Has anyone installed a 12v mp3 amp, if so which one ? As I am looking to remove the stereo and just using a mp3 player
I will ask tony later witch one he has fitted works well ;-)up
Have a word with Andy Robinson - he may be using something similar to what you are thinking about and may be able to describe the pros and cons better than I can
;)
Do I really need to talk to Andy ;D
Quote from: mk4buggy on September 09, 2013, 08:27:57 PM
Do I really need to talk to Andy ;D
Just dont mention hair products ;D ;D ;D
Oi! You two! I heard that! :P ;D ;D
Yes this was exactly what I was looking for mine. And my conclusion now.....
Stick with a head unit!
Well in my case, I wanted something waterproof, not bothered about radio or CDs but want a USB socket or Bluetooth streaming. Looked at various options last year (so things may have changed) but then, there were cheap chinese/American products but they were cheap in terms of quality.
A parrot unit used for bluetooth hands free on your phone but also streams and USB socket. They have their own amp too. But the cost was much greater than many standard head units.
So in the end I went for the marine unit you've seen. It's ok, quite clever really and waterproof but... For user ability from the USB stick, it's a bit crap. Say you have 5 albums each with 20 tracks, you can only scroll through the numerically listed tracks individually 1 to 100. (You can't jump from one album to another)
Of course Bluetooth streaming from you phone is much easier and you have complete control then but in both cases it's just not loud enough, it's not bad, but just nt as good as I want it to be. Now I only have 2 of the possible 4 speakers fitted and the nature of my buggy, the wind noise at speed is greater. So may be adding an external amp and more speakers may be better. But I'm certainly on the look out for a better solution.
Cheers for the info Andy, I was looking to declutter the interior and get rid of the head unit, as I only use the mp3 aux port, but as you said all of the mp3 amps look cheap and cheerful and only 2 channels, so I will keep looking
If looking to De-Clutter - one option (not cheap) is to look at a marine stereo under the seat and an external remote flybridge control on the dash
(http://www.clarion.com/gb/en/MungoBlobs/230/582/MW1-EU_01,8.jpg)
http://www.clarion.com/gb/en/products/2012/marine_audio/remote_control/MW1/gb-en-product-pf_1259588448690.html
yes but with the note of exhaust whats the point may as well get a hand held and stick it in ya pocket
I have 2 x 12" bass drivers running full range off an amp mounted between them behind what used to be the upper half of the rear seat, more than loud enough to hear over even my noisy exhaust.
I have 2 smaller speakers in the front, but I can't really hear anything from these, they just help with the treble.
I also need to look into some form of MP3 or bluetooth head unit as the current one is a Minidisc player :D
any replacement will need to fit in the slot that the minidisc player vacates - so standard car head unit size.
This is the Parrot unit I mentioned. You can get it without the colour display and just have a more basic one. It has its own amp and so usually "bypasses" to the car speakers for when you use it. I know folks with them in their normal cars and they are fine. The question is are they powerful enough for use in a buggy?
Oh course it still seems crazy fitting a phone hands free device in the buggy in the first place!
I wonder how refurbished these units are because, it could now at that price be a good solution for you guys?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Parrot-MKi9200-Stereo-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Music-Streaming-A2DP-USB-iPod-iPhone-/360713450533?pt=UK_Car_Speakerphones&hash=item53fc327425 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Parrot-MKi9200-Stereo-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Music-Streaming-A2DP-USB-iPod-iPhone-/360713450533?pt=UK_Car_Speakerphones&hash=item53fc327425)
QuoteThe question is are they powerful enough for use in a buggy?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Not a hope in hell :-X
Alternatively then, why don't you guys look into noise-cancelling headphones? And they're not limited to just buggy use either :-\ Depends what you want from it...
