Using old german head unit as a 'remote'?

Argh! Bidded on 3 head units. All went for just a little more than my max bid. I refuse to pay more than 40 euro for something that may not work.
The annoying thing is that there was a HU in VGC that went for less than my max bids!
FFS. I will beat the Germans eventually http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121048613542?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140903675595?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oldtimer-Autoradio-Blaupunkt-VW-Original-Radio-Bastlergerat-/150969937310?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&nma=true&si=ssWTQf669g85JdAYuKHQ0XFh6AQ%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

The last link one was nicer than the 1st link one, but it sold cheaper. Logic?! Haha I also put a higher max bid on the first link one that sold today. I must be getting despirate!!!

if you have a steady hand then i think this could actually be doable, dependign on the construction of the old hu and the new hu. the old hu will probably be easy to tap into as its likely got big fat button contacts to the inside of the stereo that are easy to splice into. the moden HU front panel woudl be more tricky as they can have tiny pcb contacts which not easy to tap into.

the volume knob would be tricky though, unless you buy a modern head unit with a proper knob on it that way you know it does at least have some kind of pot.

have a look on google, at projects where people have made remote mounted face off projects, and basically do something similar but use the old stereo tapped into the face off connections.

it will take a lot of research and carefull work but if you really want to do it it can be done! the key is make sure your 'moden' head unit isnt reeeeealy modern i guess

Thanks, will consider that I found a nice little 4x30w rms amp from china- according to reviews it is very similar to the amp used in pioneer and alpine modern HU's. Best part is that it is £15! It looks identical to this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bybyte-Quad-7850-Internal-4-x-50W-AMP-BBX-1-BBN-Carputer-Car-PC-Black-Box-Nano-/200721764379?pt=US_Computer_Speakers&hash=item2ebbf3101b
Except the listing is less comprehendable!

Bidding on another radio, lost another lol!
This one is stereo and not blaupunkt, so the camper and porsche lovers should leave it alone- but it still looks pretty cool IMO.

It is on ebay Germany. The seller doesn't have paypal as an option, but they have 100% feedback with a fair few (20 or so) items sold. They have also been very willing to help, and have sent me pics etc.

Do you think a bank transfer will be safe?

Cheers
Rob

should be fine as long as the seller is trust worthy

Be aware… If your bank is anything like mine there's a £9.50 fee for international transfers to factor in even if you do all the donkey work yourself on-line!

Why don't you get a good/old radio E.G blaupunkt stereo. Then a mp3 player or whatever and get an FM transmitter and plug that in. (I used to have one on a CD player in the boot). All you need todo then is 'tune in' to your own 'DUB FM'.

Longimanus said

Why don't you get a good/old radio E.G blaupunkt stereo. Then a mp3 player or whatever and get an FM transmitter and plug that in. (I used to have one on a CD player in the boot). All you need todo then is 'tune in' to your own 'DUB FM'.

I am just going to plug my phone into the din socket on the back,  thanks for the suggestion though. 

Update!  Finally won a radio! Cost me 25 quid. The seller allowed me to use PayPal finally too. It's stereo, and supposedly from an 82 golf. Tested it today, picked up a few stations, needs a decent aerial though as it was crackly as! 

There's a small niggle, the display lights have blown, but I'll just get some leds and solder them in. 

It has a 7 pin din plug. Has anyone got any ideas how to wire this into a 3.5mm jack? 

Also, there is a red and blue wire coming from the back. Both power the unit, but only one is needed? They also go to different places internally?  And ideas there? 

It had 2 channel output, and when I tested it with a single speaker it wasn't that loud.  I am going to try and wire in one of those amps I linked to above, but not sure where to start, so I am going to speak to my physics teacher. 

If you can tell us the make & model, we may be able to help. Probably a wiring diagram somewhere.

r_chez_08 said

It has a 7 pin din plug. Has anyone got any ideas how to wire this into a 3.5mm jack? 

Your best bet is one of these:

http://www.youngtimerradio-shop.de/epages/61037185.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61037185/Products/6449_02

the 7 pin DIN plug was for originally for an external device like an 8 track player, so it has the ability to switch inputs betweeen radio and source by shorting 2 of the pins. The thing in the link above has a 3.5mm input for your ipod and a switch to switch between radio and ipod - then you can keep your ipod out of the way either in the glovebox or in the under-dash tray and your radio looks completely standard (because it is)!

google translation says: Stereo adapter with switch € 24.90 Prices include VAT, plus delivery
Stereo adapter with switch for stereo car radio with 7 or 8-pin DIN connector. The switching between radio and MP3 done by a switch. Cable length 1m. Incl. 1xStereo cable 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm jack plug Note: Will not work on CD changer sockets! Item number 6449_02.

the site also sells the little plugs for plugging speaker cables in to the radio if you need some.

Hope this helps - just need to find the 25 Euro now….

the black/red may be accessory live?

Thanks for the replies
Mike- Good to know that something is made. I'll have this as a last resort, but I am going to try and make something up. Thanks.
Jonny- Accessory live? Like ignition live or something, to turn it off when you turn off the key?
Here are some pics:





I cracked it open, to find lots of components :/ I truly think I would mess something up should I try and install a different amp in there. Instead, I have a new idea!
One of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speaker-Converter-High-Line-Level/dp/B004UA753G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360094249&sr=1-1
and then connect it to some of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Female-Phono-Sockets-Splitter-electrosmart%C2%AE/dp/B0051F8JM0/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360094348&sr=1-2
To create a 5 channel output- LF, LR, RF, RR, and Sub.

Plug the speakers into a 4 channel amp, 4x50w rms is the maximum I need, 4x40w rms should be OK. I preferably would like it to be adjustable so rears can be for fill.

Then plug the phonos for the sub into a small underseat sub or something.



What do you reccon?

Fair enough-good luck with it. Far more fun to build something yourself and there are guides out there for building your own DIN connector e.g.

TheSamba.com :: Accessories/Memorabilia/Toys - View topic - Step by Step Guide To Making Din to iPod connection

Nice little project. Keep us updated!

After I'd stood on my head I realised that it would probably work  ,  you might pick up a bit of distortion from the number on mismatched elements, having said that, it would be possible to put a dual gang log 1k potentiometer in the inputs for the rear speakers at the 4 channel amplifier.
Here is a quick sketch wiring diagram, click on the thumbnail if there is just a grey box, click on it.

Cheers Jon, the dual potentiometer sound like a good idea, should my whole plan go ahead. I am trying to find a suitable amplifier board now. The one I linked to above doesn't seem quite up for it. 

yeah sorry ignition live just a guess though!

Thanks. Ill try connecting it to one of the ignition spades in the fuse box. I have found a wiring diagram for the 7 din plug, so ill make up a cable. I can post it up here if anyone wants it.

Traced some wires, and found where the two channels enter the amplifier board.could I plug these straight into an automotive speaker amp, or would I be better off using a line out converter? cheers  

I'm going to have to stop reading this thread, it's making my head hurt.