A REAL wireless charging pad for the Model 3

[rsomrek]

I think Nomad did not fully understand or anticipate the necessity of keeping the front USB ports available for jump drives for music...

I agree. I would suggest that Nomad include a cable similar to the one described (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...etailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=tmc064-20); it's cost is inconsequential to the price charged for the unit.

I'll be trying MacInfoSys's solution but am disappointed that Nomad had foreseen this issue.

 

[cbutters]

I'm using this Y cable to use a USB drive for music while still having 2 connected power ports on my nomad. I'm getting a second one for v9 dashcam purposes. Link: https://amzn.to/2R1o3hG

Also; it is less crap in the cargo area than a USB hub would be.

 

[Bradbomb]

I got the Nomad today. I love the fit and finish. However....I was really dismayed to find out that you cannot disconnect one of the cables and just not use that side of the charger (to leave the other front USB open for the dashcam). You can disconnect one cable and it will appear to still work...until the car powers off. Once it powers back on, the Nomad will not function unless you plug the second cable back in. I don't know what to do now because I really want to be able to use the dashcam and I don't want to tear my console apart trying to run extension cables only to find it doesn't work as JPP describes.

Also, does anyone know what constitutes a "small phone" that would require the spacers the Nomad comes with? I have an iPhone 8 and it seems to fit fine and charge without the spacers, but I'm not sure if it is optimally aligned with the coils to be able to get the best charge rate. The spacers seem so awkward that I don't really want to use them. I tried testing with a USB tester to see if I'm getting good charge rate, but this proves impossible as I think I'm seeing the rate of the charge to the Nomad's built in battery, not the rate of charge the phone is getting.

According to Nomad's own website, it should function with only one USB plugged in at a slower charge rate. I think its the left USB cord that needs to always be plugged as the primary. I have not tried with my own Nomad yet, but I don't think I'll have a need to as I dont plan to use the DashCam function when I get v9

 

[JPP]

Did you make sure they are USB 3.0 cables?

Not USB 3.0 but I thought that the front ports were not 3.0.

 

[gmtom1]

Just got my Nomad order from Aug 18th. Overall quality is excellent! I have a note 9 and it "fits" with my Spigen liquid crystal case, but it's SUPER tight and the lid cannot close. If I had a thin PC case, it would probably fit a little better, but it's clearly not intended to fit.

Also, a "naked" note 9 will fit (barely) and the lid can still close.

 

[ConcordeSST]

According to Nomad's own website, it should function with only one USB plugged in at a slower charge rate. I think its the left USB cord that needs to always be plugged as the primary. I have not tried with my own Nomad yet, but I don't think I'll have a need to as I dont plan to use the DashCam function when I get v9

I did see that on their FAQ, but it doesn't appear to be true with my unit. You can unplug the righthand cord and it will work on the left but only until the car goes to sleep and not again until you plug the right cable back in. When I do that the unit will flash both lights when it starts up, and then I can unplug the right cable again. I'm interested to hear if others experience the same behavior.

 

[fseir]

Not USB 3.0 but I thought that the front ports were not 3.0.

I’m not a USB expert, so maybe someone more knowledgeable can confirm, but the front USB ports put out around 2.6A, which is well above the 900mA spec of USB 3.0. The problem with a USB 2.0 cable, is that it might be a bottleneck, limiting power delivery to your charger. Alternatively, the gauge of the copper wire in the usb cable may be an even bigger factor, with larger gauge wires delivering more amperage downstream.

Will My Phone Charge Faster If I Plug It Into A USB 3.0 Port?

Fast charging? Why some cables charge faster than others.

 

[JG T3SLA]

I did see that on their FAQ, but it doesn't appear to be true with my unit. You can unplug the righthand cord and it will work on the left but only until the car goes to sleep and not again until you plug the right cable back in. When I do that the unit will flash both lights when it starts up, and then I can unplug the right cable again. I'm interested to hear if others experience the same behavior.