Headphones are illegal in a car for the driver - specifically mentioned in the highway code too
You should know that Hazel, you read that a lot more recently than most of us on here :P
But Hazel.... you miss the point, the music not for our listening... its for the others to see how cool we are with great music!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Actually joking apart, who among us can deny thats the case. ::) ::) ::)
Though on long journeys you are quite right, have thought about doing just that with the headphones myself. That said and I know there is an element of irony here, but I'm wary of driving with headphones as you can't hear the outside world. (there may still be laws against it too) Either way, it doesn't really look good if an irate motorist sees you wearing them. ;-)up
EDIT: Dave beat me to it!
i use one earphone from the music on my phone my excuse if stopped is its a handsfree device ;-)up
I was pulled once on the way home from work, for having small headphones whilst driving, so be aware.
Quote from: mk4buggy on September 12, 2013, 07:39:01 PM
I was pulled once on the way home from work, for having small headphones whilst driving, so be aware.
And yet people can use handfree bluetooth things in their ears?
And what about deaf people ??? no offence meant.
Not sure of the correct definition, but there is a difference between headphones and a single earpiece
I would have expected hearing aids to be classified and exempted as such though.
Aplogies all - it appears that I am mistaken.
My understanding from an archaic version of the highway code was that a single earpiece was permitted, such as for hands free car kits etc, and the useage of dual earpieces or headphones was outlawed, but it appears that I may be incorrect.
After a quick bit of research, I stand corrected (for the time being)
At present, the UK now appears to lack legislation outlawing the wearing of headphones while driving. According to Rule 148 of the Highway Code, however, drivers are advised to avoid distractions such as loud music, since safe driving requires concentration. In the event of a crash, headphones could be considered evidence for the driver's failure to pay enough attention on the road.
Obviously this is only what I have found, and you are advised to research this for yourself before plugging yourself in.
i guess it kinda like the age old "Driving without due care and attention" covers all possibilities.
:) earphones in + tonedeath singer = noise pollution :o
as most buggy are open surely it would be better to crank up the volume than to have another driver tell you to shut the hell up lol
unless we got a pop idol in the room ? ???
What about speakers in the head rest as in early mazda mx5!?
Quote from: mk4buggy on September 09, 2013, 06:54:29 PM
Has anyone installed a 12v mp3 amp, if so which one ? As I am looking to remove the stereo and just using a mp3 player
I use a Pyle 4 channel waterproof marine power amp 4 x 100amps RMs @ 4 ohms , enuf to hear 70's reggae in a quite noisey beast.
comes with a plug in for on the dash for the MP3/Ipod, simple with matching speakers and waterproof. :) :) :) :) :)
so, parts have been ordered for a 12v bluetooth boombox (http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker-Boombox/) for the buggy... The one in the link above has a couple of clumsy parts to it, and the Pi one will be a bit slicker (hopefully... :) )
Already hoarded:
- Raspberry pi
- bluetooth dongle
- 12v to 5v 3A converter
- 2.1 12v digital stereo amp
- charge splitter
- 5" component speakers
Just looking for an appropriate wooden toolbox...
connect via a power port cable to a standard connector in the side of the box, and get it strapped down well, then bluetooth from the phone, streaming spotify*
*other music streaming services are available... :)
So, quick update. The below is everything bar the battery to create a bluetooth streaming music system.
(http://www.archbish.com/pics/buggy/boombox3.jpg)
This is run from a 12v feed. That is split to power a 12v amp (the bit in the middle with the copper coils), and a raspberry pi, via a 12v to 5v 3amp converter.
The raspberry pi is running raspian with bluez plugins to power the bluetooth nano usb. Some fairly rudimentary config and coding maps the music playing through the bluetooth usb to the headphone output which goes to the input to the amp. This in turn, obviously powers the speakers.
There is also a 12v battery included, and a master power switch.
(http://www.archbish.com/pics/buggy/boombox1.jpg)
This is the container - an old paraffin can picked up for 50p from the tip. The wires out of the top are no internal, and a push on/off switch is in the filler cap. The wire to the opposite side is a 12v charge from a cigarette lighter - this is wired up in such a way that if the box is powered off, it's still charging the internal battery.
(http://www.archbish.com/pics/buggy/boombox2.jpg)
The underside of said can.
