Blue Overland Build

Yeah I can use google maps both online and offline which is really nice. You can also use the various GPS maps for off grid navigation. The tablet can hook up to my mobile hotspot to utilize full internet so its basically like having a small computer in the truck at all times. This tablet is the Galaxy Tab A7, its a great little tablet and its an awesome price. I got mine for under $80. I would definitely recommend it. It also accepts SD cards to expand your storage capacity, and hooks up to any bluetooth device when needed so theres that too. The only thing I don't like about it is the charging dilemma i faced, but now that I have that little adapter its no loner an issue. I just don't understand why Samsung decided that was a good idea but oh well, the adapter solved that problem

 

Looks great PJ!

 

Thanks bro!

 

Nice work with the tablet! I can't understand why nobody makes a double din android unit.

How does the galaxy tab handle multitasking? I've got a cheap Asus tablet that can't do everything I want it to. Basically run Torque, Slacker radio and some sort of navigation.

 

It handles it great! The other day I had the radio running and was controlling it through the tablet, had google maps up and navigating and also had my girlfriend surfing the web on google chrome no problem at all

 

Does this tablet have the ability to use multi window? And does it have the auto dim feature? I'm about to pull the trigger on the 8" version

 

I'm not too sure about the multi-window... i do know that for example, if I'm using the radio app while GPS is running, it will pop up on top of the screen still. I'm not sure about multi window though. And what do you mean by auto dim? Like dimming based on the light outside? I think it has that. It also has an "outside" feature that makes the screen brighter to help glare when outdoors.

 

Sounds like it has multi window if it can do that.

Yes it automatically sets the brightness depending on light. My Asus doesn't have it. Not a big deal but kind of annoying driving in daylight then it gets dark and is too bright so I dim it down then the next time I drive in daylight I can barely see the settings to adjust it back to bright.

 

hey @PPansini10 this tablet seems like it fits all of my needs. I just wanted to ask one question before I buy. Are you sure it cant charge with this cable?
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ECC1...rd_wg=pvRWt&psc=1&refRID=9H46JZE9E6AW15GZWS91

 

Yeah im sure that wont work for 2 reasons.. 1, you need a micro usb to plug into the tablet lol and 2, the cable that my tablet came with didn't even work when jist plug into a usb connection

 

ugh.. guess I will keep looking for a tablet.

Ive narrowed my minimum requirements down to: bluetooth, able to run dual apps, and GPS. And hopefully a micro SD card slot. Also looking for $100 budget

 

You buy the adaptor i bought and it should work no problems at all, its just hard to sometimes bc its shipped from overseas. Here's what i got actually: http://www.dx.com/p/usb-data-charging-extension-cable-for-samsung-p1000-black-91141#.WOO78KUpDqA

 

The trailer build has been taking all the mods lately, but I'm slowly chipping away at trucks mods too. Yesterday I finished up some awning lights, both a white strip and a red strip that will be powered with a cord I made and plugged into one of the 12V sockets in the bed. I could've hard wired it, but I like this better I think and it works just like it should. Not gonna explain step by step, but basically I used some quick connects, a 12V plug with a built in switch (allows me to turn the light on and off without constantly unplugging), heat shrink, and some tech flex wire sleeve I had left over from other projects to make everything work. The light is way brighter at night then it looks in the pictures.













Also found this pic of the truck stretching its leg.. Really gotta get my shackle flip crossed off the list.

 

So much want.

 

Really been slacking on the build page, and TW in all, but I'm gonna catch it all up to show whats new with the truck. I have some pics from a last minute camping trip from a couple weeks ago to put up but that'll wait till tomorrow. For now I'm gonna catch up some of the mods. I did a mini overhaul with the electrical stuff and cleaned up my wiring a bit. Still not where I want it to be but better then it was. Painted my blue sea cover red bc why not, changed out my diehard 31M (which I am trickle charging until I install it in the trailer) with an Optima blue top, and to round it all off added a renogy solar panel to the prinsu rack on the cap.
Before:

After:



As for the solar install, I ended up taking the cap off the truck for a few days in order to try and workout an idea I had that would allow me to use the crossbars even after I install the panel. This also gave me a chance to paint the side rails with a fresh coat of paint.



Long story short, I didn't get a lot of pics of the install because it ended up being too much setting up and breaking down over and over again to make sure everything would fit, but heres the final layout. I ended up installing the panel across, in between the side rails instead if laying it across the bars. It fits perfectly, and sits about a half inch below the surface of the cross bars with will sit give me use of them without making contact with the panel. I ended up putting the controller in the little storage area next to me and ran all the wires underneath and into there as well. Ive had this running now for a couple weeks and its amazing. Ive had my fridge going non stop and the panel still charges the battery. Really gives me peace of mind knowing that I won't need a jump in the middle of nowhere.



Heres a pic of the truck in tailgating mode:

 

Good stuff as always.

 

Camping trip pics from a few weeks ago.. The pollen was almost unbearable but we lasted a few days before allergies really took over. This was the first trip out with the trailer and we ended up getting great spot big enough to spread everything out real nice:

 

That solar setup though!

 

Ill prob change the build name to "Solar powered, green energy, vegetable fuel conversion overland build"