12 replies to this topic

[Rabbit]

Greetings!

I decided to build my SC-816 CD Changer and iPod switching device. It has been installed in one of my 2000 V70XC's. It works very well. Sounds no different than it did when I had the CD Changer only. MP3 sound excellent as well.

I am very pleased with it (considering that is a prototype)

Here are a few pictures:

Here is the rough schematic:


Rough Schematic

Here is the CD Changer and MP3 device (My Blackberry Storm):


CD Changer & MP3

Here is where I located the components (USA SPEC PA11-HON, wires and switcher):


Left Rear Compartment

Here is the Rear left corner where the antenna wiring is located (Tapped into constant 12V and switched 12V):


Left Rear Corner

And the Antenna Switch:


Antenna Switch

Cheers! Rabbit

[beadgc23]

Severe respect...that's very impressive!

PS - guess how I know you have a Center channel dash?

[crazykn]

I've also done this a few years back:

http://volvospeed.co...__fromsearch__1

[Быстров]

i have an antenna switch if anyone wants to do this.

[Rabbit]

crazykn, on 02 November 2009 - 07:41 AM, said:

I've also done this a few years back:

http://volvospeed.co...__fromsearch__1

Crazykn, yes, I remember you did this project a while back. Pretty cool! In my case, I had a stock Volvo changer, and wanted to keep it functional when I get an iPod (all I have right now is the Blackberry). I got the USA SPEC device for the future iPod, but at least I could test it out using the Blackberry.

The biggest problem is the proprietary Volvo 8 pin mini din connectors. I'm working to locate these "special" connectors.

I've only noticed one small problem. When changing from the CD Changer to the Blackberry, it works perfectly. However, when changing from the Blackberry to the CD changer, I get a little bit of audio from the Blackberry for a few seconds until the CD changer takes back control. For a few seconds (2-3) the audio from the CD changer is slightly distorted until the M-Bus handshaking normalizes. I'm thinking that perhaps I should switch the audio lines as well as the ACC line. I'll be trying that approach on the second prototype.

The easy solution to the problem is to PAUSE the SC-816 before I push the antenna switch - wait 4 seconds, and un-PAUSE the SC-816. In any case, it doesn't bother me with the momentary "confusion" that the HU experiences during the changeover from the USA SPEC device to the CD Changer.

The OEM antenna switch uses the OEM wiring harness, so there is no cutting or splicing needed. I only tapped into the two antenna wires (12V and switched 12V) at the rear left corner of the trunk, and a ring terminal for the ground wire (the relay ground). I'm trying to make this a simple, quick and clean installation when I'm finished.

My ultimate goal is to make this adapter as flexible and versatile as possible. My adapter should be able to use the Blitzsafe or the USA SPEC device - as well as a MP3 player via the AUX ports on the Blitzsafe or the USA SPEC device. You could even use two CD changers if you wanted to. Even two iPods could be used. Mix and match, if you will.

Cheers! Rabbit

[Rabbit]

beadgc23, on 02 November 2009 - 02:22 AM, said:

Severe respect...that's very impressive!

PS - guess how I know you have a Center channel dash?

Thx! I've got a ways to go yet before I'm satisfied with the design and connector issues.

O.K. - How do you know I have a Center channel dash?

Cheers! Amused Rabbit

[beadgc23]

Rabbit, on 03 November 2009 - 02:27 AM, said:

Thx! I've got a ways to go yet before I'm satisfied with the design and connector issues.

O.K. - How do you know I have a Center channel dash?

Cheers! Amused Rabbit

It's that bloody tan - I've got the same one! I may break down and get some interior paint mixed to match 3990, I've seen good results with SEM sand free primer. How do you like the Nokia inside-out speaker?

[msestina]

I think I still have one of those proprietary 8 pin din connectors for the CD. I bought it new for an AUX cable I was making but I since replaced the radio with aftermarket. I have a spool of the shielded audio cable too.
PM me if interested.

