Advice building bluetooth suitcase speaker for classic
Discussion
I want to build a wireless Bluetooth or USB enabled suitcase speaker/boom box. That will sit on the back seat of an old Alfa, to provide tunes on longer journeys.
I've plenty of of old suitcases.
Got a set of 6x9 infinitys in the garage.
I'd like to have maybe 2 options on power, a cigarette lighter socket, to run from the cigarette light in the ca to power it. And maybe a small motorbike 12v battery in the suitcase to run it solo, if removed from the car.
The bit I'm stuck on is the sound / wifi kit.
I want to run this at minimum via bluetooth from the tunes and podcasts on my phone. And use the phone as the controller.
And if possible have a USB port to plug a harddive in......... But I'm thinking the control of this will be hard.
What pieces of kit can people recommend for the wifi and sound/amp side of life ?
I'm thinking a 12vdc Tripath amplifier with USB input for a Bluetooth dongle.............
I saw a guy at a classic car show that had done this, until now I had only seen people use suitcases to house the speakers only, with standard head units in the car.........not with Bluetooth.
I've plenty of of old suitcases.
Got a set of 6x9 infinitys in the garage.
I'd like to have maybe 2 options on power, a cigarette lighter socket, to run from the cigarette light in the ca to power it. And maybe a small motorbike 12v battery in the suitcase to run it solo, if removed from the car.
The bit I'm stuck on is the sound / wifi kit.
I want to run this at minimum via bluetooth from the tunes and podcasts on my phone. And use the phone as the controller.
And if possible have a USB port to plug a harddive in......... But I'm thinking the control of this will be hard.
What pieces of kit can people recommend for the wifi and sound/amp side of life ?
I'm thinking a 12vdc Tripath amplifier with USB input for a Bluetooth dongle.............
I saw a guy at a classic car show that had done this, until now I had only seen people use suitcases to house the speakers only, with standard head units in the car.........not with Bluetooth.
The noise inside my race/road car was, I knew, excessive.
I was able to measure it recently - 105 decibels! At 60 with the throttles open.
A noise louder than 95dB will damage your hearing if sustained.
So my policy of wearing ear defenders if I'm not wearing a helmet (as rally crews do) was wise, and if I'm going a long way, an MP3 player with small, in-ear 'phones gets me music. I suspect that Plod would not like a pair of actual headphones, as they would prevent me "being aware or the noise of other vehicles", which I can't hear anyway, the car is so loud inside!
Open cars are as noisy, but more subtle. Air turbulence around your head is much noisier than you would think, and bikers go deaf because of it. See: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/hel...
A boom-box in the back that you can hear may need to be so loud that your neighbours will not like you!
John
I was able to measure it recently - 105 decibels! At 60 with the throttles open.
A noise louder than 95dB will damage your hearing if sustained.
So my policy of wearing ear defenders if I'm not wearing a helmet (as rally crews do) was wise, and if I'm going a long way, an MP3 player with small, in-ear 'phones gets me music. I suspect that Plod would not like a pair of actual headphones, as they would prevent me "being aware or the noise of other vehicles", which I can't hear anyway, the car is so loud inside!
Open cars are as noisy, but more subtle. Air turbulence around your head is much noisier than you would think, and bikers go deaf because of it. See: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/hel...
A boom-box in the back that you can hear may need to be so loud that your neighbours will not like you!
John
Have a hunt on eBay for a 'wireless bluetooth receiver' - you should be able to pick one up for about a tenner. This should give you a 3.5mm audio out - search again for '12v audio amp' - similar price. The bluetooth receivers are often 5v - search for '12v usb adaptor'.
You can do the whole thing quite cheaply if you want!
You can do the whole thing quite cheaply if you want!
this is a great idea, can i just ask why bluetooth?
I assume you want to stream from a phone?
I would be looking at speakers, tripath amp - 12v model - usually these have 3.5mm input and just connect that to a phone/mp3 player
search ebay for t amp and you will get a general idea. the benefit of these little amps is they run very cool and use hardly any power whilst still providing decent sound.
The other thing to think about is bracing the suitcase with some MDF or ply.
hope that helps,
Keep us updated!
I assume you want to stream from a phone?
I would be looking at speakers, tripath amp - 12v model - usually these have 3.5mm input and just connect that to a phone/mp3 player
search ebay for t amp and you will get a general idea. the benefit of these little amps is they run very cool and use hardly any power whilst still providing decent sound.
The other thing to think about is bracing the suitcase with some MDF or ply.
hope that helps,
Keep us updated!
redchina said:
100 points for thinking of this, great wee project 
(How can I adapt for a two seater Healey with no radio?!)
I bought a Bose soundlink mobile speaker, which is linked to my I phone through Bluetooth, to use in my Healey. I fixed it behind the speaker grill (no speaker fitted ) in my BJ8. It seems very noisy out of the car but is only just audible at 70odd mph with the top down. It's great at lower speeds on country lanes and can be easily controlled from the 'phone. It has a built in battery that lasts for eight hours. We used it all the way back from Le Mans on French minor roads, worked a treat. (How can I adapt for a two seater Healey with no radio?!)
These look interesting and could be just what you need for this project!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360707042286?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360707042286?ssPageName=...
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