Hey guys! I've mostly been lurking for the last few months, but there is a project idea that's been bouncing around in my head that I just can't shake.
I drive a 2002 Crown Victoria (used cop car, hehe). Unfortunately, the stereo unit is only AM/FM, so currently I'm using an FM adapter to listen to music off my cell phone. Problem is, I haven't been able to find an adapter that isn't clunky as hell. Plus. the headphone jack on my phone is going to shit, so the music quality cuts in and out unless it's in JUST the right angle (drives me insane).
The easy way out is to just install a bluetooth head unit, but
1.) that's boring
2.) I'd like to keep the stock stereo (one less reason for a crackhead to bust into my car)
I'd love to homebrew a way to use bluetooth on my car without purchasing a bluetooth head unit. This would require some way to switch the lines to the speakers - between my stock head unit, and a custom system that connects to my phone.
my FUD on the project:
- pretty sure the amp is built into the head unit - can I find a bluetooth device with enough power to drive the speakers?
- There are front and rear speakers (4 total), so I'd need to split the L and R channels to get audio to all the speakers. I don't care about fade/balance not working. But this presumably leads to half the power going to each speaker.
What I'd like to do is purchase a bluetooth audio receiver, install it somewhere under the dash, then tap into the audio wires running out of the stereo. I'd be able to activate bluetooth audio with a switch somewhere, and essentially divert the input to the speakers to my bluetooth receiver. I'd permanently power it with a simple 12V->5V adapter.
Receiver:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1KT0T74005Power adapter:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC-Buck-Converter-Step-Down-12V-to-5V-3A-15W-Car-LED-Power-Supply-DC-Step/490202528.htmlSo why am I here blabbing on to all of you nice people?
One, does anyone have insight to my FUD? Most people aren't dumb enough to do this on their own, so there isn't much guidance out there.
Also, I am having trouble finding a double throw switch that controls multiple inputs/outputs at once. Is this a thing? I can't seem to find the search term to find anything relevant on Google. Basically, one throw that will switch all eight lines at once (+ and - for all four speakers).
Additionally,
Also, does anyone have experience with homebrewed bluetooth stuff? Could this be something that I make myself on one board? The all-in-one device would require bluetooth A2DP, accept 12V power, and have two outputs. Might potentially solve my output drive problem if I can integrate an amp to the design. Might also be able to control the switch itself using a microprocessor or some kind, but I have minimal experience in that area (but always willing to learn).
Sorry that I'm all over the place, I tend to post stream-of-consciousness. Is anyone willing to chip in? Is this a useless project? Do I ask to many questions?
Cheers,
mike