IPOD TOUCH SOUND STATION
An ipod touch charger dock and sound station.
The Basics
I took materials from around my house to make this project.
I took the idea from another instructable in here, but i modified it to fit my needs.
I used a car amplifier, a computer atx power supply, an ipod base, an ipod usb cable, various pieces of wood to make the housing, fabrics, 2 150k resistir, cable, 6 speakers, soldering kit, hot glue and black paint.
I took the idea from another instructable in here, but i modified it to fit my needs.
I used a car amplifier, a computer atx power supply, an ipod base, an ipod usb cable, various pieces of wood to make the housing, fabrics, 2 150k resistir, cable, 6 speakers, soldering kit, hot glue and black paint.
Connecting the Usb, the Amp and the Power Supply
You have to make active your power supply, it depends on the one yoou will mod, just google it to get the instructions, in mine you have to connect a gray cable to ground.
The yellow cables are 12v (this one you connect to the amp), red cables 5v (this one go to the ipod usb), black cables (ground) and other like orange, purple (wont use them).
I took a usb male connector, put on it 5v - red cable - 150k resistor - 150k resistor - ground
As you can see in the pictures it doesnt fit well so i cutted a piece of hard paper (bussiness card) so it could fit an make contact.
Afterwards i realized that it doesnt charged the ipod touch, as a serendipity i found that it needed to make ground with the ipod usb plate, so i took a gound cable from the power supply and pasted it there to make ground. after all is made i applied hot glue.
The yellow cables are 12v (this one you connect to the amp), red cables 5v (this one go to the ipod usb), black cables (ground) and other like orange, purple (wont use them).
I took a usb male connector, put on it 5v - red cable - 150k resistor - 150k resistor - ground
As you can see in the pictures it doesnt fit well so i cutted a piece of hard paper (bussiness card) so it could fit an make contact.
Afterwards i realized that it doesnt charged the ipod touch, as a serendipity i found that it needed to make ground with the ipod usb plate, so i took a gound cable from the power supply and pasted it there to make ground. after all is made i applied hot glue.
Adapting the Base for Ipod Touch
After you know that the usb base its working, you have to adapt the base.
I just took the base, plugged the ipod touch from the back and applied hot glue.
Next step its to drill a hole for the jack adaptor.
After checking all fits apply hot glue.
I just took the base, plugged the ipod touch from the back and applied hot glue.
Next step its to drill a hole for the jack adaptor.
After checking all fits apply hot glue.
Preparing the Housing
I took 6 old car speakers and made a housing with wood.
Make the speaker holes, i used an electric saw but you can use what ever youre used to, use the machines with caution.
I made the housing as a regular square boom box, it depends on you ability in carpentry.
When everything is done, you have to paint.
I like to drill holes to attach the speakers and the amp with plastic strips. I think its easier and cleaner.
After you have the housing cutted and painted, apply a fabric to protect the speakers from dust.
Make the speaker holes, i used an electric saw but you can use what ever youre used to, use the machines with caution.
I made the housing as a regular square boom box, it depends on you ability in carpentry.
When everything is done, you have to paint.
I like to drill holes to attach the speakers and the amp with plastic strips. I think its easier and cleaner.
After you have the housing cutted and painted, apply a fabric to protect the speakers from dust.
Installing All In.
Install all in and close the boom box, i like to use screws so its easier to disarm in case needed.
In the top near the ipod base i installed a regular I/O switch that takes the ground needed to activate the power supply. I installed two volume controlers that come from the ipod jack to a potentiometer, then to the amp (you have to apply the volume control previos the amplification otherwise they will blow up.
In the back i drilled 2 holes, one for the ac power supply cable and another to make a bass effect (this was a recomendation from a friend and believe me, works)
In the top near the ipod base i installed a regular I/O switch that takes the ground needed to activate the power supply. I installed two volume controlers that come from the ipod jack to a potentiometer, then to the amp (you have to apply the volume control previos the amplification otherwise they will blow up.
In the back i drilled 2 holes, one for the ac power supply cable and another to make a bass effect (this was a recomendation from a friend and believe me, works)
Enjoy Your New (cheap) Ipod Touch Sound Station
I say its cheap because i recycled stuff that was around my house, but still if you buy the pieces would be cheaper than if you buy it in a regular store.
-Be careful when doing the electric connections, even little volts can kill somebody-
The sound its great and the size is not a problem.
I think you can make it even in a box if you reinfoce it (i will try to do it and post it)
Another thing i notice its that making a retractible jack would be a good idea to fit other mp3 player other than ipod touch).
I hope this works for you as worked for me.
-Be careful when doing the electric connections, even little volts can kill somebody-
The sound its great and the size is not a problem.
I think you can make it even in a box if you reinfoce it (i will try to do it and post it)
Another thing i notice its that making a retractible jack would be a good idea to fit other mp3 player other than ipod touch).
I hope this works for you as worked for me.