Alpine Stereo Faceplate Extension

**WraithJ** · 06-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Right guys odd question here, I remeber when i first came across this site 1-2 years ago there was a thread that had a guy who had made a cable that went between his headunit faceplate and the rest of it meaning he could have the headunit hidden but still control it. This is the sort of thing I really need to do in mine, I had a hunt round for the thread but couldnot find it anywhere. The head unit I have is an Alpine CDE-9881RB ipod ready headunit. Is there a cable out there already for this, has anyone made one, does anyone know what thread I am talking about?? I am loathesome to take the headunit apart as I like it and want it to stay working

. If I need to I will. Does anyone have any advice?!

Thank you guys

WraithJ

**jake789** · 06-09-2009, 06:47 PM

I just did this in my truck and my Pioneer still works when extended 12ft. Your Alpine looks like it will work fine with extending it.

I'm using a 6ft vga cable that had 1 male end and 1 female end. So I just cut it in the middle and soldered the end wires to the deck, then I can just plug the connectors into each other to connect everything. I can also add extension vga cables easily if I wanted to run it farther.

I'm using a Pioneer 700bt.

I'll post some pics of the process later tonight.

**jake789** · 06-10-2009, 12:05 AM

Back of the faceplate

Inside deck

Switch needed to enable insert CD's, and antenna extended

Another inside of deck somewhat assembled

Back of faceplate. I used zipties on both sides of plastic to attempt to relieve any strain from the cables.

And it works!

Good luck, hope this helps.

**Sponge** · 06-10-2009, 03:01 AM

Excellent work and soldiering skills!!

**WraithJ** · 06-11-2009, 06:07 AM

that is cool, but i am just epic nervous about taking it apart, how precise a soldering iron do you need?

**Crinos** · 06-11-2009, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by WraithJ

that is cool, but i am just epic nervous about taking it apart, how precise a soldering iron do you need?

If you do not have done some soldering before.. I would not reccomend this to be the first place to start...
It's easy to burn the PCB if you have a to hot solder.

**WraithJ** · 06-11-2009, 06:55 AM

i have soldered before but not on such a 'important' peice of kit, im gonna do this at the weekend when I fit the new alarm sustem and car pc, I will post a walk through for thoose interested. Its gonna be a long weekend!

**jake789** · 06-12-2009, 12:13 AM

^ True, the one thing you need to be careful of is getting your pcb too hot. Do not use a 'screw driver end' type of tip for your iron, you'll have to get one that has a decent point.

Also, a good way to do it is first add some solder to the area before you wire to it. This will make it much easier. It literally only takes 1 second on each ball, then add some solder to each wire so that the wire is 'tinned'. Then you go back and reheat the solder pads and the wire together make a good connection.

Just take your time, and don't hesitate to ask questions, you should be fine. The solder joints on my deck were pretty easy and a novice should be able to do it as long as you have the right equipment.