A few ISO/Headunit questions..

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 01:34

Hey,

I'm planning on doing a bit of extra wiring tomorrow when i fit my headunit into the car (Rover 214). I'm planning on fitting an extra connector that a laptop/iPod can be plugged into.

Now,

1. How simple would this be? Could I just add another wire to the ISO connector and send the signal straight to the speakers? Or would it need to run through the headunit so its amplified?

2. My headunit has an auxiliary input, however this only goes to the rear speakers, Is it possible to modify my headunit so it goes to all 4 speakers?

3. Is there anything else I need to take into account? There's already a place on the dash that i can put a connector, just a 3.5mm jack socket.

Thanks

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 01:53

something like that would be ideal, although i'd intend to make it myself, with a bit of help from my dad - who's an electronic engineer.

What i really need to know is - would the connection between the iPod/Laptop and speakers need to be amped?

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 18:29

anyone else?

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 18:53

paradigm said:
Yes it will need to run through the internal amp of the HU, the output on your Ipod will be very low voltage, and nowhere near enough to drive the car speakers, even if it outputs any sound at all, it will suck the life straight out of the ipod.

You need to wire it to your AUX in.

The only problem is, the AUX in on my headunit only outputs to the rear speakers for some reason :mad:

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 18:57

paradigm said:
Sounds like a problem with your HU then, as the AUX in is just that, an input. Its the driver within the HU that outputs to the speakers.

Question: Does your HU support different speaker/equilizer settings for each input/source. If so, its possible that the fader is set to 100% REAR for just the AUX.

Well, the unit itself doesn't have an option for Aux input - there's just a couple of phono sockets on the back, with 'rear' above them. I've plugged a mate's iPod into it before, and its just played in the back.

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:05

paradigm said:
In that case, how do you choose to stop playing AUX and switch to radio for example? Surely you dont have to pull the cable out to stop the feed?

Whatever's connected into the aux socket plays over the top of the radio/cd.

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:07

paradigm said:
Id say its new HU time then. Sounds a little carp to be honest.

Can't afford a new HU at the moment, and its an alright unit, haven't had a problem with it.

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:10

for reference, the unit in question is a Kenwood KDC-W4031.

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:11

paradigm said:
I could knock up a schematic for it, but it seems an OTT solution to a problem that shouln't be there in the first place.

Whats a schematic? That'd be great

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:12

Smiley Man said:
doesnt the HU have a cd changer input?

nope.

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 19:18

paradigm said:
schematic = Wiring diagram

Fire away chap, that'd be great. Are you on MSN?

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 23:12

Firestar_3x said:
Usually, depends on the unit, i removed a sony unit last week which had a pre out and a phono line in.

well its just labelled 'rear' - so it could be anything!

Andy - yep, got it out, took me an hour though!

Mark - yep, its that one, I couldn't find any instructions either!

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 23:22

Firestar_3x said:
Weird kenwood are usually quite good at providing on-line instructions, i fitted my kenwood into the MX last week and thats got so many audio options its untrue, i've had the same only playing out of the rears problem, but that was cause my unit it dual zone not sure if yours is capable of the same?

err...no idea mate, its an £85 unit!

I can't actually select an AUX input... :confused:

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 23:27

Firestar_3x said:
4 x 50 W max. output power
MOSFET amplifier stage
1 RCA pre-outs, 2 Volt
Tone control: Bass/Mid/Treble
Source tone memory
Loudness control
System Q sound system

Looks like you plugging an input into the pre out is somehow making audio come through the rear speakers, don't say anything about any inputs just outputs.

Ah, so its got no inputs?

Quick unrelated question - does a laptop have an amplifier? If i wired in a socket to output to the speakers, could a laptop power them?

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 23:31

Firestar_3x said:
Nope not enough power to drive the speakers, you best off getting a cheap car amp thats got High and low level inputs, use the pre out on the kenwood to amp the front car speakers then the other amp input to convert the ipod / laptop signal into a 3.5mm audio jack

Whats the cheapest you can pick up a car amp for?

-westy- · 22 Mar 2006 at 23:34

Firestar_3x said:
you coming to the camping meet mate cause if you are buy me a pub meal and i've got one you can have.

You sir, are on.

Now to find the money for a ticket

-westy- · 28 Mar 2006 at 01:53

Myself and my dad have devised a way to solve my little problem - luckily he's found an old amp, so its all sorted.

Right - the 1 preout on the back of my headunit (2x RCA) - would this be used for a sub(via an amp)?

-westy- · 28 Mar 2006 at 15:38

Firestar_3x said:
Depends, it could be -->

- Font Out
- Rear Out
- Non Fading

Should be stickered up, its prolly a Front Out if its the only RCA connection so it can be used for a sub or fronts.

its just labelled as 'rear'.