LED Vehicle mount question??

I received my LEDco vehicle mount recently which Gravitar kindly bought on my behalf and sent to the UK for me (Many thanks Dude - I owe you one!)

I am going to start an install pretty soon but wondered if anyone can help me out identify the ports or answer my questions about the ports?



1) Replicator port from LED mount
2) ?? Unknown 9 pin DIN ??
3) 2 x USB - is it OK to add a small USB hub to one of these?
4) Power input - will this run OK straight off the 12v/14v vehicle power (with fuse) or do I need an invertor?
5) Speaker output/Mic input
6) ?? Unknown 9 pin DIN ??
7) Replicator port from LED mount
8) ?? Unknown ??
9) PS2 input/output?
10) ?? Unknown 4 x 9 pin DIN ??

The most important questions are:

Is there a video output amongst that lot where I can run to a remote screen? (7" monitor)

Will the unit power OK directly from the vehicle supply or do I need a power pack to run it?

Due to limited space up front I am hoping to remote mount the CF-28 and run the system from a 7" touchscreen in the dashboard. I have already got the screen up & running with the Toughbook (using the VGA output port) so I can use it to navigate - but I now need to work out how to run it through the vehicle mount?

Any help would very gratefully received.

Bruce.

P.S. Here is the 7" touchscreen working. The touchscreen works via USB which isn't an issue - if I can just get an output to it from the vehicle mount I'll be a VERY happy boy!

 

MM, Email LEDco, they have great customer service. I recieved schematics, pin outs and a very enthusiastic offer for any further assistance overnight when I had a question. There is a power converter for 16v +/- in the box. http://ledco.net/contact.php

 

Many thanks for that Capt.

I have now emailed LEDco and await their response. It's good to know that the unit has the power converter, but none of it will be any use if I can't get a screen output from it! I wait with much anxiety.

Thanks again....

 

Looks like you have them all figured out for the most part... The 9 pin connectors are serial connectors. In the days before USB this was the only way to connect... Or one of the ways I should say.

#8 looks to be a printer port... What ot looks like to me anyway.

#9 is PS2 input for mouse or keyboard probably...

What you might try is using the search terms on Google like, "LED Mount PDF" or whatever the exact model number is in place of LED. I have found by just using the model number followed by "PDF" it will usually pull up a manual from somewhere.

Good luck... And a big "THANKS" to Gravitar for going out of his way to help you. That's what we're all about here!

 

When I bought it, the photo wasn't too clear and I made the assumption that one of the 'D' connectors was a 15pin VGA output.

Since receiving it (Thanks again Grav!) I noticed that all the 'D' connectors were 9 pin and since posting this morning have pretty much given up hope of any of then being a screen output.

I checked the lead for the 7" touchscreen and it does have the standard 15 pin VGA plug on it - however, the lead unplugs nearer the unit and the plug/socket is actually a nine pin round socket very similar to an S-Video connector. This got me thinking again and I just found the following information on a website:

"The extra wires from the 15 pin plug only carry stuff like monitor ID data. Provided the wire and plugs are good enough quality, you can adapt 15-pin VGA back down to 9-pin VGA for transmission and lose nothing but the computer's knowledge of the monitor's specs."

This has raised a glimmer of hope that one of the 9 pin sockets may in fact be a video output? I await LEDco's response on this?

I'm at my girlfriends right now, but when I get home, I'll look up the number on the back of the unit and see if I can track any info on it? Thanks for the tip on that one TB....that's exactly what this forum is all about!

Cheers for now....MM

 

OK - I'm home now and looked up the number from the label on the side....and nothing.

The number is A28-002825 although this is a paper label and could have been added by the user? I certainly can't find any reference to it on the net.

I've also been looking at 'back-up' plans and saw this on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BN-Panasonic-Po...oryZ3709QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This has a VGA output and a USB which is just what I need - I've got a LIND DC power supply, so this could power it....but what is there to support the CF-28? Shouln't there be a larger baseplate or something?

