Adding Aftermarket Internal GPS to the CF-28

My Kingdom for an injection molding machine!

 

any luck on getting those from heartlands?

 

I just got my order in but didn't get any of those. You might try calling or emailing. You'll need a model number though. Even though (for this part) all CF-28s are the same... They won't process any order without a full model number. By the way.. They have the DC Port covers for only $1.63! I think once word gets out about that they sales on ebay will go down!

Off topic but since we are on the subject... I bought a few CF-28s that didn't have the connector cable in the hard drive caddy. I had the case and gel casing but no way to hook it up. They said they had the inner ribbon cable so I ordered it for $38. It came alright... With no rubber pulltab. Just the straight connection between the hard drive and the mobo. I'll need to fab something up for that I guess. Unless they can find them somewhere. I gave the the part numbers but they don't come up in their system.

 

I saw a few of the cables on eBay for $18 last night, just so you know.

 

Nope... Not that connector. (If it's what I saw.) I'm talking about the rubber pull tab that folds over onto the hard drive.

 

So, You are the one who purchased the rim board last night, I just turn my head to take a good look and its gone! Your lucky coz i am also decided to buy the thing.

 

Yup... I snagged it. If it is the same as the one I ordered online... I'll split the ribbon cable in two and have two boards.

 

I'm having issues with my antenna. I got a brand new cable, soldered it on, and when I connect it to the module, it shorts the module out so it doesn't even show up.

I gotta figure out what is wrong with this thing.

Edit; I stripped it badly or something, and crushed the inner sleeve, so the ground is touching my DC+. That's a huge "My bad" on my part.

Edit again; Or not. The cable just sucks. It self-grounds even with a clean cut.

Edit again; Got my antenna working. I get a lock upstairs, but the basement is killed. It is an old, old, old house with more metal duct work than most people could imagine.

 

Dude, I feel like an A55, I just got one of those DC Port cover about a week ago. From ebay for $20

 

If you need any other parts, make sure you throw it by us. We'll make sure you don't get screwed by some of the folk on eBay.

I'm really happy with the seller of the cables though, I explained that I cut it apart already and didn't expect anything , and he's sending out another one for me, so I'm very happy.

I'm really disappointed though in the guy I'm buying the keyboards from. He finally shipped them out last night, still hasn't emailed me back, and he's shipping them on the slowest ground service he could spent $5 on, with a grand total of over $25 in shipping charges to me. I feel like beating my skull in with my toughbook.

 

We live and learn. I've paid $20 in the past too... In a pinch when I needed one immediately to finish a project. I told them I wanted 20 of them and they told me I couldn't order that many. I told them I'd wait while they restocked. They did and finally shipped them out. No screws though. ANYTIME you order from Heartlandsi.com... Make SURE you look in the service manual and have the complete part! I knew about the screws... Most DC Port Covers are ripped off though leaving the screws and plate intact.

You literally need to use a checklist when ordering from them if you are ordering more than just a few items.

 

Toughbook, thanks i'll be checking with you before ordering any items in the future. You're well connected in the Toughbook arena.

 

This is the crowd to hand with to be "connected"...

 

How is the GPS mod going? And are we at the point to post an instruction sheet yet? I am real anxious to get mine mod'ed but wouldn't dream of trying without a step-by-step idiots guide.



~Paul

 

I'm gonna do up my 600 properly this weekend, and I'll try to take photos and do a writeup along the way.

Keep in mind, I've already soldered my connector onto my RIM board....

 

I'll be getting a board in the next few days. I'll take some pics as well. That's nothing though... It's routing the antenna that needs "splainin"...

I'm diggin' the avatar Modly...

 

Thanks man. I think my car looks good about an inch higher than being bottomed out. It was a great shot that I was lucky to have turn out so well.

Just incase anybody is wondering, I do drive it about 5" higher than that, because of how comfortable my air suspension is at that pressure. I can't feel anything on the road.

 

ohlip,

I use the Foxconn MINI PCI wireless 802.11B/G antenna and run it under the RJ45/RJ11 plate. It works great and fits well and not as hard to run. Hear is a pic of the antenna.





