aCiD, glad you could join us. You seem to have started something here.

I like the cool factor of the relay, but the simplicity of a dpdt switch is hard to resist. I haven't decided which way to go yet. I am curious though, about the feed from the IPod. Is that the same as the headphone output? If so, I assume you could plug any MP3 player into the jack. That would certianly add flexibility.

I have a similar cassette stereo from a '93 APV that I plan to experiment on so I don't toast the Bonneville stereo.

Well honestly, initially is wasn't for cool factor at all, it was to prevent introducing any noise into the system. Since when the stereo is opened up, it'* very noise sensitive, and I didn't want to have to deal with super anal shielding of wires and grounding the shields, etc.

Once I'd installed it, then the cool factor became apparent

Yes, it'* headphone level input, just on iPod, the line out which comes from the dock connector is NOT defendant on the headphone output volume the iPod is set to, it'* a constant level output.

Which if you look at my install, is why it'* wired with a removable male minijack connector, so I can hook up anything I want, I hooked up my laptop and watched some DVDs, it was pretty intense with the subs.

aCiD, would your set up be exactly the same procedure for the stock CD stereo in a 95 SSEi? See picture below, I appologise for the picture quality, the battery was going dead in the camera.

Yep, with a 95% certainty.

I did this mod too last winter on my 93 so i bet it will work on any cd player/tapedeck.

Phil- do you ever to cassette tapes? If not, you don't even need a switch or relay. I'm about to do this mod to my brother'* S10'* cassette deck and we're leaving the cassette deck permanently disconnected so the Ipod input is always on. (except when you listen to the radio) Remember the relay is only necessary for switching between cd/cassette and ipod.

Also true, this is something I always forget to mention, since I share the car with my mother, and she uses CDs all the time, it just wasn't an option to completely disable CDs for me.

aCiD, the parts list to do this mod, can it be purchased locally from Radio Shack....heck what are they called now? Where about'* in Milton are you?

Well this time of year, I'm in Kingston at school, I won't be home for a week, then I'm going to be busy buying a car and starting my new job.

As for parts, this would work, but would be difficult to solder wires to: http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Pr...roduct=2750249

I bought my relay direct from Omron since I knew someone there, the next best source is digikey.com for electronics parts.

The iPod interface cable I'm sure can be purchased locally, I just don't know where would be best! I buy most of my stuff online :P

Some good points are being made here. I think I will go with the dpdt switch but keep the wires as short as possible to minimize the risk of noise. Sheilding should help. I like the idea of just killing the cassette player. After all, it IS only a cassette player, but I just hate having things in the car that don't work.

This was a big deal to me too, I didn't want to have to explain to people how you couldn't use the CD player anymore in order to use the pod.

It'* all about adding functionality, not shifting it.