i use one earphone from the music on my phone my excuse if stopped is its a handsfree device 

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 
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 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.

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.

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.

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   


Looking forward to hearing this one with great interest   

  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

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



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.