Ipad mini in-dash installation

[sneakyfe]

As much as I love the look of a permanent iPad install, there is an important consequence to consider. Depending in your area, but where I live in California it gets really hot especially these past few weeks. It is advisable (as recommended by Apple) not to leave your ipad in the car as it will overheat the device. You will get this message on your screen "“iPad needs to cool down before you can use it”. Even when you're driving with the top down, if the ipad is exposed directly to the sun, it will overheat overtime.

Instead of the hard install, I just placed my mini ipad cover in the small opening and it looks just as good. The iPad cover fits perfectly and it does not slide at all. It's simple and I won't have to worry about damaging the ipad on really hot days! My iPad works on bluetooth connectivity with my stereo. I am able to use the GPS, Pandora, Facetime, and have Siri read my emails and text messages. Also, its less of a hassle when you want to upgrade your ipad down the road.

[Cebu]

I also appreciate the built in iPad look but use mine so much it wouldn't be practical. Did you relocated your radio and HVAC unit? My head unit and HVAC is taking the lower area space. I'm planning on using the iPad as a music source with the proper harness.

What's behind the iPad now?

Originally Posted by sneakyfe

As much as I love the look of a permanent iPad install, there is an important consequence to consider. Depending in your area, but where I live in California it gets really hot especially these past few weeks. It is advisable (as recommended by Apple) not to leave your ipad in the car as it will overheat the device. You will get this message on your screen "“iPad needs to cool down before you can use it”. Even when you're driving with the top down, if the ipad is exposed directly to the sun, it will overheat overtime.

Instead of the hard install, I just placed my mini ipad cover in the small opening and it looks just as good. The iPad cover fits perfectly and it does not slide at all. It's simple and I won't have to worry about damaging the ipad on really hot days! My iPad works on bluetooth connectivity with my stereo. I am able to use the GPS, Pandora, Facetime, and have Siri read my emails and text messages. Also, its less of a hassle when you want to upgrade your ipad down the road.

[BruceH]

^^^^It has only happened a few times for me and isn't a deal breaker IMO. I have thought of running a small duct from the AC ducts to right behind the mini to keep it running cool on the really hot days. I just have not gotten around to it.

That looks great too!

[sneakyfe]

Also to consider with a permanent ipad install is the wear and tear of daily vibrations from your daily commute. Remember, the iPad was not designed to absorb hard bumps and it will affect your device overtime. So if you're doing a permanent install, perhaps you can add a small foam just to protect the device.

[Wilson01S]

I can understand your concerns for the permanent install but my rebuttal would be:

I live in the Northeast and it rarely gets THAT hot. I have driven the car with a beating sun on the screen and although it gets a little warm, it has never tripped the temperature alarm like if it was sitting on a dashboard baking.

I can have this iPad out WITHOUT tools in 30 seconds. It is very secure, and less obvious when built it, but if i am going to leave the car for a long time (like when its stored this winter) I will just pop it out and use it.

As far as the daily vibrations and wear and tear- it is very stable inside the bezel. There are no roads I would ever dream of driving this car on that would vibrate an iPad to the point of internal damage. And I (as long as others) used a foam insulating tape to hold it in place for vibration dampening. I did this more for rattles, than I did to worry about the iPad being damaged.

That being said I can understand your concerns, and your install and idea are very good! Personally I like having it screen locked and safely disguised in my dash so I don't always have to put the top up, or hide the unit if I leave the car.

[Wilson01S]

Plus I really enjoy the added benefit of the device charing, and not taking up my accessory outlet

[epapp]

I have kept mine in the dash on 100+ days, direct sun, even on cold nights when you are blasting the heater (the cut you make just below the center vents allows a bit of hot air to blast the back of the ipad) doesn't give me the cool down warning...granted it will kill your battery by constantly getting blasted by the hot air, but I have considered the battery a goner since the tablet is being charged constantly anyways (bad for long battery life).

And to the vibration point, if the radio, gauge cluster, HVAC panel etc can handle vibrations (digital/analog electronics), why couldn't an ipad?? Its not like the transistors are going to jump out of the chip, or the electrons out of the wires..

[jaykay]

There are certain mini cases that could be possibly be used to provide shock absorption. One would have to carve out more space and trim the front of the case to allow for flush fit up front.

This arrangement may affect heat transfer though! You could cut holes in the case to for this..

[Wilson01S]

My car had (from top to bottom) cup holders, CDR220, Storage cubby, HVAC. I removed the storage and the cupholders, and then moved the radio down to where the storage cubby was (as seen in the picture).

Behind the iPad is a cavernous space. Could be used to smuggle items across the border, or like me just an empty space that serves no purpose.

[Cebu]

Did you have to purchase any relocation hardware? My current configuration is:
Cup holders
Radio
CD storage
HVAC unit

I want to setup mine like yours. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

My car had (from top to bottom) cup holders, CDR220, Storage cubby, HVAC. I removed the storage and the cupholders, and then moved the radio down to where the storage cubby was (as seen in the picture).

Behind the iPad is a cavernous space. Could be used to smuggle items across the border, or like me just an empty space that serves no purpose.

[Wilson01S]

Originally Posted by Cebu

Did you have to purchase any relocation hardware? My current configuration is:
Cup holders
Radio
CD storage
HVAC unit

I want to setup mine like yours. Thanks!

Nope you will not need any. The CD storage and the storage bin snap in with the exact same blue plastic tabs. You can easily remove the CD storage without tools.

Remove the trim around the cup holders and I believe there was two t20 torx bolts holding it in, but that too might have just snapped out with plastic tabs.