If I mounted the CF-28 on this, wouldn't the front 3/4 be 'floating' in mid air? Would the notebook stay fixed to it securely or is there something else needed?

Sorry to throw another load of questions at you guys, but I really want to get this install done in time for some serious off-road organised for 8th June!

 

If you need to call them, let me know. I believe they are local to me (and Gravitar), in Westland, Michigan. (Just down the street from my ex girlfriend if I recall).

It would be far cheaper for us to call them if that is how you need to get ahold of them

Edit; Found their location. They are even closer to me, in Plymouth, MI.

 

Don't know about 6 and 2 but they look like extra serial ports.
10 should be a bank of serial ports.
9 looks like a real DIN, not a ps/2... one of those for the much older keyboards from the time of 286s and turbo buttons
8 looks like a parallel port.
7 looks like ps/2 for a combo keyboard/mouse cable
From the picture, 1 looks like a SCSI port

 

This is just a port replicator, so you can dock the CF-28, without having to disconnect all the cables, while you bring the unit to and from work. Won't cut it for in-vehicle use.

 

One of the two ps-2 looking receptacles is for the CF-VDL01 Display and the CF-VKBL01M keyboard which is what I have and why I was talking to LEDco a couple of years ago. The Video is connected through a "RGB" cable, my BOB is different than yours so I'm not sure which of the unidentified 9 pin sockets you would use. The very helpful guy there is/was Drew Tierney [[email protected]]. I'm not sure what the connector is called, but the dock is definitely set up for that remote monitor. I can PM you the manual for those if you like.

 

Thanks again Capt for the insight (and also to Modly for the offer of the phonecall... )

If I read your post correctly, you are saying that one of the 9pin DIN sockets is possibly a monitor feed?

I have researched different connectors and can get hold of a 9pin to 15pin lead which should work between this BOB and my monitor (as long as one of the sockets gives a video out)

Of the two PS2 style sockets, #7 definitely works with one of the leads from the vehicle mount (the other being #1) because the leads only connect to these two sockets.

I've taken a shot of the inside of the box which shows that the top four sockets (#10) are labelled as "LEDco Advanced Hub USB to Serial" - so these obviously aren't monitor outputs? (Leaving #2 & #7 as the only possibles) These four are labelled K1 - K4



Also - peering underneath the upper PCB (not brave enough to remove it!) the lower PCB has a label "Dock Supply K6" which connects with 8 wires to the back of connector #2 confirming that this is what I surmised about its use.

Even without removing the upper PCB I can see there is no other 'distinguishable' labelling on any other part of the lower PCB.

Connector #9 is labelled 'K7', #2 is labelled 'K10' but I cannot find anything labelled around #6.

The plot thickens!

 

Sorry but you don't have video on that break out box, if I remember correctly if equipped, the vga comes directly from the docking station via a long cable with a VGA connector. If yours is not equipped you will see a hole with a plastic plug over it, thats where the VGA cable would come from.

Open up the docking station itself and if your lucky there will be a full size VGA connector attached to the circuit board from which you can run your VGA cable out to your monitor.

 

MM, If you PM me your email I'll send you the manual for the CF-VDL01 and you'll see what I mean. You may not be familiar with this unit, it's a remote touch screen and keyboard system which uses the PS-2 to go to the keyboard, thence to the monitor as a "function cable". The other cable which Panasonic calls "RGB" is the monitor lead. RGB, if I remember correctly, used to refer to the display feed for color monitors back in the days of IBM PC's and AT's.
Edit: Actually went and looked at the cable and the manual. Video is a "D sub-15pin female". You don't seem to have one although my LEDco dock does.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-oISjQd9t2FF/learningcenter/home/connections_glossary.html?term=rgb

 

Beat me to the punch I couldn't resist but to take a few pics of this rig as well.. here they are.

