PaulW

So I started the install on the ipod today.

The ipod is a MP3 player, and can hold about 4,000 CD quality songs on a 20mb disk. It fits in your palm. Don't take just six CD's with you, take your whole music collection!

So what I'm doing is using the CD right/left and common input into the head unit, and installing a switch to swap inputs into the head unit so you can toggle from CD to ipod input.

To do this, all you do is cut the wires at the back of the head unit and splice in a relay which has 12 contacts.

The 12 contacts are:

Right in from CD
Left in from CD
Common in from CD

Right in from ipod
Left in from ipod
Common in from ipod

Right out to head unit
Left out to head unit
Common out to head unit

So first, you need to find a 12VDC relay that has the correct configuration, I got a 4 pole, 2 position relay from Radio Shack, $8.

Then solder 14 wires to it, the 12 above plus two more for power to the relay coil (12VDC).

Here it is after I soldered all the wires to it and put heat shrink on ends.

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/ipod1.JPG">

Then cut the little, tiny, (did I mention that they are little and tiny?) wires from the back of the head unit. You have almost no room to work because the wire is only 1" long before it goes into a sleeve that you can't take apart.

Using some crimp connections, I connected the CD input wires (3) and the head unit wires (3). Not pretty, but it works:

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/ipod2.JPG">

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/ipod3.JPG">

From there, I basically stopped. I did hook the ipod up to the other 3 input wires just to test it, and it works! Actually did that before I hooked up the relay. Sounds great, but when I plugged in the charger into the lighter socket, there were TERRIBLE alternator noises. Will have to work out some kind of filter, anybody know what to use?

I taped everything up to secure it, then just put the relay in behind the head unit and it is in the deenergized position, which is CD input. CD works just great.

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/upgrades/ipod4.JPG">

I ordered a second front fog light switch and I will use that to switch the relay coil on and off, toggling between CD and ipod inputs. I think the CD player will always be running while I have the CD on, but oh well. I could probably figure something out to shut it down.

So what I have to do next is to install the mini stero plug wire into the armrest and snake it over to the dash and solder to the 3 ipod input wires.

Then hook the switch up to 12VDC and the relay coil. It will toggle back and forth. And don't forget to hook up power to the lights on the switch.

After that's done, I will tackle the power supply for the ipod including the filter, I already have 12VDC in the armrest.

pw

houseofsound

of the noise. Is the noise present when using CD, i-pod, or both? Is it only when the charger is plugged in? Is there a braided signal ground sheild inside the jacket of the cd chgr input cable?

Good stuff. Enjoy it.

PaulW

It only makes alternator noise when running the ipod with the cigarate lighter charger plugged in.

If I unplug it, no noise. When CD is in use, no noise.

There is a braided ground shield on the wires that go back to the CD player.

What should I do?

pw

BackToBasics

Oh my god, I've lost faith in everything I believe in....Paulw is asking "what should I do?" about a mod on his car!!! ;-)

houseofsound

You may want to use alligator clips just to troubleshoot because it may take a while.

KaMaKaZieP -ALUMIN8-

Something that has better circuiry in it. What is the voltage that the i pod runs on? I can find you a 12v dc voltage converter that has much better "line noise" filtering in it.

fusilier

There is always a good DC ripple filter in those.

PaulW

Great - I'll use some jumpers - should be easy to do

ChronicTeutonic

Re: Answers....MB...you crack me up....Rock on Paul!

KMU

It's alive! Congrats on your mutant Dr. Frankenstein. Again!