Thread: FAQ: XM Cable/XMD1000 Debugging FAQ (test program included)

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Is anyone experiencing a problem with their XMD1000 unit? I have this connected to MP3Car USB Adapter and here later, I have to unplug for a few seconds and plug it back up to get power. The usb adaper is powered by my M2ATX (originally M1ATX - same issue). It was working fine for some time but all of sudden it has been happening for the last few weeks.

When it does power up, it works fine but when I go to use it again in RR, of course, the XM screen does not come up.

Is my XMD1000 bad or problem with USB adapter? I see the USB adapter in device manager (no issues) and I also uninstall and reinstalled the drivers but same thing occurs.

Use your battery power. See if that works, I ran mine with no problems straight off my battery.

So I am thinking about taking my XM Direct and adding it to the system. So are you guys powering the unit on/off with both pins all the time? That may be why some are having issues if the direct receiver looses main power then it looses everything in memory such as last channel etc. So when I had mine hardwired into my truck (since it was said you could not have XMD with U-Connect) if I used the ignition on/off it would remember everything like presets etc. but if I pulled the battery or something like that it would loose that info. Just a thought on why some are having stability issues?

Originally Posted by insaneramman

Use your battery power. See if that works, I ran mine with no problems straight off my battery.

I was thinking about connecting my XMD1000 unit straight to the battery instead of the computer because I am tired of waiting for it to refresh the station list and connect to a satellite every time I get in my car. Has anyone else done this? I have a nothing special battery in my car and I am afraid it might drain the battery. How long do you think it could run before draining the battery too much?

Originally Posted by shatteredzman

I was thinking about connecting my XMD1000 unit straight to the battery instead of the computer because I am tired of waiting for it to refresh the station list and connect to a satellite every time I get in my car. Has anyone else done this? I have a nothing special battery in my car and I am afraid it might drain the battery. How long do you think it could run before draining the battery too much?

Thats how it should be in the first place. The XMD1000 is built to handle the cars unregulated 12V power. Infact what I did in my first install is have the XMD connected to the radio harness power wire, then the ignition is done by the PC. This setup has worked flawlessly!

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Thats how it should be in the first place. The XMD1000 is built to handle the cars unregulated 12V power. Infact what I did in my first install is have the XMD connected to the radio harness power wire, then the ignition is done by the PC. This setup has worked flawlessly!

Just to clarify I have the MP3 car usb adapter, if I remember right the adapter also powers the XMD1000 unit. I was told by mp3 car in an email that it is best power the adapter using the pc since it is regulated and switched. I am just worried about killing the adapter or draining my battery.

Originally Posted by shatteredzman

Just to clarify I have the MP3 car usb adapter, if I remember right the adapter also powers the XMD1000 unit. I was told by mp3 car in an email that it is best power the adapter using the pc since it is regulated and switched. I am just worried about killing the adapter or draining my battery.

LOL..... Remember the XMD isn't made for us Car PCers, its made for headunits that have a AUX port. Cars don't come with regulators to make devices work, if it needs regulation, it is usually done so through a built in regulation in the device. Thats why they designed the XMD to run on 12V unregulated power. As far as the USB adapter is concerned, I have no idea, its made by MP3Car so I assume it has to be powered with regulated power. I know though that the XMD itself can be powered via unregulated 12V power. Now if you want to be safe, you could always buy a 12V regulator. So basically put the regulator in between the XMD and the battery. When the car is off, the power draw is almost non existent. It isn't until the XMD gets triggered from the ignition line, that it turns on 100%. My XMD has never killed my battery at all.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

LOL..... Remember the XMD isnt made for us Car PCers, its made for cars. Cars dont come with regulators to make devices work, if it needs regulation, it is usually done so through a built in regulation in the device. Thats why they designed the XMD to run on 12V unregulated power. As far as the adapter is concerned, I have no idea, its made by MP3Car so I assume it has to be powered with regulated power. I know though that the XMD itself can be powered via unregulated 12V power. Now if you want to be safe, you could always buy a 12V regulator. So basically put the regulator in between the XMD and the battery.

I think the cause of the confusion between us is that you are not aware that the mp3car adapter powers the XMD1000 unit. So if I decide to have my xm always on I have to power the XM unit and the usb adapter...that is unless I splice the cable that connects the two but I would rather not do that.

Originally Posted by shatteredzman

I think the cause of the confusion between us is that you are not aware that the mp3car adapter powers the XMD1000 unit. So if I decide to have my xm always on I have to power the XM unit and the usb adapter...that is unless I splice the cable that connects the two but I would rather not do that.

You could always bypass the USB adapter. As far as power, there should be 3 wires, ground, ignition, and constant. You would basically run the constant from the battery to the XMD, your basically cutting out the middle man. The the USB adapter will still continue to use the ignition wire and ground. It should work and be fine. If you are worried about issues, like I said, buy a 12V regulator for line now going from the battery to the XMD. If you need one, I can even send you one. I think I have one laying around.