 

Yeah you're right, the port replicator by itself is meant for tabletop use and wouldn't be suitable at all for supporting the toughbook by itself. BUT.. They did also have a version of the port replicator with the necessary support for vehicle mounting..

 

Thanks for that. I opened up the docking station today (as in Grav's photos) but no VGA cable or connector. Oh well - seems this kit wasn't meant to be!

I'll email LEDco anyway and see if there is any way of picking up a VGA feed from the spare pins in some of the plugs on the docking station board??

Thanks Dude - I'll be looking for one of these if I can't get any joy from LEDco. I might be calling on you again soon if I get the news I'm expecting! Do you mind??

 

I have just sent another email off to LEDco (to the email address you supplied Capt ) in the hope that they may be able to help me out with my last shot on this vehicle mount...

If they can confirm the pin allocation of a VGA feed from some (15) of the spare pins then I reckon I can do this. As long as each & every pin on the four connector blocks goes back to one of the contacts on the port replicator socket, then there is no reason wy I can't hook a lead up to the corresponding pins and get a VGA signal?

I have drawn up a diagram of the spare pins and sent this along with a photo in the hope that it might be of some use in getting some info back?





Fingers crossed heh??

 

Looks to me like it's time to start poking around with a oscilloscope...

mnem
Or maybe, get a even-sillier-scope...

 

Nah.... Just start applying 12V to all the wires and see what lights up!

 

Great thread so far...
I'm hoping to do the same thing, boot mount the lapy and run it all off a 7" touchscreen up front, with remote GPS Antenna build into the dash and Wifi Antenna install in the rear parcle shelf. All after reading Picoshark great thread on Toughbook Wardriving with Linux. Tho still learning all about Linux and seting up the lapy with all the needed software.

I have this one on the way soon from the states as you cant get them here in Aus for that cheap, more like an arm and a leg here... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330238236677&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014


The Port box looks just like yours Mystery Machine, I went to the LEDco web site that capt.dogfish (Thanks Capt. ) give the link to, but I cant seem to find my model there. So I need to wait till it gets here so I can see what the model No is. If anyone knows about the CF-28 TOUGHBOOK POLICE, LED DOCKING STATIONs that would be a great help.

And Mystery, good luck with them wire's. A auto test light always works for me

 

Mmmmhmmm... great way to let the magic smoke out of those little bits soldered to the big green cardboards...



mnem
Aww MAN! Why do I always miss the fireworks?

 

Ok, so what is the the 7" display? Maybe I missed it in the thread but I would like to find a touchscreen in dash display that also hooks up to my car speakers.

 

Look at the video on the first post and you'll see. It's a single depth unit that fits into the dashboard - although I am also going to be keeping my original stereo because it can stream music from my phone with the bluetooth.

 

What is the brand? I saw the video and it looks like what I'm looking for. Is it a radio or just a display?

 

I just watched the video... God I love the English accent of the woman on the news in the background... I particularly like the "Discovery of the severed head" story!

VERY cool stuff with the touchscreen in the dash. I am getting ready to sell my Hummer. I'm getting tired of the $100+ fill-ups! I am debating on mounting my new CF-30 on a removeable mount in the next vehicle I get... Or going with a CF-28 or 29 mounted under a seat or in the trunk and mounting a touchscreen in the dash. Nice to know you guys are out there pioneering stuff like that. If I were to go with the in-dash setup... I would still like to make the lappy easily removeable just in case I needed it while on the road. Maybe a Ledco or similar mount in the trunk mounted sideways or something...Pull the bar and it pops out? I guess it depends on what I get and how much room I have.

Very cool though!

