DIY: How to add AUX-IN to Tape Module - Page 6

L8r · 12-26-2003, 02:13 PM

Repost - for some reason I was logged on as Ibleedgarnet, no idea how or why, but here it is again.

--------------------------------------

Long time, lurker, first time poster. I was inspired by the system that OverLOAD described, but too cheap to get the tape deck. So I got the belkin ipod car charger (with the pre-amp) and then wired directly to the CD player. It was very simple, (after the instructions for removing the head unit that is =) ) and now I just put a regular CD into the player and as long as my ipod is plugged in, the ipod owns the channel, when I unplug it, it is CD's as normal. I ran the line out under the center and back to the charger plug in the center "glove box" - it works great and sounds SO much better than the iTrip or other FM solutions. - Great job OverLOAD - and just to let everyone know, you can do it with just the stock equipment.

John Blakely

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miata2rx8 · 12-26-2003, 03:11 PM

this is very cool news. So, here is what I am interested in: tape hack for XM radio, cd hack for IPOD. Has anyone done BOTH of these hacks?

OverLOAD · 12-26-2003, 07:59 PM

hey L8r,

I'd like to hear about more details about how you spliced in that ipod car charger. It's just a line-out connection from the ipod right?

How about some details on exactly how you wired it up?

Cool beans,

OverLOAD

L8r · 12-26-2003, 08:31 PM

I actually just added a line out to the CD player - happened to hook it to my iPod, but I am sure it will work with other devices as well. I got an XM commander for christmas, so I will keep the forum up to date (with pictures this time) about my installation of that device. I wish I had taken picutres as I went through, but here is a rough outline.

I removed the head unit completely, took it into my garage and disassembled it completely, down to the circuit boards (you do not have to do this - I was simply exploring =) ). Then I discovered there is a small PC board that connects the head unit to the CD player. I removed that board and then found the input channels and a ground. I purchased and 8 foot shielded 1/8" stereo extention cable from radio shack, cut off the female end of the cable, then tinned and soldered the appropriate wires to the pads I identified on the PC board. Once that was done, I routed the 8 foot cable our of the head unit, reassembled the unit and reinstalled into the vehicle. Then I lifted the center, routed the cable through to the power socket in the center console, and drilled a hole, so I could have a line out to the head unit. I then bought the belkin ipod charger (which has an 1/8" plug into a pre-amp on the charger) plugged that in, selected CD and was in business. I have attached a picuture of the final result. I will take more as I attempt to install my XM Commander this weekend. Also, I have not had any interference issues that have been mentioned in prior discussions. Hope this helps.

l8r

With Ipod in (that little mark on the iPod is a protective cover doing its job =) )

http://ourworld.cs.com/JTBlakely007/DSC01016.jpg

With Ipod Out
http://ourworld.cs.com/JTBlakely007/DSC01017.jpg

so I just added that 1/8" mini stereo out that plugs into the CD player. The holder BTW is by belkin as well and fits into a cupholder. Yes I can shut the comparment without any problems.

ectomort · 12-26-2003, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by L8r
I actually just added a line out to the CD player - happened to hook it to my iPod, but I am sure it will work with other devices as well...

Can you post any pictures, or more detail about which leads you used for Left channel, Right channel and GND?

I'd like to pull off this mod as well.

OverLOAD · 12-27-2003, 09:58 AM

Presumably, there is a pre-amp board in the CD unit, much the same way that there is in the Tape unit?

What makes me curious, is how it 'automatically' bypasses the audio of the CD.. or are you using a CD that's full of "Silence"?

FYI,

My partner and I are considering making a module which will plug into the CD expansion module (for the Tape or MD player) and provide optical, SPDIF and other input formats, as well as a serial port to connect into a computer with Winamp based controls..

Ideally much cheaper, doesn't involve soldering, perfect sound quality, and usable steering wheel controls for Winamp in a mini car PC.. Probably selling in the neighbourhood of $50.. if there's a lot of interested people, please say so, and we will step it up a notch. right now we're just contemplating the idea.

Happy Holidays!

OverLOAD

mdmaclean · 12-27-2003, 10:44 AM

I'd be interested, as long as the final result had a high quality appearance. Are you planning to have all these jacks on the console of the car (where the MD player would be)? If you do, it might look a bit cluttered.

ectomort · 12-27-2003, 01:41 PM

I'd definitely be interested in such a module (especially if it worked well with iPod.)

"Show us the meaning of haste!"

eXentric · 12-27-2003, 04:24 PM

OVERLOAD,

If you've already figured this all out, I'd gladly pay you $50 or more for it.

I'd prefer a USB connection then a serial connection, but I understand it's quite a bit more work to pull this off.

Can you start a new thread and/or elaborate on what this module would be capible of? I'm assuming its tapping the bus + / - pins we've seen for monitoring the steering wheel controls? What else have you been able to determine is available over this bus (if in fact you have gone this route)? Can you, for example, write to the display screen?

What other progress have you made so far on this? Have you managed to trick the head unit into thinking you have a tape module (or any other module) in the tape bay? I have you managed to get audio through the tape bay without the the Mazda tape player? Any other information you can share would be great.

Thanks, and good job!!!

M6Ray · 12-27-2003, 05:22 PM

Hi OverLOAD,

Great work and contribution to the forum. I enthusiastically third the notion for your proposal for a $50 add-on module.

It seems like a great idea if you can pull it off. 1/8" stereo, and optical inputs are good ideas as that would cover most of our AUX input needs. A usb connection would be a nice alternative to serial.

Question: Would this module's faceplace use the existing spot for the cassette player/ md player?

Thanks for the effort and keep us posted!

:D

OverLOAD · 12-27-2003, 07:13 PM

The customized unit has had it's own thread started, and is here:

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17396

miata2rx8 · 12-28-2003, 02:22 PM

l8r-

on the right side of the board that connects the CD to the headunit, there is the L, SGND, and R solder points- these seem the only likely candidates- is this what you used?

OverLOAD · 12-28-2003, 07:02 PM

close a similar thing on the tape module, but there was no gound labeled.

OverLOAD

L8r · 12-28-2003, 07:16 PM

miata2rx8 -

yes the labels were in black as I recall, - also the ground was "below" the other pads on the board forming a small triangle. (it is a rotary after all =) ) the SGND is for signal ground - you should also do a continuity check beofre doing any soldering.

L8r

miata2rx8 · 12-29-2003, 10:19 AM

sorry to ask so many questions; my solder points seem very clean, not much solder, no dripping or spillage, however the sound quality is VERY low and of very bad quality. What does this suggest- what should I look for? I am thinking of wrapping the wires with shrinkable wrap up the pad- right now they are between 1-2 mm of exposed wire.