You will need the radio removal keys for your radio to remove it from the metal bezel it is currently in. Once you remove it you will have to snake all the wiring harnesses carefully down through the sharp, dark, tight cavern that is your dash and get them to come out in the spot where your CD storage was. Once you do that the radio will slide and click into that spot without any tools or additional mounting kits/trim.

It really is very simple. Let us know if you have any more questions! I read through the first few pages of this thread several times because shehadehd did a nice job with his process on what he dremeled/how he did it!

[Cebu]

Thanks for the info! I'm going to do the mod this weekend. I have the CDR220 radio harness to USB kit and the radio removal tool. I need to order a storage bin and possibly a blank panel. I don't plan on using the cup holder or the CD storage.

One note, since I'm moving the HVAC from lowest location it seems the face panel may have an angle in order to fit. If I use the same panel at the very top location it almost looks like the lower part would have a gap. Your setup doesn't show a gap.

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

Nope you will not need any. The CD storage and the storage bin snap in with the exact same blue plastic tabs. You can easily remove the CD storage without tools.

Remove the trim around the cup holders and I believe there was two t20 torx bolts holding it in, but that too might have just snapped out with plastic tabs.

You will need the radio removal keys for your radio to remove it from the metal bezel it is currently in. Once you remove it you will have to snake all the wiring harnesses carefully down through the sharp, dark, tight cavern that is your dash and get them to come out in the spot where your CD storage was. Once you do that the radio will slide and click into that spot without any tools or additional mounting kits/trim.

It really is very simple. Let us know if you have any more questions! I read through the first few pages of this thread several times because shehadehd did a nice job with his process on what he dremeled/how he did it!

[Wilson01S]

I am confused? Is your HVAC at the bottom now? You shouldn't have to order anything if you are installing an iPad mini. Your car has 4 DIN slots. The top two will be occupied by the iPad, the third by the radio and the fourth by the HVAC.

[Cebu]

I'm going the route as sneakfe's setup. I dig the look of the enclosed iPad but I use my iPad too much. That being said if I ever get a 2nd iPad I may go ahead and do the enclosed method. Until my new panel comes in from Pelican Parts I'm using the one from down below. You can see the gaps.

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

I am confused? Is your HVAC at the bottom now? You shouldn't have to order anything if you are installing an iPad mini. Your car has 4 DIN slots. The top two will be occupied by the iPad, the third by the radio and the fourth by the HVAC.

[davedeck]

I added DashCommand to the Boxstar using a $39 7" tablet from WM Black Friday sale and the OBDLink Bluetooth transmitter. I took the storage bins out and the tablet fit right in. I need to fabricate a plastic spacer for the bottom. I hope I don't wreck watching all the flashing lights and numbers.

[jaykay]

Have any successfully powered (switched power) an iPad using the AUX port on the 986 Becker? Will it keep it charged? This cable is available:

iL-BKR Apple Lightning Adapter for select Becker AUX Ready Radios

[BruceH]

When I did my original install, I was using the IP-BKR2 and then a 30 pin to lightning adapter from the CDR-220. I see Discount Stereo now has a iL-BKR Apple Lightning Adapter. With this set up, the iPad charged even when the ignition was off which was great. My current set up is a Pioneer and it does not have continuous power so I have to remove the mini once in awhile to charge it up.

[jaykay]

Thank you; good information! I would think that a constant charge would kill your battery, but I can certainly see the advantages. I would have thought that the power to the aux port would die if the radio is switched off.....but then thinking about it the old CD changer is always live when you go to eject the magazine.

I think the ideal solution is to have a dash mounted switch to select charge or no charge; splicing a switch in the cable. Doing this with properly with a 986 momentary contact switch seems a bit messy....

How did you get it to wake and sleep via tap or gestures on the screen? I see no good option other than to jailbreak and and hack it.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Thank you; good information! I would think that a constant charge would kill your battery, but I can certainly see the advantages. I would have thought that the power to the aux port would die if the radio is switched off.....but then thinking about it the old CD changer is always live when you go to eject the magazine.

I think the ideal solution is to have a dash mounted switch to select charge or no charge; splicing a switch in the cable. Doing this with properly with a 986 momentary contact switch seems a bit messy....

How did you get it to wake and sleep via tap or gestures on the screen? I see no good option other than to jailbreak and and hack it.

The charge is not that big of a draw, I never had an issue with the battery and it is much more convenient. Touch ID works to turn it on. To turn off, you add a little White dot to the screen which will allow you to lock the screen. Here are the instructions:

How to Add Touchscreen Home Button on iPhone, iPad
Open Settings.
Go to General > Accessibility.
Scroll down to the section labeled INTERACTION and tap on AssistiveTouch.
On the next screen, toggle AssistiveTouch to the green On position.
A white circle with a grey box will appear on screen. Tap this circle to expand it to a big box on screen.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by BruceH

The charge is not that big of a draw, I never had an issue with the battery and it is much more convenient. Touch ID works to turn it on. To turn off, you add a little White dot to the screen which will allow you to lock the screen. Here are the instructions:

How to Add Touchscreen Home Button on iPhone, iPad
Open Settings.
Go to General > Accessibility.
Scroll down to the section labeled INTERACTION and tap on AssistiveTouch.
On the next screen, toggle AssistiveTouch to the green On position.
A white circle with a grey box will appear on screen. Tap this circle to expand it to a big box on screen.

Yes very good I have that set up.... but to actually waking a dark screen with a covered home button (for touch id) is what I was going on about (or even turn it on or off). Did you leave your home button exposed in your installation? The accessibility feature settings don't appear to address this. I think the circle will take of locking and power down. It is good to be able to put the thing to sleep when you don't want to look at it. I try to stay away from looking at screens as much as possible...so its good to be able to kill screens in a car.

......guess that is why I drive old cars