Have you reported this to Nomad? I just ordered this pad last night and took their faq at face value. I planned on using just one cable and saving the other slot for dashcam drive. If your unit isn’t functioning per their website I would contact them and see what’s up.

 

[ConcordeSST]

Have you reported this to Nomad? I just ordered this pad last night and took their faq at face value. I planned on using just one cable and saving the other slot for dashcam drive. If your unit isn’t functioning per their website I would contact them and see what’s up.

Yes, I asked that question through their contact page on Monday night. I have not heard back yet.

 

[davidalai]

I'm getting a second one for v9 dashcam purposes. Link: https://amzn.to/2R1o3hG

Also; it is less crap in the cargo area than a USB hub would be.

Please keep us posted on how this goes! You'll have 4 USB ports to play with, 2 for the Nomad cable connections, 1 for the USB Storage for the DashCam feature, and 1 for Music?

 

[cbutters]

Please keep us posted on how this goes! You'll have 4 USB ports to play with, 2 for the Nomad cable connections, 1 for the USB Storage for the DashCam feature, and 1 for Music?

Yes 4 ports; however the ports the nomad is plugged into will not support data (which is fine because the nomad doesn't use data)

 

[davidalai]

I receive my Nomad charging pad today. Placed my order August 27th for reference. I'm excited to see how well it works.

 

[spesler]

Sep 3rd order. Received shipping notice today.

 

[davidalai]

My Nomad charger works. I did notice that I don't get the "fast charge" notification on my phone so I assume i'm charging at a regular reate, not fast or quick charge. My phone is the Galaxy S9.

 

[ConcordeSST]

Have you reported this to Nomad? I just ordered this pad last night and took their faq at face value. I planned on using just one cable and saving the other slot for dashcam drive. If your unit isn’t functioning per their website I would contact them and see what’s up.

Yes, I asked that question through their contact page on Monday night. I have not heard back yet.

They got back to me and confirmed that they were able to replicate what I was describing. I guess no one had actually tested this scenario before? So it's confirmed you cannot unplug one cable of the Nomad and leave it that way (unless you want to do it every time you drive the car). I ended up getting the USB splitter mentioned earlier in this thread and that does work to keep the Nomad powered, though I'm still waiting on V9 to test the dashcam.

 

[davidalai]

Yes 4 ports; however the ports the nomad is plugged into will not support data (which is fine because the nomad doesn't use data)

I purchased two of the splitter cables off Amazon. I plugged the two Nomad cables to the red side of the splitter cables. It worked briefly and I was able to test the Nomad charger. As soon as I left the car and when I came back, it stopped working. What is your experience so far with these splitter cables?

 

[davidalai]

I ended up getting the USB splitter mentioned earlier in this thread and that does work to keep the Nomad powered, though I'm still waiting on V9 to test the dashcam.

What's your experience so far with the splitter cable? Mine doesn't seem to work plugging in the Nomad USB to the red charging side of the splitter. At least not consistently.

 

[rsomrek]

What's your experience so far with the splitter cable? Mine doesn't seem to work plugging in the Nomad USB to the red charging side of the splitter. At least not consistently.

I've had the splitter cable for about a week now. It seems to be working fine. I bought another to be able to use the left USB port for the dashcam when I get v9.

 

[davidalai]

I've had the splitter cable for about a week now. It seems to be working fine. I bought another to be able to use the left USB port for the dashcam when I get v9.

Thank you! I wonder if it's because my software isn't the latest (not talking about V9, but I'm still on 34.1). Maybe 36.2 has a stronger output to the USB ports and thereby allowing the splitters to work? Mine works when I initially set it up but then goes away once I leave the car.

 

[ConcordeSST]

Thank you! I wonder if it's because my software isn't the latest (not talking about V9, but I'm still on 34.1). Maybe 36.2 has a stronger output to the USB ports and thereby allowing the splitters to work? Mine works when I initially set it up but then goes away once I leave the car.

I'm on 36.2 and no issues with the splitter so far, but I have yet to make use of the data side of the cable.