Recon

 

YOU Guys have been very very busy..........

 

the pink VW is back!!

 

Glad to see you back... Go ahead... Tell them where you've been!

 

A covert mission in the mountains of Afghanastan?

 

lol!!!
it was a last minute thing, desided to go camping with mates through europe,
was a laugh, watch afew football matches,
my hijet broke sold to too a guy in hungary for 200 euro's, still, was fun....................

 

Okay... I have been ordering all sorts of parts for the GPS going into the CF-28. Does anyone know the exact name of the MMCX connector that we need. Other than male MMCX. I've seen a few pics of the male MMCX connectors on ebay and they don't look like what we need. I also have seen an Orinoco type MMCX. I have one of those and it doesn't fit.

Anyone?

EDIT - I just ordered three Cisco type MMCX connectors. Since that was the type card that it was hooked up to in the wireless card and or RIM antennas I figured that would work.

 

Can you post a close up of the connector that you have?

 

I don't have them now... I just ordered them. I will be taking pics tonight of the soldering of the PC board though. I have a new RIM module board in the mail and two new GPS engines.

 

Ok ,
Can anyone give me some info regarding the rim board? I know someone ordered one from Tiger Direct,... Was it the right board, with cable? What would one search e-bay for, a part number, or rim board, or just by chance in Panasonic?
Ive looked through the parts diagrams, but just to find the part number of the back cover it took me 2 1/2 hours. Any help would be appreciated, maybe a thread somewhere with common parts and numbers for quick reference?

OR​

Is that all secret stuff that nobody shares?
​

 

I never got the word back from Recon (Who ordered the board from Tiger), so I don't know if it's the right one or not.

I'm taking a break from discovering GPS technologies and adapting them (too much of one thing makes me feel anxious), but in a few weeks to a month I'll look back into a completely aftermarket board idea.

Don't worry though, I'm full disclosure on my projects, so if you feel up for doing it yourself, I'm up for giving you the knowledge, so anything that I know that is of any use or relevance is in this thread already.

 

Okay... I ordered one of the board from Tiger also. I think I posted a few posts back that they are backordered. They are/were suppoed to ship on 12/12/07. As soon as I get it I'll let everyone know if it works or not. The model number is not in the service manual since it was an accessory and not actually part of the stock laptop. There was a link posted to the board but I don't think that there was a picture shown. So... I'm rolling the dice.

 

Cadillac... Good score here! I just ordered 2 sets of the MMCX connectors and 1 each of the antennas and cable/antenna. Shipping was $17USD. Sheesh! They take Paypal though... Which is great for me. I just got in my soldering station and am dying to put it to use. It has 10 tips and one of them should be able to do the job nicely! Not only that but when it comes to soldering on to the mobo when I figure out how to wire in the GPS without the daughterboard!

I'm hoping that the antenna I ordered above will serve well in place of the one from Jim Gray as it is about half the price. THAT would be nice.

You know... It's funny that Jim Gray quoted everyone a different price on prefab cables. He told me $25 for ready made and $15 for the parts. That is his way of saying he doesn't want to have to assemble them. He ships parts and has to hire someone to put stuff together.

 

Toughbook, that the GPS cable or the ribbon cable? If its the ribbon it should be around 5 euro a meter from a high priced supplier.
cheers

EDIT lost track of things. The coaxial cable is fairly cheap, around 2 euro a meter. Other than Cadillacs link I have no idea for the connectors, they should be crimped on with a simple hand crimper though.

 

Toughbook
Let us know how the antenna works compared to the one Jim Gray sells I know they have deferent specs but it still may work fine for our application.

Stan
Did you get my E-mail about helping these fine folks that are technically challenged with a GPS mod? Let me know if you are still interested.

Jim

 

I'll be taking pics of the nextone I do. I was going to do it on the 2nd one but had to rush it out. Now i'm waiting for the parts to arrive for the 3rd one.

