Hi,

Need some advice/help...

I have a Lexus RX300 that is in need of an AUX jack for my iPod. It
has a proprietary audio system which I need to keep intact. I've
looked at a number of aftermarket AUX adapters from companies like
PAC, Blitzsafe, PIE, but these are a lot of money and and seem overly
complicated for such a simple thing.

My idea is to run the factory +/- CD changer signal outputs to a relay
that is also wired up to the +/- leads going to a female stereo aux
jack.

I have a number of questions about this...

1. Will this even work?
2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?
3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?
4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?
5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Best,
D.

I have a Lexus RX300 that is in need of an AUX jack for my iPod. It
has a proprietary audio system which I need to keep intact. I've
looked at a number of aftermarket AUX adapters from companies like
PAC, Blitzsafe, PIE, but these are a lot of money and and seem overly
complicated for such a simple thing.

You own a Lexus but you don't have the money for a PAC adapter?


My idea is to run the factory +/- CD changer signal outputs to a relay
that is also wired up to the +/- leads going to a female stereo aux
jack.

I have a number of questions about this...

1. Will this even work?

Do you even have analog signal outputs like you describe?

2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?

Two DPDTs.

3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?

Well, no. But I'm not sure what kind of effect there would be on a signal
travelling through a relatively large magnetic field being driven by a
possibly noisy coil current.

4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?

No. How about forget about the relay and just get a switch from Radio
Shack? They have AV switches for about ten bucks.

5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Maybe.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Oh yeah, you'd have to keep the changer control signals still intact while
operating the ipod.

Buy the PAC adapter.

"Mark Zarella" wrote in message
...
I have a Lexus RX300 that is in need of an AUX jack for my iPod. It
has a proprietary audio system which I need to keep intact. I've
looked at a number of aftermarket AUX adapters from companies like
PAC, Blitzsafe, PIE, but these are a lot of money and and seem overly
complicated for such a simple thing.

You own a Lexus but you don't have the money for a PAC adapter?
Oh I have the money - but you don't get rich being frivolous either!


My idea is to run the factory +/- CD changer signal outputs to a relay
that is also wired up to the +/- leads going to a female stereo aux
jack.

I have a number of questions about this...

1. Will this even work?

Do you even have analog signal outputs like you describe?
Good question, I'm getting the wiring schematic soon - I'll know then.

2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?

Two DPDTs.
How would that be wired up?

3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?

Well, no. But I'm not sure what kind of effect there would be on a signal
travelling through a relatively large magnetic field being driven by a
possibly noisy coil current.

4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?

No. How about forget about the relay and just get a switch from Radio
Shack? They have AV switches for about ten bucks.
Are these specifically for car audio signals?

5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Maybe.
How would I avoid that? Diode? Capacitor? Across which poles?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Oh yeah, you'd have to keep the changer control signals still intact while
operating the ipod.

Buy the PAC adapter.
Well PAC doesnt really offer one - PIE does (sorta) but it has like 4 aux
inputs, costs about $100, and is complete overkill. I figure the cost for
the electronic components I'd need if I did it myself *might* run $10. LOL

Lexus should be roasted over a spit for integrating audio systems the way
they do. They leave people very few options. I know why they do it but I
still hate it.

2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?

Two DPDTs.
How would that be wired up?

Sorry, just one for your purposes.


3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?

Well, no. But I'm not sure what kind of effect there would be on a
signal
travelling through a relatively large magnetic field being driven by a
possibly noisy coil current.

4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?

No. How about forget about the relay and just get a switch from Radio
Shack? They have AV switches for about ten bucks.
Are these specifically for car audio signals?

They're just switches that look pretty and have RCA connections.


5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Maybe.
How would I avoid that? Diode? Capacitor? Across which poles?

None of the above. To avoid it, you would need to switch first.


Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Oh yeah, you'd have to keep the changer control signals still intact
while
operating the ipod.

Buy the PAC adapter.
Well PAC doesnt really offer one - PIE does (sorta) but it has like 4 aux
inputs, costs about $100, and is complete overkill. I figure the cost for
the electronic components I'd need if I did it myself *might* run $10. LOL

Check ebay. There are people that have the Peripheral pieces for cheap.

Have you considered FM modulators?
I know I know... they are not the highest fidelity but for non-critical
applications it may suit your needs.

I bought a USB FM transmitter type. it plugs into the USB port on my IBM
laptop and transmits its own FM signal at 88.7 MHz, just tune your FM tuner
to that Freq and voila. I play DVDs, MP3s and run my GPS unit through my
T40 laptop... all are non-critical for me.

Garrett

"Sketchy" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

Need some advice/help...

I have a Lexus RX300 that is in need of an AUX jack for my iPod. It
has a proprietary audio system which I need to keep intact. I've
looked at a number of aftermarket AUX adapters from companies like
PAC, Blitzsafe, PIE, but these are a lot of money and and seem overly
complicated for such a simple thing.

My idea is to run the factory +/- CD changer signal outputs to a relay
that is also wired up to the +/- leads going to a female stereo aux
jack.

I have a number of questions about this...

1. Will this even work?
2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?
3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?
4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?
5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Best,
D.

One more thing... the unit is a little smaller than USB flash drive and
cost me $19.

Garrett

"sanitarium" wrote in message
news:1076020048.661234@sj-nntpcache-5...
Have you considered FM modulators?
I know I know... they are not the highest fidelity but for non-critical
applications it may suit your needs.

I bought a USB FM transmitter type. it plugs into the USB port on my IBM
laptop and transmits its own FM signal at 88.7 MHz, just tune your FM
tuner
to that Freq and voila. I play DVDs, MP3s and run my GPS unit through my
T40 laptop... all are non-critical for me.

Garrett

"Sketchy" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

Need some advice/help...

I have a Lexus RX300 that is in need of an AUX jack for my iPod. It
has a proprietary audio system which I need to keep intact. I've
looked at a number of aftermarket AUX adapters from companies like
PAC, Blitzsafe, PIE, but these are a lot of money and and seem overly
complicated for such a simple thing.

My idea is to run the factory +/- CD changer signal outputs to a relay
that is also wired up to the +/- leads going to a female stereo aux
jack.

I have a number of questions about this...

1. Will this even work?
2. What kind of relay do I need (I assume double pole double throw)?
3. Does the relay have to be a special audio signal type of relay?
4. Will the relay automatically switch (and stay switched) whenever
the iPod offers a signal?
5. Do I need a mechanical A/B switch also?
6. Will I hear a noise "pop" when switching? If so, how do I avoid
that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've talked with a number of
installers in the area who seem clueless about relays (go figure) so I
guess I'm on my own to do this. =(

Best,
D.