To Do Tomorrow:
· Order Elenco XP-720K power supply kit.
· Order additional soldering iron tips (very fine cone, or something similar, different from what comes with Weller WES51 (ETA). Person at the place I ordered things from happily added to the order.
· Look for a good deal on a scope (maybe 50mhz or so) on eBay. Hopefully less than US$100. Currently bidding…
Hey everyone… I’m trying to find some place to get something printed at, but I’m really not sure where to start looking.
First off, I’m looking to have a set of overlays printed for the x0xb0x I hope to make soon. My idea for this overlay is to have something similar to an arcade game control panel overlay, which is similar to the heavy plastic adhesive ads stuck to the floor of some grocery stores.
My understanding is that these are typically printed on the back of a piece of plastic, and then the adhesive is applied to the back. Or, it is printed on adhesive vinyl then the textured plastic is applied to the top of that.
So, this brings about the question of where one would get something like this printed.
I’m thinking that I’ll first try the sign printing place in downtown Utica, as one of the services they advertise is custom printed car wraps, and this isn’t too different. But, do any of you know some place to get this made up?
Thanks!
Well, my preorder for an x0xb0x has come up. I just wonder if I should buy one… US$315, although being a really nice TB-303 clone it’s likely worth a lot more once completed.
Hmm… Should I? What do you all think?
Yes! My article is finally being published!
iSight Tripod Mount: http://makezine.com/05/diy_tripod/
Just FYI, I have just posted Update #5 to my Honda Music Link iPod Adapter Review. It contains ramblings about what I want to do with the PIC programmer and some asm skill which I don’t have yet along with a link to the photo of the new iPod in the car which I posted yesterday.
Now, I go home. Or to my parents house. Or something.
Woo! It appears that pins on the .100″ header in the Honda Music Link board connect to PGC (Programming Clock) and PGD (Programming Data) on the PIC. This is good.
Well, I just ordered a PICkit 2 Starter Kit. Hopefully using this I’ll be able to learn more about programming PICs, hopefully resulting in re-programming the PIC16F876A in the Honda Music Link Interface Box. With any luck, I’ll be able to build a proper interface between an iPod and the CD changer port on Honda head units and offer the firmware up for download for others to use. Maybe I could also charge $20 or $30 or so to re-flash other people’s Honda Music Link Interface Boxes as well, making the device work differently and better. That’s a goal, at least. :)
Oh, this morning there were also some especially nice things to look at on the way to work… As I left before sunrise, there was a wonderful sliver of brightly lit moon visible, with a whole bunch of earthshine on the dark part. Plenty of planets hanging out in the sky, as well, happily reflecting sunlight and looking pretty to everyone on Earth.
Also, as the sun started coming up, I was actually able to see a golden glow on the Chrysler building in Auburn Hills, visible from five or eight miles away. Quite impressive.
One other thing… The new iPod is so thin that with my headphones plugged in, it doesn’t set flat on my desk. I don’t know if this is good or not. :\ It’s also so thin that it’s a bit difficult to plug in the dock connector in the car. Maybe I just need to get used to it.
So I’m sitting here with a disassembled Honda Music Link interface box (P/N 08A28-1H1-1000-01) on the workbench. It appears that the PCB inside is double layer, so I don’t think I’ll have too much of a problem making a schematic from it.
Now I just need to find some good software for making schematics… I used to poke around with Eagle, but I haven’t used that in quite a while.
Well the white iPod stands out a bit in the all grey and black center console, that doesn’t stop it from working.
Yes, it’s done. Completely done.
That is, the iPod adapter I’ve been working on for a good part of the last week and a half or so has finally been completed. Designed as a replacement for the Honda Music Link which gave me so much trouble (photos here (photo gallery retired)) it does exactly what I want and works exactly as designed. It firmly holds the iPod in place, plays audio through the factory Aux In, is within arm’s reach of the driver, and keeps the display in sight at all times.
As was proven with the iPod setup in my previous vehicle, such a setup works very well. I had originally intended to make such an adapter right after I originally accepted delivery of my 2006 Honda Civic EX (photo gallery retired), I was convinced to wait for a factory adapter, the Honda Music Link, by the promises made in this press release. Most people who read this journal know how that ended up going, although I guess the events surrounding it made it much easier for me to make the adapter. With one person providing me some nice technical detail about the pinout in 2006 Civics, people to bounce ideas off, and just with it regularly being on my mind, things seemed to work out pretty good.
That all said, here’s a few notable photos from both last night and today’s work:
· The base of the iPod holder bolted into the trim piece from the center console.
· The underside of the PCB, just before I closed up the box.
· All the parts in the interface box, just before I screwed it closed.
· Goop applied to the interface box and padding foam.
· Clamping down the interface box to the workbench to help the adhesive on the foam set.
· The finished kit, ready to be fit into the console and dash of the vehicle.
· The interface box strapped to a pipe inside the console.
· The holder and stand match the vehicle’s interior quite nicely.
· Larger view of the photo above, showing how the iPod fits amongst other parts in the console.
Of course, all the photos from this project are available here: iPod in 2006 Honda Civic (EX w/Navigation) » Second Version (Built-In) (photo gallery retired)
The only thing left to do is get my current white 40GB iPod Photo replaced under AppleCare (it has the problem detailed in these two H.264 videos: 1 – 2) and purchase a 30GB 5th Generation iPod Color in black. Then everything will match nicely… Oh, I’ll be selling the iPod, so you’ll likely see an ad here for it, if someone doesn’t pick it up first.
Now, to clean up my workbench and the table near by. Well, maybe I’ll do that tomorrow… Instead I’ll write another LJ post. Or something.
