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[Q] G1 Car Phone Power on USB

I'm building a simple G1 based solution to track my car using the phone's GPS capabilities.
Basically, the desired solution is that the G1 is wired to the car's accessory power system, and when the car is either started or the key is in the accessory position, the phone will be turned on and report its GPS coordinates occasionally.
I have most of the pieces put together for this... A G1 running cyanogenmod 6.1, a hacked up car charger that I can wire directly to car power, and some preliminary test software.
My problem, is that the phone doesn't automatically power up when plugged in. The problem scenario will be something like:
1) Car turns off
2) Phone goes on battery power.
3) I go on vacation and don't drive the car for two weeks.
4) Phone battery dies at some point.
5) Restart the car.
6) Battery starts charging. Phone never turns on. GPS tracking does not resume.
Any ideas on how to work around number 6? I don't supposed there's a firmware mod or something that changes the power-on behavior?
All ideas (even crazy mechanical ones) are welcome.
-Paul B. Davis

This is just an idea, so don't read too far into this...
How willing are you to modify the phone?
Here's why:
Ok...When you push the power button, it completes a circuit, causing the phone to power on.
1. Mod the phone, with a relay. This relay would switch one time per power cycle. Allowing for a quick one time completion of the power circuit, forcing the phone to power on when the car does. ...Turn the car off, the relay clicks again, turning the phone off. (Set the power button to turn off when pressed instead of sleep.) ..You could also go as far as to use a software mod to have the phone start a macro when the power button is pushed. This macro saves current state of whatever is running, then powers off. there are paid apps to do this BTW.
2. Set this program you will be using to autostart with the phone.
Viola... Problem solved. ...Easier said than done, I know. Just a thought though. Great idea BTW.

G1 Car Phone Power
Easer said than done.
Is a bit of an understatement.
even takeing off the case and seting up a relay onto the on/off button would not be a very neat solution. As a ciruit connected simply to the on/off button would not know the current state of the phone .
Is it off yet? is it on yet.
And simply checking the charging current would not reliably tell you if the phone is on or off . So you would need to find a power pin on the processor tracks that is held to vcc when the phone is on.
Hope this gives you some ideas.

This turned out to be an interesting project (and a PITA). I'll post pics at some point before I permanently deploy.
What I ended up doing was sort of splitting the difference on the relay issue.
As you suggested, I ultimately could not find anything approaching a software/firmware based solution for power-up on charger connect. To solve this problem, I took the phone apart until I got to the front button panel, and soldered small leads to the two sides of the power switch.
This was a particularly harrowing solder job, because the power switch conductors are actually tiny copper plates sealed into a flexible film. To get at them you have to partially dissect the film, remove the top half of the power's membrane switch, and then solder to the tiny plates without melting the film.
Anyway, once the leads were in place, I reassembled the phone. This was also a slight PITA because the front panel is engineered with no free space and now has to accommodate the new leads coming off the power switch.
After reassembly, I found a cheap timed relay circuit board that trips its relay for a variable length of seconds or minutes, and then goes dormant until being de-energized and then re-energized. I wired the relay to the power leads in parallel with a momentary power switch, wired the relay circuit to car power, set the circuit to 10 seconds, and it worked perfectly. Phone turns on every time.
It's not entirely deterministic, but I'm OK with it. Realistically, when has your phone ever NOT turned on when you held down the power button for 10 seconds?
The other half of the project was to catch the charger disconnect (car turning off) and power down. This was far simpler to implement, as the phone is rooted and I have access to everything I need to shut off.
I created a simple BroadcastReceiver that catches ACTION_POWER_DISCONNECTED and runs this little block of code to turn off the device:
Code:
Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec("su -");
java.io.OutputStream os = proc.getOutputStream();
os.write("reboot -p\n".getBytes());
os.flush();
os.close();
I haven't tested it extensively, but it seems to work as expected every time.
I could make this a little more deterministic by creating a service that watches the charger connected state and initiates a shutdown when it notices a state change to "disconnected," but it's not clear to me that a BroadcastReceiver is any more unreliable than a service that can be pushed out of memory.
I loaded it all up into a little plastic case, and it seems to work pretty well, so far.
-PBD

Android 9 HU - any way to make it work in ACC off mode?

