A real estate agent from here in Vancouver recently visited Ralph’s Radio to discuss the feasibility of creating a mobile office in his 2015 BMW X6. We talked to the client about the features he wanted in the vehicle and how he was going to use it in assisting his clients with buying and selling properties. After formulating a plan and clarifying a few details, we scheduled an appointment to begin the installation.
120V AC Power System
At the heart of the office upgrade is an enhanced electrical system on the 12V side and a premium power inverter to feed the office equipment. We installed a high-capacity AGM battery behind the trim panel in the trunk and connected it to the vehicle’s charging system using BlueSea 7610 Automatic Charging the Relay. The relay keeps the secondary battery isolated from the main battery when the vehicle isn’t running. This allows the client to make use of the office equipment without fear of draining the main battery and not being able to start the vehicle.
We installed a 1500 watt Go Power GP-HS1500 power inverter to provide a clean source of 120V power for the printer and power outlets. Our installation technicians added three 120V power outlets under the front passenger seat. The client can easily reach the outlets to connect a laptop from the driver’s seat.
Multifunction Printer Installation
One of the key requirements for the build was to install a multifunction printer in the cargo area of the BMW. Real estate agents have to be able to scan and print offers quickly and efficiently. We created a mounting platform for a Brother MFC-L2750DW printer, scanner and fax machine. The printer can even fax documents should that service be required.
Mobile Internet Connectivity
The final part of the mobile office was to install a high-speed Internet solution in the vehicle. We mounted a Huawei B890 Smart Hub beside the power supply in the storage compartment, under the cargo area, and set up the client with a Rogers 4G SIM card to provide Internet access. The hub provides a Wi-Fi hotspot for the client’s laptop and serves as a network connection point for the multifunction printer.
Compustar Vehicle Security
We installed a Compustar CM-7300 alarm system controller in the BMW to protect the vehicle and its contents from damage and theft. The system includes an integrated shock and digital tilt-and-motion sensor, as well as a high-output siren. We upgraded the system with a pair of RPS Touch sensors to make it quick and easy to disarm the alarm. If you haven’t seen the RPS Touch, it is a keypad that mounts to the underside of the windshield. The client can type in a code to disarm the system.
Blackvue Dash Camera System
The final component of the project was the installation of a Blackvue DR750-2CH dash camera system. We mounted the main camera on the windshield, just beneath the rearview mirror. The rear camera is mounted at the top of the rear hatch and faces backward to capture video of anything happening behind the vehicle.
The dash camera system includes a parking mode that will record activity around the vehicle when it detects motion, even when the ignition is turned off. The DR750 includes cloud connectivity to allow the client to see the camera image through an app on his smartphone.
The front camera records in full 1920 x 1080 resolution at 60 frames per second. A built-in GPS receiver and three-axis accelerometer capture speed, location and g-force information while the client drives.
Luxury Mobile Office Solution
With the equipment installed and configured, it was time to bring the client back to Ralph’s Radio to show him how to use the new equipment. We assisted him in connecting his laptop to the mobile network and ensured he had full access to the printer. We demonstrated how to use the security system and view images from the dash camera system.
If you are in the Vancouver or Victoria area and are looking for a mobile office solution for your vehicle, drop by either Ralph’s Radio location and speak with a member of our sales team. You can also reach us by e-mail using the contact page here on our website.