, I will check the size when I get home to see if it will fit. I drew it to scale on a piece of paper just to make sure before I order it. Now keep in mind that I will be taking it out it's housing to get it to fit inside the unit, hence eleminating the extra load. Oh btw problem solved with the charging. Feedbacks please.
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Click to collapse
What was the solution for charging? Have you talked with the folks at gpsforless or HTC to see if they could fix there design, by using the designs that you have developed so far? Or are you interested in making a couple extra docking stations for a fee? Sometimes we have more time than money and other times we are starved for time... Lately, I have been starved of time...
Thanks for taking the time to develop a solution that I have been dreaming about, while on the road traveling, ect...
Part of the work around that I was using was BT audio recievers, they have been a great work around, but also have some limitations as well...
I look forward to hearing and seeing good things from you in the future
v/r
Bob

yetdy said:
Got a USB hub that may work. It's a hybrid. I also attached pics of how I modified my cradle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you gotten any of the hubs to allow for you to power and recharge the device or spare battery via USB?

the usb hub works but it literally drains my battery so much that i prefer not to use it anymore.

Recharging Options

How are you guys recharging your HD2's? I've been relying on the USB connector at the bottom of the phone, but my concern is that after 'x' number of connects/disconnects that the socket will wear out as it started doing with my Kaiser.
Do you guys know of any pin-based adapter or battery hatch modification with external contacts that would enable us to lay the phone on a stand or platform without having to use the internal USB port on the phone which will eventually wear out? The 'powermat' would be great, but it's not available for the HD2. Does the new HTC car mount recharge the phone too, or is it just a bracket?
I'm thinking of something along the lines of how bluetooth headsets recharge, where the pins are external. It just worries me that the micro USB connector will eventually fail, which on a $700+ phone is not an attractive option.
Your thoughts?

The connector will not fail. At least unless you force/damage it yourself. It has been adopted as a connection/charge connector on ALL new phones now, of any brand, so you can bet they tested it thoroughly before.
If it fails.. well that's what the warranty's there for.
To answer the original question, I charge using USB, and also an external charger for my spares.

kilrah said:
The connector will not fail.
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I understand your point, but to my way of thinking it's still a physical connector made of metal and plastic. It will fail eventually, trust me. These connectors are tested to withstand a reasonable number of connect/disconnect cycles for the average user. But cell phones tend to get used more, and this phone among other cell phones because of the cpu and screen will need to be recharged even more so.
Also, I'm not talking about the point of failure, but the limit of usability. The connector on my Kaiser got to the point where the cable wouldn't stay lodged in the housing and would drop out of its own weight. Although it still worked, it made for awkward handling while in the car trying to use a coiled charging cable that would drop out on its own.
So what I was looking for was a replacement battery hatch which would connect with the internal contacts, and a corresponding mount/dock of some sort so that it would minimize the physical stress of multiple connections and disconnections.

BillTheCat said:
How are you guys recharging your HD2's? I've been relying on the USB connector at the bottom of the phone, but my concern is that after 'x' number of connects/disconnects that the socket will wear out as it started doing with my Kaiser.
Do you guys know of any pin-based adapter or battery hatch modification with external contacts that would enable us to lay the phone on a stand or platform without having to use the internal USB port on the phone which will eventually wear out? The 'powermat' would be great, but it's not available for the HD2. Does the new HTC car mount recharge the phone too, or is it just a bracket?
I'm thinking of something along the lines of how bluetooth headsets recharge, where the pins are external. It just worries me that the micro USB connector will eventually fail, which on a $700+ phone is not an attractive option.
Your thoughts?
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Click to collapse
I just got the car mount today. It Does recharge the phone - there's a mini usb plug built into the bracket, and a lead plugs into the base of the bracket, and then into your 12v socket. A nice touch, the lead is actually long enough to be able to route it nicely.

ebeam said:
I just got the car mount today. It Does recharge the phone - there's a mini usb plug built into the bracket, and a lead plugs into the base of the bracket, and then into your 12v socket. A nice touch, the lead is actually long enough to be able to route it nicely.
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Thanks, but what I was really after is a solution that does NOT involve the USB port on the phone.

I've seen battery chargers on Ebay. That's probably the only sensible solution if you're really that worried about the USB connector...
I think I remember reading something about some sort of wireless recharging pad that you can put phones and mp3 players on that would recharge them without any cables but I've got no idea if it would work on the HD2 or if they are even on sale yet.

There was old HTC CU S400 car Update Kit. It has direct conection to the battery throug back cover http://www.slashgear.com/htc-hd2-cu-s400-car-kit-gets-priced-detailed-coming-december-1360143/#entrycontent. New mount have MicroUSB connection http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?product=53E28901-63DD-4E93-99F6-BF3D0B88BD04

lachutm said:
There was old HTC CU S400 car Update Kit. It has direct conection to the battery throug back cover http://www.slashgear.com/htc-hd2-cu-s400-car-kit-gets-priced-detailed-coming-december-1360143/#entrycontent. New mount have MicroUSB connection http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?product=53E28901-63DD-4E93-99F6-BF3D0B88BD04
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Click to collapse
Yes, the former is along the lines of what I had in mind. Just surprised that no aftermarket solutions have been developed for the phone to make it easier to charge without wearing out that micro-usb connector.