So my Android 9 HU can only be powered on when either the engine is running or ignition is in ACC mode. The problem is that my car automatically exists ACC mode after 4min which means I can't really use the HU with engine off for longer than that. Is there any way to make such a unit work in ACC off mode?

You could tie the red and yellow wires together and connect them to the wire that always has power on but check the size of the fuse on that line it should be bigger than what's on the HU. Better yet and if the line can't support the power needed just run a new wire straight off the battery positive and make sure to add a fuse near the battery. Now if your car has shunt and a bunch of wires coming off the battery that means it monitors the battery and can cut current from it (called load shed). I'm not sure how it's going to react but worst case it will detect an error and turn the engine light on.

If you put it to constant power it will never switch off, as those units do not have an on/off switch, and will drain your battery in 2-3 days.
If you connect both head unit wires to the cars contant power you need to make a switch or so in the head unit ACC wire. So you can actively switch it to sleep mode.

Incrase time "power off delay when acc off"

Hi, I bought a Chinese navigation for a Peugeot 307, the problem is that the maximum time I can set to stay on after cutting the ignition is a maximum of 5 minutes, I need more time because I often listen music at a nature outing. Do you want a solution? Navigation has android 10. I will attach some pictures with the navigation.

Please post a picture of the setting for this.
The ignition has 3 positions...OFF, Accessory, On. On is a temporary position used to start the engine.
If I'm not mistaken, the setting is for how long it will take the head unit to completely turn off after the ACC has no power and the ignition is OFF. So, if you leave the ignition in accessory mode, then the radio will continue to be powered during the entire time. My Sorento has a 15 minute timer where if it is left in accessory mode, it will power down that mode...to save battery. When this happens, I open and close the door.
When you turn the ignition completely off, the head unit stays powered for a brief period of time. I believe the setting you are referring to is the length of this period of time. Maybe it was designed this way so that it can shut down properly. I believe this is a new feature. I have a TEyes SPro where this setting does not exist. The setting is only available on newer models and newer firmware, I believe.

Hi, my ignition has only two positions, off and on, I miss the accessories position. I understand that this is the case for all 307 models. In the first image you have the starting position, when I put it in this position, the navigation starts, but for a maximum of 5 minutes I can set it in image 2. I checked with a meter and the pulse which gives it is to the bus, from 3 to 4.5v when the ignition is on. Is it possible to modify a file in the android system to increase that shutdown time by a maximum of 5 minutes as much as possible?

Are you sure there is no accessory position? I believe most, if not all, cars have this position. I don't think I've seen a car without an accessory position.
I have a push button start and if I push the button without pressing the brake pedal, it goes into accessory mode. I need to press the brake pedal at the same time that I press the ignition button to start the car.
I found two different owner's manual for a Peugeot 307 that shows there should be an accessory position. So, I think this should do what you're looking for. As for the "file" to increase the shutdown time, I'm not aware of any way to do this:
I found the manuals here:
PEUGEOT 307 AUTOMOBILE MANUAL
View and Download PEUGEOT 307 manual online. 307 automobile pdf manual download.
www.manualslib.com
PEUGEOT 307 OWNER'S MANUAL Pdf Download
View and Download PEUGEOT 307 owner's manual online. 307 automobile pdf manual download.
www.manualslib.com
If yours is like the image with 3 positions, then it doesn't really seem like an accessory position, but it looks like that may be your only option.

Another option occurred to me. ACC provides power when in the Accessory or ON position. One option is to provide power to ACC even when the car is off. For example, you can add a switch that normally connects the car ACC wire to the head unit ACC wire. When you want to turn the head unit on where no power is available on the ACC car wire, you flip the switch to an alternate power source for the head unit ACC wire. This could be something like an external power supply or have the ACC connect to the car 12V wire. When I was testing my head unit on the kitchen table, before installing it into my car, I connected both 12V and ACC on the head unit to a jump starter.
You should note that there could be other issues with the car battery DISCHARGING TOO MUCH if you forget to switch back and you'll be stuck and need a boost or worse....damage your car battery. Also, you should make sure that the voltage added to the car ACC wiring does not feed back to the car...I'm not sure what would happen in that case....maybe other bad things.
If your not sure about this hardware modification, you could always have someone at a stereo shop or someone with similar skills have a look and/or do this for you.
NOTE: This should go without saying for any information you are provided, but, these are suggestions and ideas and you should verify them for yourself. Any issues that arise are solely your responsibility.

