Docking Station Questions

So, I bought a used vehicle docking station a couple months ago for my CF-28. It's made by "Precision Mounting Technologies", it's the one with a flexible LED light and the locking mechanism to prevent removal of the computer without a key. I finally got it mounted in my vehicle today, but have not wired it in yet. It seems that there are only 2 wires coming out of the switch on the docking station, one red (assuming that's for 12v constant), one black (assuming that's for ground). If these wires aren't wired in, would this prevent the Toughbook from powering on? The docking station has the jack for the power supply to plug into, and I've tried plugging the docking station in with the laptop's power supply, but the toughbook will not power on while it's docked in the docking station. It works fine outside of the docking station, but not while docked. I'm going to wire the docking station into the vehicle in a few minutes, hopefully that will solve the problem, but I was just wondering if there were a specific reason why it won't work without these wires hooked up. . . I searched online, and I couldn't find anything about the mount I have, so any information you guys may have is much appreciated.

 

Just because you see wires hanging doesn't automatically mean that you have the power supply as some have them and some don't. Not sure about yours... I would proceed with caution...

 

If all else fails .....Google it
http://www.precisionmounts.com/installation-instructions.html
and
http://www.precisionmounts.com/panasonic.html

 

Seems like those wires only power the LED light. . . Hooked them up, the computer still shuts down/refuses to boot when it's docked.

I tried Google, and those links provide absolutely no information regarding the problem I'm having. Only instructions on how to install the mount, which I've already done. I don't think mine has the power supply, I may have to get one, but it seems to me that the dock is bad.

 

I would send them a email "Contact Us" on the support page and see what happens. They might even help you ....never know

 

Not sure on this model but on Gamber Johnson units you have a choice of hard wiring it to the vehicle or using a standard laptop power supply. If you use a standard laptop power supply then the wires that are hanging out are just taped off. If the power is not getting through then you might want to inspect the docking connector pins as it is common for them to get damaged in shipping or during removal and storage. Also look for any levers or switches that may need to be engaged to dock to the laptop.

 

This one has a lever on the right side that must be pushed towards the rear of the mount to dock the computer. To remove the key from the mount, this lever must be pushed to the rear. There is only one switch on the unit, the one that turns power on for the LED light.

I think I was sold a junk docking station. I was looking at the top surface, it looks like someone wrote "Bad" on it, and it was painted over with black paint. I'm looking for another mount, but I'm going to email the manufacturer of this one to see if they have any idea what could be wrong with the unit.

 

On my Gamber/Johnson you have to engage the lock until the power goes to the computer. Mine uses the external power supply.

Can you take it apart to see what is defective?

Did you check your BIOS settings? Not sure on your model# though. On my CF-30 MK3 it has a setting in the BIOS for the Port Replicator to be enabled.

 

Checked the BIOS settings, then double-checked. Everything was set up properly for the port replicator.

On a positive note, I left the computer on the charger last night, power off, and went out this morning, fired the car up, plugged in the power invertor, plugged the laptop in, and just for fun, tried to power on the laptop. The laptop powered up, and the port replicator worked fine with the USB ALDL cable I had hooked up to it. All seems to be working fine now, maybe it just wouldn't power up because the battery was just too low before? I don't think the battery was charged past maybe 30% the last several times I tried it, this morning, however, it was sitting at 99%, and booted right up. . . Next step is to get the right power adaptor for the mount, and hardwire it into the car, so the computer will turn on/shut down with either the ignition or a toggle switch. I should probably upgrade my alternator as well, I've been noticing that it strains a bit with the laptop powered by the power inverter. . .

 

I have several new "white box" Lind hard-wire power supplies for the CF-28.

PM me for details.

 

No worries there. A 12V power supply consumes only a few amps, about the same as a set of brakes lights and far less than headlights.

However charging the computer from your battery when the car is not running might make starting the next day a bit sporting if the battery is weak. Believe Emergency vehicles use special power supplies that shut off the dock power when the ignition is off longer than 2 hours.

 

Here's one for the CF-29 and others, but not the CF-28.

 

As far as I know, all Lind power supplies will shut down automatically before they kill the vehicle battery. I have some available for both the CF-28 and CF-29 for a lot less than you will find them on eBay.
CAP

 

Just go with Lind and never worry or look back. Best chargers made. Period...