It plays for a good long while, although the pi can take a little while to boot up and connect, and there is some interference noise within the pi.
But overall, it's crackingly loud, and will play for hours on a single charge. Next step is to code auto pairing into the pi so others can connect to it over bluetooth.
Love the petrol can - not seen that before ;D
Looking forward to hearing this one with great interest ;)
:D Thanks - it just happened to be the right size. It would have been good to be able to countersink the speakers (esp the tweeters) so that may be a further mod, but very pleased with it so far...
Mark have you considered one of these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/shark-600w-fm-Bluetooth-motorcycle-marine-amplifier-w-antenna-2-remotes-black-/311029888691?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486ad376b3 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/shark-600w-fm-Bluetooth-motorcycle-marine-amplifier-w-antenna-2-remotes-black-/311029888691?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486ad376b3)
ive been thinking about going for this. has bluetooth streaming and line in etc.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181701693686?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
(http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/tombailey77/_57%201_zpsnopysz14.jpg) (http://s757.photobucket.com/user/tombailey77/media/_57%201_zpsnopysz14.jpg.html)
i have stuck by infinity products over the years and been very happy with them, at least the older lines (green kappa and beta range)
I believe it is basically a Polaris unit but much cheaper.
Looks "similar" to the polaris, but I think the internals may be different
Certainly interested to see how you get on with this one, as its one of the few Marine ones I have not experienced yet ???
agreed, probably different internals.
thing is i have a bunch of stuff in the garage i could use. piles of mostly infinity beta stuff (speakers amps xovers etc..) that i want to use but don't want to ruin it all as its quite rare now. I assume Marine grade stuff is fairly essential in a buggy?
Quote from: tombailey77 on June 19, 2015, 10:54:18 AM
I assume Marine grade stuff is fairly essential in a buggy?
Not at all - you can get away with conventional audio just so long as you don`t get it wet.
I personally favor Marine equipment though for two reasons - firstly, yes, my car does get wet, and when it does I can hose it down with confidence as my whole interior and electrics are built from Marine equipment and therefore fairly impervious to water and corrosion, and secondly, Marine equipment tends to be very strange shapes, and does not lend itself well to being implanted into cars owned by chavs with light fingers - so I can also park it up with confidence too.
;-)up
Not sure if this is of interest to anyone
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/bluetooth-75-watt-amplifier?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=bb1088d26f-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5af799d590-bb1088d26f-94503709 (http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/bluetooth-75-watt-amplifier?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_campaign=bb1088d26f-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5af799d590-bb1088d26f-94503709)
BLUETOOTH 75 WATT MINIATURE AMPLIFIER
NO NEED FOR A HEAD UNIT.
JUST PLAY YOUR MUSIC DIRECTLY FROM YOUR PHONE,
TABLET OR LAPTOP VIA BLUETOOTH.
This discreet little amp. is so easy to install.
Just connect up the power and speakers and you can wirelessly connect
to your smartphone, tablet or any other Bluetooth device.
Maximum power output 2 x 75 Watt / 4Ω
RMS Power output 2 x 25 Watt / 4Ω
Input level control
Dimensions 100mm x 78mm x 38mm
Supplied with plug-in wiring harness and fixings.
Weight 400gm
Now I like that Gordon, in fact if I was buying now, would certainly consider it.... but the question I have would be how loud would it be?
Compare the power outputs on my unit (see the product link below also)
Power (RMS): 4x 25W
Power (max): 4x 40W
So the root mean square of power is 4x channels of 25W - so each of the 4 speakers would be the same as just 2 speakers of the Car Builder Solutions amp.
And I found when I just had two speakers it wasn't loud enough especially when bluetooth connected. With all 4 speakers its better but not brilliant.
The issue with buggies like boats are open and so are just not acoustically as loud as a car would be. If that unit had more power I would seriously consider changing it!
The product details of my unit (see also the comments I made on an earlier post in this thread)
http://www.marine-audio.com/products/gauge_size_marine_usbmp3_player_with_bluetooth.php