I'm sorry mate, but P307 have battery power saving feature. there is no ACC ON position, but if you leave key in second position, after few minutes battery icon will show or start blinking and car will go to 'sleep" - turning off all accessories.

Android Head Unit keeping BMW from entering sleep mode.

I recently installed an Android Head unit in my 2012 BMW 128. I have the HiFi non HK stereo.
Sound works fine. Steering wheel controls also work (set for an E90 to match the canbus decoder that was included. There is no option for E82)
GPS/WiFi, etc all work as expected.
The issue I'm having is that when I shut the car off and lock it, it never goes to sleep. Normally it takes 15-20 minutes for it to finish all the checks and enter sleep mode but with the power connected to the Android unit, that process never stops. I've waited hours and came back to it still making noises, the start button periodically lighting up, etc.
If I disconnect the power cable to the head unit/canbus controller, the car goes to sleep as expected. I have gone into the factory settings and disabled sleep mode which causes the stereo to have to boot when you start the car but that also didn't resolve the issue.
I have not connected the extra yellow cable to the fuse panel - I understand that's for clock/radio presets but those are not of concern at the moment.
I can't find any settings on the head unit that would be causing this. The yellow power appears to flow through the canbus controller to the head unit because if you disconnect the canbus controller the head unit will not power on so I tend to think it's likely the canbus controller that's the culprit.
Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue and how they resolved it?

Connected the yellow cable to the power for the 12v outlet and the car goes to sleep as expected.

Bumping my own old thread.
Connected to fuse #2 in the panel and the car would sleep and the stereo retains clock, etc but I get a battery drain warning.
Went back to 12v outlet and no more battery drain but it cold boots every time I start the car.
If anyone stumbles across this and has a solution please let me know!

Can't shutdown my head unit

Hello everyone,
I have the following chinese head unit. When I switch the ignition off, it only closes the screen but the head unit itself keeps operating.
It keeps paired with my bluetooth and hotspot. Doesn't shutdown.
I tried to install an application for shutdown and when I use it is shuts the unit down and then reboot it..
I tried to enter the factory settings and switch it to direct shutdown but no use. I also tried to enter from the factory settings (Engineering debugging menu) and switch it to user settings but still no use.
Can anyone help how to shutdown this head unit?? It keeps draining my battery as it when I tried to measure the parasite load when it is running but screen shutdown and it was 0.6 Amps. which is a lot...
My last resort is to make an external power switch to it.. which I really don't like but what can I do...
Waiting for your feedback as you might help me with it!
Thanks in advance.

Mine has a connector for demo mode that I had to unplug so the head unit will turn off when the switch is off

So you have to physically pull out a connector for it to power off...
But in this case it won't shut down... you will just cut the power off it. Isn't that harmful to the unit hardware and software?

There are two reasons why unit is not to shuting down...
First - in "settings" or "infotainment" area find UNIT TIMEOUT / SHUTDOWN SETTING , must be at value "0 min" instead of max min.
Second - Red wire (ACC+ KEY) from cable harness is connected to 12V battery constant (usually it is yellow wire), switch those and see if helps. Key for ignition must turn unit off when shuts down engine.

Anton TNT said:
There are two reasons why unit is not to shuting down...
First - in "settings" or "infotainment" area find UNIT TIMEOUT / SHUTDOWN SETTING , must be at value "0 min" instead of max min.
Second - Red wire (ACC+ KEY) from cable harness is connected to 12V battery constant (usually it is yellow wire), switch those and see if helps. Key for ignition must turn unit off when shuts down engine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already connected the Acc wire to the Acc, that's why when I switch the engine off and remove my key the unit only closes the screen but it doesn't shutdown.
For the Unit timeout option, or shutdown option, I can't find it on my unit OS... tried the search function and tried going through each and every bailable list and choice but didn't find it!!!!!!!!!