 

Just have a look on Evilbay mate, there are lots there. Only comes down to if you and a sinlge or 2 DIN setup. I am looking at something like this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-7-In-Dash-VGA-Touch-Screen-Monitor-for-Car-PC-GPS_W0QQitemZ300228687718QQihZ020QQcategoryZ32826QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem as I only need the screen and none of the other options that come with a lot of the other players. eg like dvd player, gps or AM/FM radio and the like. But if you want all that stuff, have a look at this just to give an idea for whats out there... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/900-7-TFT-LCD-TOUCHSCREEN-TV-MONITOR-FM-GPS-DVD-PLAYER_W0QQitemZ320259410179QQihZ011QQcategoryZ75327QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem it comes with all bar a coffee maker, tho I dont know about how good it would end up being as its from hong kong. I guess if you find the one you want then you can go to your local car audio shop and ask them for one that fits your needs.

The car player I have in already has a usb input so I just connect that to the cf28 and play all the muisc I have on the HDD, eg no more cd's laying around in the car. On that thought I will have to run a usb hub up front in the dash somewhere for that and the screen input.

 

Action - that first unit is identical to the one I've got and will be using. I'm probably going to rig up a reverse/rear camera to it as well (might as well use the functions if they're there!)

The second unit you've shown wouldn't be suitable for running a computer (CF-28 or anything else) because it has no VGA input - the touchscreen is there purely to run the UI on the unit. Always check to see if the unit has VGA input before thinking of buying (and USB touchscreen interface)

 

If you're looking for a single DIN unit with the capability to remote control a PC and act as a normal stereo unit (albeit with DVD etc...) then take a look at THIS ONE by Xenarc. Not cheap, but certainly a solution??

 

Are there any specific identifiers that might allow one to be sure to get the same model on the USA version of ebay or some other source, please?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-7-In-Dash...QQcmdZViewItem

Since you have tested it as reliable with the CF-28 -- why try to reinvent the wheel and get it wrong?

 

I'm feelin ya man.. Just put $140 into the suburban, and that's with our $0.30 grocery store discount AND the grocery store happened to be the last place around here to raise the prices today.. So we were paying $3.65 instead of the $4.09 at all the regular gas stations around here. It probably would have been $200 to fill it up if we weren't getting such a good price!

We've been REALLY cutting back on our usage of the suburban lately.. pretty much only drive it if we have to haul all the kids somewhere. Hopefully today's fill up will last us through the month!

 

Mystery Machine, nice to know that I got one out of two right lol

Yes I did know that the 2nd link didnt have a VGA connection but it did have a usb port, tho in hindsite I should have read all of it as its not a usb vga support player. Good pick up.

 

Would this be the same as the one that works real well?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=9716756720

 

No - you need one that has the three following things:

A) VGA input
B) Touchscreen
C) USB touchscreen interface

Without all three the unit is useless for running any form of PC.

If you have to go single DIN then the two units shown (mine and the Xenarc) will do the job but mine has no stereo/audio - it's just a 'standalone' touchscreen (leaving you with the Xenarc)

Another option if you have room in the dashboard is to buy a double DIN unit - take a look HERE for some options.

If you've got the space, go for a seperate screen and a dedicated stereo unit. Easier to track a VGA screen and then you're free to choose any stereo you like (with decent sound and nice interface etc...)

Whatever you go for, you'll need the three things listed above. Google is your friend.

 

Thanks for the necessary specs and link - tough to ID the stuff at that link as far as price and availability. Will keep my eyes open on geeks.com and newegg.com and the like for something with those specs - but will probably wait for someone on the Forum to locate something affordable that also works well. Been burned one too many times guessing on technology!

 

Well it's been nearly two weeks since I sent emails to LEDco and no hint of a response!

I sent one to Drew Tierney as given by Capt. Dogfish (thanks Dude), but also sent one to tech support just in case Drew no longer works there.

I left it a while because I know it's not the sort of thing they can respond to immediately, but thought I would have heard back by now?

I tried to be as polite and as informative as a dumb-ass Brit can be, so don't think it was my email manner - maybe they just don't support this type of thing anymore?? Here is a copy of my email - anything obviously wrong??

"Hi there,

I was given your details by a CF-28 owner on the Toughbook forum who said you may be able to help me?