 

I was trying to solder straight to the mobo to get this working. I have my soldering station in (finally!) but now need something to magnify where I need to solder. A good 10X magnifier would work great. I've been using an eye loop. Not only is it very uncomfortable and pops out all the time... I have to get so close to the PCB to get it in focus that I can't get the wires and soldering iron tip in at the same time. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good 10x magnifying visor? A 7x would probably work. I have a 2-3X bench light/lens but it isn't quite powerful enough. All the visors on ebay only go up to 4.8x. That may work but I'd like something a little stronger.

 

For a cheap & dirty.. go to the dollar store and get a pair of the highest magnifying "readers" .. use them with your light/lens...should make things a bit closer....

 

Good day to all of you. Was away on vacation and didn't get back till Friday. I see some headway was made but still waiting to make final on which antenna to use. Thanks for all your help in the meantime. Stugops

 

We've got a good antenna. We're trying to find a solution now that gets us away from using a panasonic daughterboard though.

 

waiting with both ears and eyes to hear and see what goes.

Stugops

 

I was gonna take photos this weekend of my install on my 600, but I ended up spending the majority of my day yesterday removing snow. We ended up with 10.5" total yesterday.

After I finish up this laptop for my friend tonight, I can start working on the GPS again... Assuming we don't get more snow.

 

Get a plow for the hearse!

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to get samples of this hirose connector?
http://www.hirose-connectors.com/connectors/H205SeriesGaiyou.aspx?c1=FH12&c3=3

The vertical contact type might be something easier to work with, before anyone blows out a motherboard.

 

You could get those connectors, I'm sure... But it would be a pain soldering them!

Well... I'm PISSED! I emailed Jim Gray as to the status of my antennas. I ordered 5 of them over a week ago. He emailed me back that they hadn't sent anything since "I never got back to them"... Apparently when we talked about cabling and MMCX connectors, he thought I was going to call him back with an order... Though I don't know why... He took my CC info and I told him I needed the 5 antennas ASAP! I just called them and Jim was out but one of his assistants was there. He said he didn't know why but would overnight me the antennas and THEY would incur the cost of shipping. So... I'll have them (supposedly) first thing in the morning. I have enough stuff (minus antennas) for one more GPS. I need to get that one installed and listed. Man I'm steamed...

Now... I need to get some magnifiers and try to get the mobo attachments licked!

 

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1112564
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/br...Ntt=50+way+0.5mm+ribbon&Ntx=&_requestid=92107
First one is for a connector, second is for the ribbon. Farnell have an identical connector to the ones used on the motherboard but they are around 3 times the price. Farnell will ship to the US but the datasheets are linked on the pages above so it should be simple enough to source in the US with the full part number.
cheers

 

Thanks, stan.d....

Looks like Digikey has them individually -

http://www.digikey.com/scripts/us/dksus.dll?Detail?name=OR732CT-ND

 

I'm ordering right now! Thanks for looking it up.

 

I just ordered a bunch of them... I hope they are what I need!

 

Well.... Ticked again... I just checked my TigerDirect order for the daughterboard. They sent me an email originally that said it was backordered but should ship by 12/7. Well... I just logged in and they are STILL backordered. I guess that probably means that these are old parts numbers and we'll never see these.

Just my guess.

 

Well... Heartlandsi.com has the daughterboards in stock... Though I'm still not sure they have the correctone. The part numbers I gave them (they said) were not any good. They gave me part number DL3UP1263AAA as the part number. They had 2 in stock and I bought them at a rather steep $125.06 each. They said if I had ordered any more they would be backordered. I have checked around the Internet and I've seen prices on them at $200 each... I guess the whole thing is to buy a laptop with it in there.

Modly... You got lucky!

 

To all,

I am still waiting on the RIM board from TigerDriect.com. I need to give them a call. You all will be the first to know.

Regards,

Recon

 

Well... The boards just got here from Heartland... They are the WRONG ones! I'm a little relieved as I will be getting my money back... But ticked that I will be running out of boards after selling this laptop I have on ebay!