As the mini USB port is a standard size, (not just used by HTC) if you should ever 'break it', most phone repair shops will be able to replace it quite easily.
A lot less hassle than opening up your phone to plug things in the back.

iDUDU Wireless car charger/mount/dock

Im looking for a wireless car charger, one that can be either attached to the vents, or to the windshield.
Also needs to have latest wireless charging capability without overheating and damaging your phone.
Also needs to be able to drop the phone into its cradle design and hold the phone without it falling out during driving.
I hate having to use both hands to place a phone in a car mount, i wanna be able to just drop it into a holding position and thats it.
This is the current product ive narrowed down to. Can anyone confirm if this is worthwhile or does anyone have other suggestions?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074NR2G9M/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1_w
thanks

TorxT3D said:
Im looking for a wireless car charger, one that can be either attached to the vents, or to the windshield.
Also needs to have latest wireless charging capability without overheating and damaging your phone.
Also needs to be able to drop the phone into its cradle design and hold the phone without it falling out during driving.
I hate having to use both hands to place a phone in a car mount, i wanna be able to just drop it into a holding position and thats it.
This is the current product ive narrowed down to. Can anyone confirm if this is worthwhile or does anyone have other suggestions?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074NR2G9M/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1_w
thanks
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Click to collapse
It may be great and work well but I can't trust my $1000 device to a product called iDuDu.... I doodoo on your expensive device. It's just me I guess. Let us know I don't have experience with mobile wireless fast charges. I reserve those for home only until Samsung releases an official one.

Is there a downside to constantly leaving my Pixel on a wireless stand?

I know that we shouldn't constantly charge phones (or overcharge them) but my wireless charging dock sits on my desk and is the natural place to place my phone when I'm working. Might this damage the battery over time and should I only use the stand when the phone needs a fuller charge? Thanks!
[EDIT: I say 'constantly' in the headline and really I mean 'often'.]

Depends on the charger but most should be fine.
Here is some advice from Belkin on it
https://www.belkin.com/us/resource-center/wireless-charging/safety/

Question Magnetic Mount for Car Issues - Any Advice/Suggestions

Hi All,
I have always gone without a case. (I wear suits a lot and the bulk of a case distorts the suit), for extra grip and the rare drop, I put Tactical Grip Tape around the outer edges of the phone and for 20 years, it's worked perfectly.
I have always attached a metal plate to the back of the phone to attach to a Vent Magnet Clip for use in the car, plug it into the car using a cord for Connectivity/Charging and for 20 years, this procedure has been incredibly efficient and reliable regardless of which vehicle I'm using.
HOWEVER ... the back of the S21U has a finish that nothing sticks too! (I haven't tried Super-Glues - yet).
So I bought a bunch of Car Chargers that grip the phone.
Turns out - very, VERY few are built to accommodate the large Camera Bump on the back of the phone and the phone! This screws with the Wireless Charging, which won't work on the S21U - they've all been returned. .
Of the few that will work with the S21U - they're all clunky, rarely release the phone when they're supposed to, sometimes requiring two hands to forcibly pull the phone from it's grip - they too have all been returned.
In this small category of mounts that work with the S21U, some require manual attachment (manual attachment = no Wireless Charging), some have Auto-Sensing (which all come with Wireless Charging) and will grip the phone when the phone is placed between the grips. When they work ... they work well ... but the percentage of when they work is about 60% - the other 40% I have to manipulate the rig to activate and close/grip the phone.
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE ...
... Andriod Auto via Bluetooth is AWFUL on the new Ram Pickup Trucks and most vehicles.
On the other hand, if you plug it in ... it's quite good!
So ...
If I use the Auto Sensing/Grip with Wireless charging and plug the phone into the USB port - it's good, but the mounts are a disappointment nearly half the time ... nothing works as efficiently and effectively as a metal plate on the back of the phone attached to a Vent Clip Magnet with the phone connected to the car via a USB Port.
Now here's the question:
Has anyone successfully attached a metal plate directly to the back of the S21U?
If so, did you modify (remove the finish off the back) to adhere the metal plate, or did you use a SuperGlue or Epoxy?
PART 2: If you did, where did you mount the magnet on the back of the phone so you could still get Wireless Charging on a home Cradle? (... or did you just give up on Wireless Charging altogether as I've done with all my previous phones because like me, you believe Magnetic Mount in the car is better than any Wireless Charging.)
I know this is a novel-read for some of you ... but it's a real issue for me and I'm trying to find a solution to a frustrating problem and I've GOT TO BELIEVE I'm not alone with this issue.
Thanks for reading ... and thanks for any/all input and ideas.
Gregory

I don't have the Ultra, but I do use my Pixel with a magnetic mount in my car.
I bought my cmount https://www.proclipusa.com/. They have a custom mount for each vehicle, and then you buy a magnetic holder to go along with it. I placed the magnetic plate along the bottom edge of the phone inside the thinnest case that I could get. and it doesn't effect wireless charging.
I also have a magnetic cable that connects the phone to the car... so I exclusively use wireless charging for my phone.

Insertnamehere12 said:
I don't have the Ultra, but I do use my Pixel with a magnetic mount in my car.
I bought my cmount https://www.proclipusa.com/. They have a custom mount for each vehicle, and then you buy a magnetic holder to go along with it. I placed the magnetic plate along the bottom edge of the phone inside the thinnest case that I could get. and it doesn't effect wireless charging.
I also have a magnetic cable that connects the phone to the car... so I exclusively use wireless charging for my phone.
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Click to collapse
You Are A God ! ! !
I absolutely LOVE the clips they have!
So much better than any/all alternatives and those Automatic ones! This is exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you!
Gregory