Hey guys,
I'm trying to hardwire my iPod into my Sony h/u:



The back of it looks like:



And this is what I'm trying to wire:



Before anyone gets too crazy, yes, I know you just plug the RCA inputs into the "Aux in"...I know that much However, I've never hardwired anything at all, even a radar detector. I know that you can attach it in the fuse box, but I'm wondering if there's something else that I can use that would be in the stereo compartment area. What this set of wires will allow me to do is charge my iPod while it's plugged in (which I'm modifying my Nav area to mount it vertically). I want to hook it up so that it only charges while the car is on, not all the time...so I guess that's a "switchable circuit". Do any of these wires look like something that I can cut and splice? Is there something else back there that would work?

Thanks so much.

Derek

 

Derek,,,I am not sure what year of your Z,,,but you can tap into the cig lighter on the pass side....I know some year Z's dont have a lighter there...It is only powered when the switch in turned on. I used it to hardwire my radar detector....I hope this helps....

 

I've got an '03 (technically an '02 ). The cig lighter is in the rear. I'd much rather tap into that and splice the wire than touch anything in the H/U.

 

Dr.Z,,,yes I agree. I would tap into whichever Cig lighter you have. Also, you can use the 3M wire splicer,,,the red one's. that makes tapping the cig wires a lot easier with better connection. Good luck,,

 

I thought about doing this too with my FM transmitter that charges the Ipod. Does anyone know if you can take the thing that plugs in to the cigarette lighter apart and hard wire that part of it?

 

Sorry to go off topic, but how do you like that Sony HU? I've been looking at double-din units, and came across this one, but I was unsure of how I would like it. What are your impressions?

 

Turbotrey, if you have the cig lighter on pass side of car,,,just reach under the dash and unplug the lighter,,,then use the red 3m wire splice clips and connect there,,,the rear cig lighter, just pops out,,then the wires will be exposed and you can tap them there with the same red 3m splice clips.

 

its easier to tap the IGN wire on the radio for +12 when key is in on position. Its the red wire on the radio harness. Just verify it in the car with a multimeter, or a ligth bulb, or circuit tester etc.

 

1. I love the H/U...obviously, I got it for the looks and nothing else. Sony is a nice brand...flashy, and good if it doesn't break. I bought it used 1 year ago, and so far, no problems. A few other people have it and I haven't heard of any catastrophes yet. It'll skip on a cold day over a big bump, but nothing else.

2. Thanks for the heads up on the splicers. I'll stop by Radio Shack and pick some up today. I still think I'd rather chance messing around with the cig lighter than the H/U, if my wire's long enough. I never use it, so who cares if I break it. The voltage running throughout the car should be the same regardless of what I tap into, right? I'd hate to do all of this and fry my iPod. Again, I've never used the cig lighter for anything...it does turn off when the car is off, right?

Thanks guys.

Derek

 

Using the +12 volt IGN wire on the radio harness will not ruin, break or be bad for your car if you need it to run just the modulator. How do i know this? Ive been in car audio for over 5 years, Im a third year electrical engineering student, and using the +12 IGN wire for modulators like yours is standard practice. But if you still want to use your cig lighter by all means.

 

yes! you should be safe with the cig lighter! stick to that! i cant honestly say everything runs at the same voltage...but stick with cig lighter and let us know how you like it....

- j

 

LOL you cant tell us the volage the cig lighter outputs, nor the wiring amper capacity yet you advise for him to use it. LOL

 

So the red wire among that mass of other wires...check. Then I'll just ground the other on some other stable metal part of the car. That will certainly be a lot easier than trying to run the wire further to the cig lighter. I'll post pics when I get this thing all mounted and pretty in the Nav cubby. Thanks so much guys!

Derek