I wanted to play my iPOD thru the factory stereo without using a tape (or worse FM) adapter.
I hacked a simple inline harness for the cd-changer cable. One end plugs into the back of the stereo (where the cd-changer cable goes), the other end is a socket that accepts the cd-changer cable. It is designed to work with a Belkin iPOD Auto Kit, which I already had. Now I can switch between CD-changer and iPOD by pressing a button (I have not found a good place to mount this yet). The Belkin iPOD kit is not necessary... However, it is nice since it plugs into the dock connector and powers/charges the iPOD as well as feeds the audio signal. I already had it laying around so thought I'd use it.
I could have used a simple DPDT switch instead of the relay, but I ended up using a relay instead for several reason: shorter signal path (less interferance), greater flexibility in placing the selector switch/less wires, plus if I get motivated, there's the posibility of adding the ability to automatically switch to the iPOD automatically when it's turn on (perhaps based on current draw).
Parts List
1) Since I'm only switching the audio input, the CD-changer continues to play even when you switch to iPOD.
2) When switched to iPOD: audio only comes thru if CD-changer is playing a disc. This is because the head unit (?) mutes audio when the CD-changer is not playing a disc (my best guess). Not only does this mean you must have at least one disc in the changer to listen to your iPOD, but when the disc is finished playing and changer is loading the next disc, there's a few seconds where there is no audio. That's a little annoying.
It was a fun project, but I think some of the aftermarket adapters, such as the ones mentioned in this thread, would be a better choice.
I hacked a simple inline harness for the cd-changer cable. One end plugs into the back of the stereo (where the cd-changer cable goes), the other end is a socket that accepts the cd-changer cable. It is designed to work with a Belkin iPOD Auto Kit, which I already had. Now I can switch between CD-changer and iPOD by pressing a button (I have not found a good place to mount this yet). The Belkin iPOD kit is not necessary... However, it is nice since it plugs into the dock connector and powers/charges the iPOD as well as feeds the audio signal. I already had it laying around so thought I'd use it.
I could have used a simple DPDT switch instead of the relay, but I ended up using a relay instead for several reason: shorter signal path (less interferance), greater flexibility in placing the selector switch/less wires, plus if I get motivated, there's the posibility of adding the ability to automatically switch to the iPOD automatically when it's turn on (perhaps based on current draw).
Parts List
- Belkin iPOD auto adapter (optional): ~$40 at Circuit City
- 12V DPDT relay: $5 at Radio Shack
- 8-pin DIN plug and socket: $1.50 at Altex
- 1/8" headphone plug: free (well, a headphone was sacrificed)
- 12V power outlet (optional, for Belkin iPOD adapter)
- Some wire
1) Since I'm only switching the audio input, the CD-changer continues to play even when you switch to iPOD.
2) When switched to iPOD: audio only comes thru if CD-changer is playing a disc. This is because the head unit (?) mutes audio when the CD-changer is not playing a disc (my best guess). Not only does this mean you must have at least one disc in the changer to listen to your iPOD, but when the disc is finished playing and changer is loading the next disc, there's a few seconds where there is no audio. That's a little annoying.
It was a fun project, but I think some of the aftermarket adapters, such as the ones mentioned in this thread, would be a better choice.
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