grusomhat
31st January 2010, 10:29
Well at this stage it's about $75 worth :) Anyway, here's a quick guide to setting up a cheap bluetooth system on your bike for music/radar detector/possibly cellphone. This guide is pretty vague and I wrote it in a hurry so it's shockingly written. It should work with most helmets but check out yours first.
First thing you need to buy is a bluetooth transmitter and bluetooth headset both available from DealExtreme:
Transmitter: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8889
Headset: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29546
Postage from dealextreme is free but expect for it to take upwards of 3 weeks.
The transmitter is very compact and connects to any device with a 3.5mm heaphone jack. Using a double plug you can listen to music while using a radar detector (my plan).
The headset is also nice and compact but not enough so you have to remove the plastic casing.
A warning before pulling it apart though. The speakers inside have a VERY thin plastic membrane(?) and it is crucial that you don't touch it with anything otherwise it dents and makes the sound horrible (There is a fix though, just). The other warning is more obvious. The wires inside these are TINY and will snap very easily. The less handling/bending/flexing the better so be careful when moving things.
The headsets unscrew and clip apart quite easily although the back can be difficult to unplug. Unscrew the circuit boards and removing it all from the casing to be left with this:
193291
Next we need to remove the steel balls that are on the cord between the headset. The cord unplugs from both earpieces, use something small and flat to unplug it. I then ground the last ball off and the other just popped off.
193295
Now's a good time to protect those speakers so cover them back up with the plastic piece that unsrewed off the front of them and tape it on with a small strip of duct tape (don't block any holes on the front) and then put the foam back over.
193304
Now we need to add a switch for turning the headset on/off. The switch is just a simple momentary switch. You can find one at DSE or use one from an old computer. This needs to be soldered on to the sides of the current switch. Work out how long the wire needs to be first!
193304
^^Bottom left - blue and white wires^^
Now with the cord you unplugged before, place it behind your liner and bring each end out near where you want your earpieces. Plugin both circuit boards and position them behind the liner and position the speaker behind where your ear would be. Double sided tape works well for holding things in place. Run your switch to where you want it and you are pretty much done.
193290 193293
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1580/p1310143.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5425/p1310144.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1283/p1310150.jpg
The transmitter can run on batteries so you can plug it into and ipod/mp3 player in your pocket.
193302
The headset needs some further refinement, you may have noticed a lack of charging plug. I'm going to extend it down to near the switch once I find a plug. There are also other features that have been missed such as the microphone and volume buttons. Full volume works well, everything has its own controls anyway. I may bring the mic down if I ever get a phone with bluetooth (the power switch works for answering the phone and it mutes everything else) however you would probably still have to pull over to use it.
For the transmitter I plan on mounting it under the seat with a 5v regulator and a relay. Will need to bring the switch on it up near the handlebars probably.
As at this stage I haven't tested if it's loud enough as it's currently raining. Thought I would write this while I wait.
Enjoy. Let me know if anyone else attempts this. I would suggest buying a bluetooth receiver adapter instead of the headset though. That would allow you to use any headphones and you can mount the receiver at the base of your helmet/in your jacket.
First thing you need to buy is a bluetooth transmitter and bluetooth headset both available from DealExtreme:
Transmitter: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8889
Headset: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.29546
Postage from dealextreme is free but expect for it to take upwards of 3 weeks.
The transmitter is very compact and connects to any device with a 3.5mm heaphone jack. Using a double plug you can listen to music while using a radar detector (my plan).
The headset is also nice and compact but not enough so you have to remove the plastic casing.
A warning before pulling it apart though. The speakers inside have a VERY thin plastic membrane(?) and it is crucial that you don't touch it with anything otherwise it dents and makes the sound horrible (There is a fix though, just). The other warning is more obvious. The wires inside these are TINY and will snap very easily. The less handling/bending/flexing the better so be careful when moving things.
The headsets unscrew and clip apart quite easily although the back can be difficult to unplug. Unscrew the circuit boards and removing it all from the casing to be left with this:
193291
Next we need to remove the steel balls that are on the cord between the headset. The cord unplugs from both earpieces, use something small and flat to unplug it. I then ground the last ball off and the other just popped off.
193295
Now's a good time to protect those speakers so cover them back up with the plastic piece that unsrewed off the front of them and tape it on with a small strip of duct tape (don't block any holes on the front) and then put the foam back over.
193304
Now we need to add a switch for turning the headset on/off. The switch is just a simple momentary switch. You can find one at DSE or use one from an old computer. This needs to be soldered on to the sides of the current switch. Work out how long the wire needs to be first!
193304
^^Bottom left - blue and white wires^^
Now with the cord you unplugged before, place it behind your liner and bring each end out near where you want your earpieces. Plugin both circuit boards and position them behind the liner and position the speaker behind where your ear would be. Double sided tape works well for holding things in place. Run your switch to where you want it and you are pretty much done.
193290 193293
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1580/p1310143.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5425/p1310144.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1283/p1310150.jpg
The transmitter can run on batteries so you can plug it into and ipod/mp3 player in your pocket.
193302
The headset needs some further refinement, you may have noticed a lack of charging plug. I'm going to extend it down to near the switch once I find a plug. There are also other features that have been missed such as the microphone and volume buttons. Full volume works well, everything has its own controls anyway. I may bring the mic down if I ever get a phone with bluetooth (the power switch works for answering the phone and it mutes everything else) however you would probably still have to pull over to use it.
For the transmitter I plan on mounting it under the seat with a 5v regulator and a relay. Will need to bring the switch on it up near the handlebars probably.
As at this stage I haven't tested if it's loud enough as it's currently raining. Thought I would write this while I wait.
Enjoy. Let me know if anyone else attempts this. I would suggest buying a bluetooth receiver adapter instead of the headset though. That would allow you to use any headphones and you can mount the receiver at the base of your helmet/in your jacket.