Splitting the AUX input 2nd Gen, this is Working

[ablumny]

I recently mounted a Garmin 2720 GPS to my recently acquired 03 RSV and connected into the AUX input. Lots of background humming was solved with a Radio Shack ground loop isolator.

 

I then split the audio out from the 2720 and my Satellite radio with standard 1/8" splitters. The 2720 is mono out and is cutting out one channel from the satellite radio when both are on. Just being connected and not on, the 2720 is messing up the satallite badly. I had hoped to share the AUX input as I did on my prior ride with an aftermarket audio system.

 

I see many expensive solutions talked about here. I also picked up on a few inexpensive idea (thx guys). But after speaking with an engineering type friend of mine, he came up with an easy plug and play affordable solution. It was simple and it works:

 

- Simply put a Ground Loop Isolator on the output of both devices that will share the AUX input of the factory radio. A number of adapters are required to make the transitions from headphone type jacks to the RCA types of the Ground Loop Isolator and back to headphone jack of the AUX input. Everything is Radio Shack available. Wall Mart has the Isolators for $13.50 by me ($18 @ Radio Shack).

- In my case, since the Garmin 2720 is mono out, I also had to get a 1/32" mono - 1/8" stereo adapter.

- In all I spent ~$40 for the connection hardware, no soldering, just plugs and wire ties.

 

Hows it work?

- Adjust the bike volume to a comfortable level and the device output volumes of both units so that the GPS is comfortably louder than the other device, in my case the satellite radio.

- Although I have to crank up the bikes volume slightly more than I used to, it sounds just as good as it did before and when it GPS time, she chimes in nicely.

 

Hope it helps...

_______________

[utadventure]

Nicely done, this is what I did for my cb and ipod and it could easily do this for your inputs as well since you can change the inputs and outputs to what ever plugs you want.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35272

[ablumny]

Nicely done, this is what I did for my cb and ipod and it could easily do this for your inputs as well since you can change the inputs and outputs to what ever plugs you want.

 

Actually, I studied your schematics before taking this route. I'm not that smart to know what to do with your drawings and none of my engineering pals would volunteer!

 

thx

[ablumny]

The subject was splitting the AUX input between two devices. With just a splitter, there are all sorts of noise volume and clarity issue plus possible device damage.

 

My prior fix sort of worked. Im not sure if it was so many adapters and connection points or something else but the while the volume split worked it didn't work consistently. Different power sequencing between the two devices would often yield different volume levels.

 

The solution was suggested to me by a friend; a passive mixer with ground loop isolators. Parts from RadioShack for less than $15 for the mixer parts and $12 each for the isolators from Walmart it works great. Complete output separation between the two devices, crystal clear, with an easy way to adjust the levels between the two. I chose to have access to the knobs but I suspect it could be a set it and forget it type thing as well. I also chose to hard wire right to the Audio Pots but a bigger box could support panel mounted 1/8" mini plugs. I just wanted to eliminate all possible adapter failures.

 

There are small 4 channel passive mixers from partsexpress.com for $50. This device (plus the schematics to build one) is at http://www.parts-express.com/pdf/245-042.pdf.

 

Hope it helps someone.

 

 

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