I have a CF-28 Toughbook and recently managed to get my hands on one of your fantastic vehicle mounts (which is not easy seeing as I live in the UK!)

I am building an in-car system and the CF-28 combined with your vehicle mount will form the core of this system. The main thing I am looking to achieve is to run the CF-28 from a remote touchscreen on the dashboard and therefore need to use a VGA/monitor output from the vehicle mount.

Once I’d received the vehicle mount, I noticed that there are no VGA/monitor outputs on the break-out box which was my fault for assuming there would be one. I have also taken the casing off the vehicle mount to see if there is any form of VGA output in there, but I cannot see one?

My ultimate question is this: please can you tell me if there is any way to pick up a VGA output from any of the spare pins on the sockets/plugs inside the vehicle mount?? My father is an electronics engineer and so could wire the VGA lead up to the correct pins for me, but I was wondering if there is anyway of letting me know what pins on the connectors are the correct ones to use?

I know this is a lot to ask, but I would be very grateful for your help because I really need to get this system up & running, but cannot do anything unless I can get a VGA output from the vehicle mount. I cannot see why a VGA output can’t be made from the connectors in the mount if they all link up to one of the pins from the port replicator from the Toughbook?

I have attached a photo of the break-out box and also of the wiring connectors inside the vehicle mount which are directly connected to the port replicator. I’ve also drawn up a quick diagram showing the spare pins on the connectors. I hope this may be of some use for you to be able to help me with this?

Many thanks for your time and kind regards from the UK,

Bruce Holder."

Any ideas about what I can do next??

I sent another copy of the email again today 'just in case' but I'm starting to get a bit despondent now becase I am sure it can be done – but just need some help from them to figure it out.

Close but no cigar (yet!)

I’m not giving up….I’m not I tell you…..!!

 

Bruce,
I'm sorry you're not having the same experience I had with LEDco. If you need someone to make a call I'd be happy to. Maybe they just don't care as it's obvious they aren't going to get any money out of you. PM if you want me to try a call.

 

Many thanks for the kind offer and until 30 mins ago I would have been PM'ing you with much haste - but fate/luck must be on my side today because I received an email not long ago from Steve Mills from LEDco. I reckon it's karma or something??

"Bruce;

With this style of docking station there was a VGA harness that connected to the docking connector board and exited from the dock. It did not connect to the Break Out Box.

We can do some checking on this end and either come up with one of the harnesses or the schematics to wire a VGA cable to the docking connector. If I can only come up with the schematics it will require you to purchase a VGA cable and some Hirose connectors. You will then have to cut off one end of the cable and put the Hirose connectors on the exposed wires and then place them in the correct positions on the board.

Regards,

Steve Mills"

So there you have it - they are on board an willing to help out. I've sent an email back thanking him enormously and I can't wait to find out the details so I can get soldering (or a trip to my Dad's to get him to do it!)

Life is sweet.....

 

UPDATE!!

I've had a whole stream of emails from Steve and Ryan at LEDco who have both bent over backwards to help me out!

The upshot is: they are sending me an additional harness to plug into the dock to give me a VGA output.

I couldn't be happier that this is getting resolved and cannot praise the tech support guys at LEDco enought for everything they have done! Just when I was giving up hope it seems that faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is getting quite a bit brighter....

I'll let you know how things work out then the harness arrives.

Thanks again for al the input, advice and offers of help guys.

 

Bruce, It's nice to see that someone still knows what customer service is, even for non-customers. I'm glad it's working out.

 

Mystery M...Do you have a copy of service manual(schematic) of toughbook? If you don't have just go to modly's site and you can download it. As you can see on that diagram at I/O port of the toughbook, you can also trace the vga line that goes to the ledco mount. This is also one type of tracing the vga on that particular vehicle mount. Its like a common sense if you know what you are doin of course.

ohlip

 

Mystery, Thats great to hear!!!!!!!

Did you have to mod the cable they sent you for the vga??