Rabbit, on 03 November 2009 - 02:09 AM, said:

Crazykn, yes, I remember you did this project a while back. Pretty cool! In my case, I had a stock Volvo changer, and wanted to keep it functional when I get an iPod (all I have right now is the Blackberry). I got the USA SPEC device for the future iPod, but at least I could test it out using the Blackberry.

The biggest problem is the proprietary Volvo 8 pin mini din connectors. I'm working to locate these "special" connectors.

I've only noticed one small problem. When changing from the CD Changer to the Blackberry, it works perfectly. However, when changing from the Blackberry to the CD changer, I get a little bit of audio from the Blackberry for a few seconds until the CD changer takes back control. For a few seconds (2-3) the audio from the CD changer is slightly distorted until the M-Bus handshaking normalizes. I'm thinking that perhaps I should switch the audio lines as well as the ACC line. I'll be trying that approach on the second prototype.

The easy solution to the problem is to PAUSE the SC-816 before I push the antenna switch - wait 4 seconds, and un-PAUSE the SC-816. In any case, it doesn't bother me with the momentary "confusion" that the HU experiences during the changeover from the USA SPEC device to the CD Changer.

The OEM antenna switch uses the OEM wiring harness, so there is no cutting or splicing needed. I only tapped into the two antenna wires (12V and switched 12V) at the rear left corner of the trunk, and a ring terminal for the ground wire (the relay ground). I'm trying to make this a simple, quick and clean installation when I'm finished.

My ultimate goal is to make this adapter as flexible and versatile as possible. My adapter should be able to use the Blitzsafe or the USA SPEC device - as well as a MP3 player via the AUX ports on the Blitzsafe or the USA SPEC device. You could even use two CD changers if you wanted to. Even two iPods could be used. Mix and match, if you will.

Cheers! Rabbit

[Rabbit]

msestina, on 03 November 2009 - 03:38 PM, said:

I think I still have one of those proprietary 8 pin din connectors for the CD. I bought it new for an AUX cable I was making but I since replaced the radio with aftermarket. I have a spool of the shielded audio cable too.
PM me if interested.

Thx! PM sent!

Cheers!

[BEJinFBK]

Good news for the DIYer's on this one. DIN connectors are everywhere.
DIN is a German industry standards organization that works with ISO
( International Standards Organization ) to specify an agreed
upon standard for lots of things, including connectors.
http://en.wikipedia....%C3%BCr_Normung

A little searching makes it a snap to find these:

https://www.alliedel...IN&N=4294887229

http://search.digike...din%20connector
( Highlight the 8 in the Number of Positons column and click "Apply Filter" for 4 pages of results)

http://www.mouser.co...1yzvt5rZ1yzvtn9

These are just a few fast, very broad searches.
Look for "Mini" DIN and you're good to go.

[Rabbit]

Just to clarify, Standard 8 pin mini din connectors do not work with the Volvo SC head units - nor with the Volvo CD changer. The Volvo connectors are NON-Standard. The connectors I used are designed exclusively to fit the Volvo radio and changer without the shell problems or bending the slightly offset pins. You will not be able to find the proprietary 8 pin mini din connectors easily. If you doubt what I'm saying, just try to use a standard 8 pin mini din in the SC series HU or Volvo changer - it won't work...

Cheers, Rabbit

[BEJinFBK]

Rabbit, on 21 March 2011 - 02:02 AM, said:

Just to clarify, Standard 8 pin mini din connectors do not work with the Volvo SC head units - nor with the Volvo CD changer. The Volvo connectors are NON-Standard. The connectors I used are designed exclusively to fit the Volvo radio and changer without the shell problems or bending the slightly offset pins. You will not be able to find the proprietary 8 pin mini din connectors easily. If you doubt what I'm saying, just try to use a standard 8 pin mini din in the SC series HU or Volvo changer - it won't work...

Cheers, Rabbit

"Standard" - "Proprietary", whatever...
OK - mini Rectangular 8 position DIN, then.
I'm just sayin' that DIN is a standard, it's not propriety.
And by proprietary, I mean, by definition: Volvo specific.

But no matter how ya slice it,
Great Idea and Writeup!
Nice work.