Connecting to Car Audio

[abrehm]

I wanted to hook my iPod up to my car's deck so I could listen to it through my car stereo. I bought a cheap rca audio (stereo) to mini plug cord that hooked up to my cd players aux inputs then took the mini plug and pluged it into the head phone jack on my iPod. This seemes to work well, though i can only adjust the volume on the iPod and not the car stereo.

Anyway, I wanted to charge my iPod while I was playing it so I tried both my home charger and car charger (both generic) and once i did this a fairly loud hum or buzzing noise started. so basically i cannot charge my ipod while it is hooked up to my car stereo.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so how did you fix it. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Andy

[cvtech]

I suggest buying the Sik IMP. This will allow you to use the line-out port on the iPod and charge the ipod using a car charged if necesary. Take a look at what I did:


I have a Kenwood headunit with a rear aux port. I purchased the Kenwood Aux/cd changer connection on eBay for like $10 USD. This allows for an RCA(stereo) connection to the headunit. I then purchased a Sik IMP for a split connection to power and line out. I purchased a Monster cable 1/8 to RCA, real thick and heavyily covered, then plugged that in to the Sik IMP line out port. With the Sik IMP, they provide a car charger, everything one needs to charge the iPod. I broke apart the plastic housing that plugs into conventional cigarette lighters. I also made a custom power box that all is need a a direct 12v power source, the cig lighter is good for this, simply slice into the cig light wire after box is complete and you've got power. This work out nice for hiding wires.

http://12vaudi.com/pictures/12vaudipicturesimages/TalaPhoto0010.jpg
http://12vaudi.com/pictures/12vaudipicturesimages/TalaPhoto0009.jpg
http://12vaudi.com/pictures/12vaudipicturesimages/TalaPhoto0008.jpg

Power box:
http://12vaudi.com/pictures/12vaudipicturesimages/TalaPhoto0023.jpg
http://12vaudi.com/pictures/12vaudipicturesimages/TalaPhoto0024.jpg

I now have a really excellent sounding system and an iPod that is charging off the car's alternator. I never have to worry about chargin the iPod again. Toital cost of extra's after iPod = ~$50. Was it worth it, YES!

[abrehm]

thanks for the advise. i have a clarion deck that already had the two rca plugs in the back for the aux input. i have already purchased a cable that goes from rca to the headphone plug on my ipod, in addition to a car charger, so i basically have the same setup as you, just not quite as nice and stream lined. i do however have the annoying buzz when i charge the ipod. my initial thought is that the cheap cable that i bought from radio shack may not be as insulated and shielded as well as your nice monster cable. i dont really want to drop the money for a monster cable though if i dont know if it will help.

any thoughts?

thanks

andy

[cvtech]

Andy,

If you are plugging the cord for the stereo into your headphone jack there is a possibility that this can be causing the buzzing. Basically, the iPod has a small internal amplifier, and when you use the "internal amplifier" or headphone jack, the iPod is trying to produce more power to power that jack. In combination with charging it, there could be room for electrical noise or buzzing. When using the line-out port (this is a port that is "hidden" in your iPod's FireWire port) the iPod is no longer running the internal amplifier yet just passing the full quality audio out to another connection.

My setup is custom as most are that have gone this route. I suggest lookin into the SIK IMP connections or SendStation's Pocket Dock with line out and power connectors. These items will allow the line-out port on the iPod to plugged into by other wires like a RCA breakout cable.

If you care about sound quality at all, this is truly the ONLY way to go. I hope this helps. If you need even further assistance with this issue, please feel free to email me.

CvTech