The "CD43 Face on a JVC HU" Thread - Work in Progress

[BeirBrennerE30]

I am VERY interested.... This thing kicks total ass. If there could be sirius and ipod integration to receiver and have it display correctly my head would explode.

[bmwman91]

Yeah, so the "issues" with making one to sell are that...

- I would need to sell a fair number of them to keep production costs low enough that people would WANT to buy them
- Who knows how many people want this JVC HU in their car...although, since they presumably already have the CD43, the RCA outs & various other features are still a step up (this HU only has 4 RCA outs, front & sub). I might try to modify the conversion to work with the AHD69 since it is basically the same thing, but with 6 RCA outs. That might be unnecessary though...CD43 users either power speakers from it, or already have all the external crossovers & amps set up for line-level outputs.
- USB is going to be a pain. There are a few components on the faceplate related to USB, and I would need to duplicate this circuit on my adapter.
- BT or XM radio will also take some work. I will need to buy the BT or XM adapter & work out a couple things in the interface. I won't bother unless others want to buy this because I have no plan to use that myself & they would be a waste of $ for me.

I can try to get those things working though. The most basic form would be stripped of USB input, aux stereo jack input, BT & XM input. I will most likely work to put in the aux input, at the least. Even without USB and BT/XM, it would still be a step up from the CD43 (CD text, track time, HD radio, proper AM/FM reception, MP3/WMA CD support, backlight control, volume level display, RCA outs).

I am also planning on putting in independent key/LCD backlight brightness controls, and input from the dash dimmer that will work with the user settings.

[Schnitzer318is]

If you do it with the JVC (KDR900?) with at least USB/Ipod I am interested as well. Can deal without BT, and minijack input, but not USB as I hate making CD's anymore with the fire of a thousand suns.

[EndreM]

Yeah, USB is a must-have for me.

[bmwman91]

Brief update...

I have been working on physically fitting it all together. Much to my dismay, the CD loading slots are in very different positions. Without modifying the HDR60, it would stick out ~9mm past the right edge of the faceplate. I haven't measured yet, but it looks like I have maybe 5mm to work with before hitting the OBC, probably more like 4mm. The only thing I can do is to move the CD transport assembly as far to the right as possible inside the HDR60 chassis, but I only get about 5mm before I hit the radio module. On top of that, there are some capacitors that are in my way, and the board-board interconnect will need to be modded. Maybe I should have measured FIRST lol. Worst-case, I just find someone with sheet metal tools & make a chassis!

[blalor]

Heh. Had the same thing happen with my MINI CD53. Electronics almost done, then "ooooh, that's not gonna fit." I'm impressed with your work so far, tho!

[J3M93]

any updates on this thing?, it's a really cool project!!

[bmwman91]

Sorry, I have been busy. This is on hold for the moment. It isn't something that would likely ever be a sellable product (low demand = low volume = more $ than anyone would be willing to pay = vicious circle back to "low demand"). I do want to finish it just for my own sake though, and then if there is interest I'd consider a kit.

Anyway, I have been busy with my job and working on another, much more in-demand E30 electronic device. Eventually it will get mentioned in r3v, but the automotive aftermarket is a very competitive place so it'll remain without details until it is ready! I also want to avoid advertising for now since I am not a forum sponsor. All I will say is that it involves a MAF sensor. I've been running one for many years, and I finally have the time & expertise to build something worth selling that anyone can install & use for a lot less than a new/rebuilt AFM. That's all I have to say about THAT.

[airkhin]

^^ im excited as hell. i always keep checking back on this thread to see if any updates. if a kit ever does come about i'd deff be interested... ;)

[bmwman91]

Thanks! It is a pretty fun project, and I am sort of itching to work on it again. Once my "other" E30 electronic gizmo is out, I'll return to this.

[peter08]

I have been working on physically fitting it all together. Much to my dismay, the CD loading slots are in very different positions. Without modifying the HDR60, it would stick out ~9mm past the right edge of the faceplate. I haven't measured yet, but it looks like I have maybe 5mm to work with before hitting the OBC, probably more like 4mm. The only thing I can do is to move the CD transport assembly as far to the right as possible inside the HDR60 chassis, but I only get about 5mm before I hit the radio module. On top of that, there are some capacitors that are in my way, and the board-board interconnect will need to be modded. Maybe I should have measured FIRST lol. Worst-case, I just find someone with sheet metal tools & make a chassis!

[bmwman91]

I wish it was that simple. The layout of the PCB is the real show-stopper here. Even with a new chassis, I would need to relocate the motherboard-CD transport interconnect. There are also a few inconveniently placed electrolytic capacitors (the big can-type ones) that will make moving the CD transport difficult.

It is OK though, these things are what make projects...PROJECTS!

[bmwman91]

Well, it has been a long time since I worked on this project (haven't touched it since my last post). I am finishing up moving the CD transport unit 10mm to the right so that it will align with the CD43 faceplate.

- This required some pretty heavy rework of the board-board interconnect between the CDT & motherboard. I "floated" it over some of the existing pads & components with a base made from Kapton tape and it is super-glued in place. The connections were rebuilt using 30ga wire. This allows me to disassemble the unit when needed, using the stock interconnects.

- The chassis had new mount holes for the CDT unit drilled at a 10mm offset, and for the moment I am stacking washers to replace the stamped bosses.

- The HD Radio module on the motherboard had to be moved as far as possible, and I needed to press out some of the stamped screw bosses in the chassis to give it room. The HDR module had its soldered SIP header flipped to the opposing side of its little board to buy me an extra 7mm.

- A 47uF electrolytic capacitor is in the way of a capacitor on the CDT unit. I am going to replace it with a large, but shorter chip capacitor, or maybe just another electrolytic with long leads so I can move it out of the way. My only concern with the long leads is noise getting onto a 3.3V rail from high frequency parts nearby, but I am probably just being anal retentive.

The next order of business will be to find a really crude & simple way to mount the CD43 faceplate to the HU so I can make darn sure that discs won't be scratched inserting/ejecting them. Once I make sure that it all physically works, I will start the true challenge...the controls to translate display data & voltage levels for button presses. So, I am excited to be moving along with this again.

I will try to get some pictures up tomorrow.

[bernzpeed]

photos at least? i've been wanting a cd43 to make my dash look stock. so if this thing works out, i might be interested.

[dogsbark26]

You and me both bernzpeed.

bmwman91 I am forever amazed by your inventiveness and perseverance. I feel that Woot Woot is a vast understatement.

I'm still trying to get the CD43 affixed in my dash so it doesn't slide out when I drive.