W211 Aux input for DAB

[Alps]

Im getting modding fever again

Can you plumb more than one input into the aux input?

I currently have the MB ipod kit, but wanted to fit a DAB radio too, i was wondering if there would be an issue if i also wired the Aux Jack input in, but obviously only used one of the inputs at a time.

Or should i forget the Aux and use the aeriel? if so would i have to take the aeriel from the rear gateway unit?

prob a question for Richard or Alfie#

i was thinking of EZI-DAB unit

thanks in advance

 

[richard]

Use the AUX - much better.

I made a little switch setup for a customer (a nice shielded switch, an AUX lead and a 3 pin female socket for the iPod kit to plug into) to switch between iPod and the AUX input

Richard

 

[Alps]

Thanks Richard, sounds like exactly what i need to do!

any links to similar shielded switches and female sockets, i feel another mod coming

 

[Alps]

ok taken the plunge, EZI-DAB unit arrived yesterday, just trying to find the right type of switch for the aux before installing.

 

[richard]

I used one of these
Sub-Miniature Toggle Switches : Toggle Switches : Maplin Electronics

Needs to be dual pole changeover (DPDT) (i.e. dual pole for left and right, and changeover to select between the two inputs), and you need the one that can be set to either position 1 or 2 (rather than auto-returning to centre, or having a centre off position). I think that was Type E, but just read the specs to be sure.

Use the centre (common) contacts for the output (left and right), and solder the grounds all together *and* to the body of the switch for shielding.

I used a new AUX input lead and chopped it at the appropriate point, and a lead with a 3.5mm jack on for the other input plugged directly into the audio-out of the DAB, but its pretty easy to take out the existing lead in a W211 and use that.

Richard

 

[Alps]

Thanks for that Richard, i ended up ordering a DPDT on-on mini rocker switch, i also considered a push switch and making a 3 way relay system so each press would switch to the next input (having total of x3 inputs, but that was trying to be too clever for this. lol.

a few more questions if you dont mind as i like to plan my install before i start pulling apart!

1. the aeriel - I have bought the KAE-220DA Aeirel, im not sure if this is correct and should have got the KAE-225DA? also mounting, from behind the rear view mirror, would horizontal be fine? any recomendations?

2. the unit, where would you mount on a w211? any ideas welcome

as always, appreciate all your advice Richard

 

[richard]

Use the KAE-5DA2 , it is significantly better than the 220DA and the 225DA. Basic aerial is crud and frankly, DAB is all about the aerial.

The reason I used the switch I suggested, is that it is well shielded with metal around it that can be grounded.

You can mount the unit where you like the look of it.

Aerial - vertical, away from metal, and use the ground tab supplied with the 5DA2.


Richard

 

[Alps]

Thanks Richard, ok aerial has been changed for the KAE-5DA2, much small and neater looking unit, in another post you mentioned installing it behind the rear view miror, is this still a good place in the w211 with the rain sensor there? or passenger side A pillar? Id like it to be as stealth as possible.

just waiting for my toggle switch to arrive before i put it all in.

 

[richard]

About 3-4 inches from either the A pillar or the rain sensor. Its pretty unobtrusive by the A pillar, and tend to put them there now.

Don't forget the grounding piece (the thing that looks brown) it sticks on top of the film antenna on the tab, and the other end is stuck on top of the paint on the metal above windscreen - no need to remove any paint (i.e dont remove any paint)

R

 

[Alps]

Finally completed this a few days back, as i was mainly working on it when i had a bit of time it took longer than it should have as i had to re-do a few things.



Aerial - this was the easiest bit, nice neat little windscreen mounted aerial, installed near the A-Pillar, very discrete and very good signal.



Input – I decided to make a small toggle switch as I have a ipod kit in the car and can now toggle the Aux between the two.



This was mounted in the ashtray. I had to re-do the switch a couple of times as the first time the wiring was too short and thick as the space is pretty limited to route additional wiring behind the cd changer. After using thinner wires and extending them, all fitted in nicely.
The Aux cable took ages to route through and as usual as I was about to give up it just popped through!, USB I made a little notch near the glove box light and it sits there nicely under the shelf ready to plug in.

Main unit – I placed this behind the passenger side carpet along the tunnel areas next to some sponge which already spaced this area out and made a nice cavity for it to fit in, this way I didn’t have to extend the wires.
Positive – was taken from the Cd changer
Ignition – taken from the cig lighter
Illum – also taken from the cig light
Earth – direct to the body.

Control unit\display – I thought long and hard where to put this, and the ashtray was the most logical place, easy to see, reach and control and hide away. I had bought a spare ashtray unit a few months back for something else I was going to mount in there , but htat never worked out, so I used it for this. I made a little panel from a bit of board for it to sit on, covered it with some felt and Velcro`d the unit on. I also drilled a little 6mm hole for the toggle switch.





Hardest part was making sure all the new wiring didn’t interfere with re-fitting the existing components back in.

Many Thanks to Richard for all his advice, without him It would have taken me twice as long to figure things out.

Only taken the car out on a longish drive since and it all seems good, nice strong signal, but I hadn’t had the time to play and set it all up properly yet

 

[JDMUK]

Random question, also in the process of getting myself one of these... Other pictures I have seen of the same Ariel have it the other way round.... With the long bits running down the glass (vertical) and you have gone the other way? Not sure it will make much difference?!

 

[Alps]

signal has always been spot on, looks better this way as its fairly hidden behind the top tint

 

[Richtea]

Really nice install, I want to do something similar.