 

From what they have said I don't think I'll have to do anything other than plug & play!

All of this only happened yesterday, so I think it'll be a week or two until I receive the cable from the US...

Initially they were going to supply me with a standard VGA cable with one end cut off and a handful of Hirose connectors for me to wire onto the existing pins on one of the connector blocks (with instructions as to which wire goes where) but it seems they have found the correct cable which simply plugs onto the board!

If you look at the photo below, the very right hand connector block (labelled 20S) has a lot of spare pins. According to LEDco, all I need to do is unplug this one and plug in the new one.



The five wires currently on this connector block are for the sound input/output and I will lose this function with the new cable which is VGA only - but I reckon I can carefully remove the existing Hirose connectors/wires from the current connector block (20S) and fit them to the corresponding slots on the new connector block to give me VGA and sound!

I won't know any more until the cable/harness arrives, but rest assured I will keep you updated as to how it all goes....

 

Thats great mate!!!!!! Getting it as a plug and go cable is great.
Well I hope by the time you get your harness, I will get my LEDco and I can get started too and follow your lead if my brake out box doesnt have a VGA I/O.

 

That's right guys, keep on buying those LEDco mounts.. Help keep a few of us Michiganders employed!

 

A quick update of what I've been up to while waiting for the new harness to arrive from those nice guys at LEDco...

The break-out box is destined to spend its new life under the passenger seat of my motor (details of the full install will follow once completed) but because my motor has the engine under the front seats, the seatbase has only a few inches of room beneath it.

The break-out box will 'just' squeeze under there, but as soon as you sit on the seat you can feel a whopping lump of Michigans finest electronics up your arse!

I spaced the seat subframe up by 10mm but this wasn't enough, so took a different approach to making it fit better.

The current box is approx 65mm deep and look like this (as you have seen already)




So the plan was to remove the upper PCB with the four 9pin D sockets and cut the whole box down seeing as I won't be using those sockets.



Difficult to tell from the photo, but removing the upper PCB gives quite a bot more room (i.e. plenty of space to remove some metal)



Next job was to strip out all the components because I didn't want them getting damaged when I attacked the box with my grinder! Note the markings on the face plate where I intend to chop the metal away:



A nice pile of scrap later, I have a new 'lowrider' look break-out box:




Reassemble the components minus the upper PCB:



Passengers should now have a more comfortable ride and the electronics won't feel crushed with the weight of peoples arses pressing down on it! 20mm thinner and looking a lot better for it!




I'll be back with another update once the new harness arrives.

 

Looks great! I have a ledco mount myself I'll be playing with in the next month. Possibly with some photos as well depending on how badly I mangle it.

 

Thats Great what you have done there Mystery!!!!
I may have to to the same but still waiting on my LEDco to get here
So just playing the waiting game still till it gets here, then I can start to plan out how I'm going to fit it into my Holden commy.

 

well it was worth the wait as I now have my mount!!!! Just send LEDco an email for info about it and to see if I can use the VGA cable too.

Mystery, how has your endevours been going with yours?? All up and run?

 

I'm definitely leaning towards a used Ledco mount for my CF28... Will be interesting creating a mounting frame to suit my Saab 900 hatchback (right hand drive), but I'm considering using the sliding seat frame for two mounting points and a third one attaching to the large formed bar attaching the two a-pillars together which supports the dash.

The current production docking stations that support the CF28's are interesting too - anyone compared the older style with the current style?

Craig.

 

Craig

I like the new ledco's in the link that you provided

They look better than the original model and breakout box in this thread

The question is how important is cost and look's to you

I can sell you a used ledco for $100 + shipping , I think I have 1 somewhere, and if I do I would like it to go away,and its quite cluttered with the breakout box

My corporate customers have deep pockets and $600 or so for a new Gamber-Johnson if it looks good is not a problem for them

My question to you is, are you rich
How much does a Locomotive Driver make






Alex