iPod Head Unit Project Underway, Need Help Gathering Info!

binglax09 · 04-03-2006, 07:07 PM

Ok, This might have been done but i didn't find it if it has. My 40gb 4gen iPod died a while back and i was contemplating the idea of turning it into my main head unit since i have a double din car. Crazy? possibly but its due-able if done right. I have looked online but havnt found what i really need. There are sites for 1.8 to 2.5 and 3.5 IDE connections known as "iPod Super" and "iPod Junior" but its not as clean as i would like...So my list of problems.

1. I need a clean way to connect a 2.5/3.5 IDE hard drive to the ipod.
Ideas
- Make a 1.8 to 2.5/3.5 IDE adaptor(pain in the a$$ and not easy to just unplug to upload songs)
- Run 1.8 to 1.8 USB interface card, then run a USB cable to a 2.5/3.5 External USB enclosure?? Is it possible to go from USB card to USB card?(Makes for a vary easy way to take the hard drive out of the car to upload songs)
2. Amp - Since the iPod cant run car speakers then i need an amp that doesn't need a remote turn-on lead. I have no idea about this one!
3. Power - The iPod and the external drive needs to be powered and shut down when the car is turned off. I know there are plenty of 12v to 12v power supplies on MP3 car but they seem to be a bit much for such a small power need.
4. Other ideas -
- Use a wireless USB hub to transfer songs to the ipod?
- any cable that connects to the bottom connecter port on the ipod and has all the wire leads not just the USB/Firewire wires.
- Any way to dim the ipod backlight since it might be a little bright in night driving.

I'm not just asking for a hand out, im working on this so other can learn to. It would be a great way to make a iPod head unit that has unlimited storage space... Any ideas would be awsome for everyone not just myself. Thanks -AKD

mushin · 04-04-2006, 11:57 AM

Amp - Why not use a car amp? Is there some reason you don't want the remote turn on (don't you want the amp to turn off when you turn the car off?)

Power - Use a 7805 regulator IC or similar.

You can get the dock connector plug from mouser - I have the part number somewhere, I'll dig it up for you if you can't find it on the interweb.

I take it when you say the ipod died, it's just the HD and the rest still works?

binglax09 · 04-04-2006, 12:28 PM

The main reason for not having a remote turn on is becuase i dont know how to wire it wishout the wire lead from a head unit, since there will be no head unit in the car. Yeah the drive died, i forgot to add that in since pretty much anything that dies on ipods is the hard drive. Does the dock connecter from Mouser have audio out and wiring for power?

mushin · 04-04-2006, 01:06 PM

The plug is fully populated, so yes, you can get at the audio out, power, or whatever else is on the dock connector.

ToothpickBandit · 04-06-2006, 06:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by binglax09

The main reason for not having a remote turn on is becuase i dont know how to wire it wishout the wire lead from a head unit, since there will be no head unit in the car.

This is easy. The remote turn on expects +12V from the head unit to power up the amp. The easiest way to do this is simply with a switch that puts +12V on this line, of course like any switch (read headlights) it can be left on and flatten your battery. Alternatively if you have some sort of circuitry that detects when your car has started then you could have this circuit latch a relay that switches +12V to the remote turn on line.

I'm interested to see how you get on because I am contemplating something similar

Nic · 04-06-2006, 07:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by binglax09

The main reason for not having a remote turn on is becuase i dont know how to wire it wishout the wire lead from a head unit, since there will be no head unit in the car. Yeah the drive died, i forgot to add that in since pretty much anything that dies on ipods is the hard drive. Does the dock connecter from Mouser have audio out and wiring for power?

Find your cars ACC wire and use that to turn on an amp (the acc wire is 12v when your key is in the acc or on positions)

bgeyer · 04-08-2006, 02:44 AM

i was also interested in creating an ipod head unit and actually fabricating the head unit to look like an apple product. Then running it through the existing car stero head unit. (double din available)
only problem was fabricating/getting parts and wires to reconfiguire the layout of the ipo's insides into an new case.

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busyychild · 06-21-2006, 12:45 PM

bump, anyone know of a manufactured adapter to run a 3.5 hd with the ipod, or have detailed instructions/ pinouts...

Pok · 07-18-2006, 08:30 AM

This link may be of some help to you... It's a tutorial on building your own 3.5 adapter. Lots of fine soldering involved, however.

http://www.command-tab.com/2005/03/13/ipod-super/

He used the 3G iPod, but the hard drive is exactly the same model as the 4th Gen 40gig model.

RedGTiVR6 · 07-18-2006, 09:51 AM

what a great newbie post!

I think we've got a keeper guys!

nice job Pok!

Pok · 07-18-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks. I appreciate it.