Connect both ACC and +12V wires from HU to car ACC. This way, when ignition is off HU power is off.

m00n61 said:
Connect both ACC and +12V wires from HU to car ACC. This way, when ignition is off HU power is off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think that's a good idea. Because this will interrupt power supply completely when you turn off ignition. This way the head unit has no chance to shutdown or switch into sleep mode. It's like removing the battery from your laptop.

smsm_elnabawy said:
I already connected the Acc wire to the Acc, that's why when I switch the engine off and remove my key the unit only closes the screen but it doesn't shutdown.
For the Unit timeout option, or shutdown option, I can't find it on my unit OS... tried the search function and tried going through each and every bailable list and choice but didn't find it!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know your head unit but there may be an ACC delay option.
Some head units allows to set up a waiting time up to 60 minutes before shutdown/sleep.

TorstenH said:
I don't know your head unit but there may be an ACC delay option.
Some head units allows to set up a waiting time up to 60 minutes before shutdown/sleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TorstenH said:
I don't know your head unit but there may be an ACC delay option.
Some head units allows to set up a waiting time up to 60 minutes before shutdown/sleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, that's my point of view.

TorstenH said:
I don't know your head unit but there may be an ACC delay option.
Some head units allows to set up a waiting time up to 60 minutes before shutdown/sleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find it t all in my options!

smsm_elnabawy said:
I can't find it t all in my options!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option for that just need to find it, if not in settings or in infotainment area try in factory settings

Okay as an update for the situation,
I couldn't find an option for it, however, I installed an APK file for shutdown and restart.
In addition I rewired it so that the main +12V wire to an (on/off) switch, when I want to shut it down, I just use the APK I installed, wait until it shuts down, when it tries to restart again I use the On/Off switch to permanently power it off....

smsm_elnabawy said:
Okay as an update for the situation,
I couldn't find an option for it, however, I installed an APK file for shutdown and restart.
In addition I rewired it so that the main +12V wire to an (on/off) switch, when I want to shut it down, I just use the APK I installed, wait until it shuts down, when it tries to restart again I use the On/Off switch to permanently power it off....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok , but there is no need for application, on factory settings when you type in PIN codes just enter PIN 1414 and device will shut down, that is code for my device.

Anton TNT said:
Ok , but there is no need for application, on factory settings when you type in PIN codes just enter PIN 1414 and device will shut down, that is code for my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really?? didn't know that.. I will try it and let you know the result.
Thanks a lot

Did you find a solution for this issue? My head unit stays in sleep mode forever and does not turn off, although I have set the sleep delay in factory settings correctly.

kabelgleichung said:
Did you find a solution for this issue? My head unit stays in sleep mode forever and does not turn off, although I have set the sleep delay in factory settings correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is wrong with sleep? Answer: Nothing!

kabelgleichung said:
Did you find a solution for this issue? My head unit stays in sleep mode forever and does not turn off, although I have set the sleep delay in factory settings correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sleep delay? Are you talking about ACC delay?
Nothing is forever but how long is your forever? Usually the head units stay in sleep mode for around three days before shutdown.

TorstenH said:
Sleep delay? Are you talking about ACC delay?
Nothing is forever but how long is your forever? Usually the head units stay in sleep mode for around three days before shutdown.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes ACC delay. The delay is configurable. I have set it to 10 - there is no unit, but the unit does not turn off after 10 (seconds|minutes|hours). As maximum is 3600, I presume the unit is not days.

kabelgleichung said:
Yes ACC delay. The delay is configurable. I have set it to 10 - there is no unit, but the unit does not turn off after 10 (seconds|minutes|hours). As maximum is 3600, I presume the unit is not days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ACC delay means: how long to wait before entering sleep mode after ignition is off. This has nothing to do with the sleep duration. I don't know any head unit which allows to configure sleep duration.
[ign off] --> [ACC delay] --> [start to sleep]