Belkin Auto Adapter Take-Apart
I am hard-wiring the Belkin Auto Adapter into a 12-volt lead in the ashtray of my 1987 BMW 635CSi. The previous owner had tapped into one of two lights that illuminate the ashtray container to power a 9-volt DC adapter, which I've removed and rewired into the Belkin.
http://www.dvsmith.net/images/6er/radio/belkin_inside.jpg
http://www.dvsmith.net/images/6er/radio/belkin_connections.jpg
Here it is, hardwired into ashtray, with iPod Armor (for spacing):
http://www.dvsmith.net/images/6er/radio/belkin_finished.jpg
The green LED was removed from the Belkin adapter, to reduce the draw.
(See this thread: http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7627 )
I plan to modify the Armor with a dock-connector cut-out. Without the line-out plugged-in, the ashtray will close, so long as the cables are tucked inside.
# 1 Re: Belkin Auto Adapter Take-Apart
Thanks for the photos. Looking at the belkin wiring up close, would it be possible to bypass the amplified line out, or did you already do that? I'd like a straight line level out without the amplification, much like the line out on the dock is.
Thanks
# 2 Re: Belkin Auto Adapter Take-Apart
I decided to leave the line amp in-place, though I'm sure if you figured out which wires from the dock cable corresponded to the line out, you could de-solder them from the amp and tie them directly to the mini-jack.
I don't really worry about the 10mA draw on the line amp, at least not now, and the concept doesn't bother me, the way it seems to irk others on the board (still not quite sure why).
# 3 Re: Belkin Auto Adapter Take-Apart
I'm considering bypassing the amp in the Belkin as well. Not for current draw issues, but rather for sound quality. I can't imagine Belkin used a very expensive amplifier so I'd like to have the line-out right from the iPod into the head unit. The links to the images in the original post don't seem to work anymore. Does anyone have pics, or at least an insight as to how difficult it would be to modify the Belkin in such a way? I have soldering skills; I just don't want to break the thing trying to get it apart. Thanks,
Delroy
