Adding an aux input to a pre-versatile link Alpine Deck

[explorer2]

Heres how I did it since there are no off the shelf solutions available to get an aux iput on an older Alpine deck. I wanted an input for an ipod on my 7949, but besides a modulater(all of which are terrible) theres nothing out there. I found a way that will work on any cd changer compatible head unit. What I did was solder 2 rca leads onto the outputs inside the case. In my cha-s614 the wires were marked on the board which made identifying them easy, but I double checked with a DMM and the pinout for the Ai-net connector. Then I put it all back together, I did have to slightly modify(cut) the corner piece for the new rca cable to fit above the ainet cable.

The key to making this all work is to find a way to tell the headunit to activate the input, I accomplished this by making a stereo track of complete silence the length of a cd using Audacity, and then burning that onto a cd. I even went as far as to label that cd IPOD, so when it is selected It appears as if it is actually and Ipod input. I hope this helps anyone else in the same situation.

[khail19]

Sounds pretty cool, but did you take any pics?

[explorer2]

I didnt take any pics of the process, but I will get pics of the finished product.

[bikinpunk]

I'd really like to see pics of this.

[dallasneon]

On the 7949 you can do the same thing with an Ai-net to rca cable.Take the cell phone mute wire and hook it to a toggle thats goes to ground. On the bottom of the deck flip the switch to "AUX ON" i think could be "Aux OFF"can't recall,try it both ways. With your ipod hooked to the inputs,flip the toggle switch to ground and it should feed the ipod audio signal thru the audio channels of the Ai-net cable. It worked for me. Of course this is if you are not using a changer.

[FrankstonCarAudio]

I'm not familiar with the 7949, cos we never had it here in Australia, but if it has an Ai-net connector, couldn't you just use a KCA-121B Ai-net to RCA Input adapter?
That allows any RCA equipped unit to play thru as an AUX in.
All you would need is an Ipod to RCA lead which I know Stinger do....

I will admit that I have been wrong before.... :D

Mark

[explorer2]

I tried the adapter with the switch and no luck, the only switch on the bottom of the 7949 is the ainet mode switch for a processer. So i'm not exactly sure what switch you are talking about. It is only guaranteed to work with versatile link decks. I will get pictures tomorrow.

[explorer2]

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/explorer2ri/0406081625.jpg
Here you can see the pins of the ainet out pigtail. The 2 closest to the top are labeled l,g, and r and are the audio outputs: left,right, and the shared ground. I tapped into the plug on the other side so that the ainet and the rca pigtail can be removed as one.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/explorer2ri/0406081626.jpg
This shows how the plastic corner piece had to be cut to allow extra room. Originally I wanted to mount a set of jacks on the case but there is no room at all because it is so compact.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/explorer2ri/0406081627.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff242/explorer2ri/0406081628.jpg
Thats the finished product. I think I will be taking it apart again so that I can isolate everything with diodes, but for now its not an issue, but I will take more detailed pictures then.

[explorer2]

So far it has worked perfectly. So to recap for a total of $40 i gained an aux input, a changer that plays burned cds, playing through a top notch headunit.
i'm very happy with it.

[pikers]

i miss my 7949 :(

Did the cell phone mute mod with a portable MD player back in the day.

[explorer2]

i miss my 7949 :(

Did the cell phone mute mod with a portable MD player back in the day.

I'm not sure why it didnt work with mine

[pikers]

I'm not sure why it didnt work with mine

Me neither. The wiring must be reversed in some way. It's actually quite simple, and electrically safe (to the radio).

[explorer2]

Me neither. The wiring must be reversed in some way. It's actually quite simple, and electrically safe (to the radio).

I'm very sure it wasn't I was able to activate it and have it come up on the screen, and I used the alpine adapter not some cheap one. This works better for me because now i can play burned cds without carrying around originals.

[bentleyrb]

I'm looking to use Sirius with my 7949.
I've read that the Sir-Alp1 does work with the Alpine XM controller.
That would bring it into the h/u via FM. Not sure if that'll be good enough for me.
The guy I bought the 7949 had some sort of double pole double throw
switch he wired up to use his Ipod?

[What?]

Alpine KCA-801B *REQUIRES Ai-Net changer* http://www.crutchfield.com/S-osojWZXG9qA/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=500KCA801B

[finebar4]

Sooo glad to see my old changer as a guinea pig for this.....very innovative. Gotta go track down a 7949 now.