Hidden iPod Install - LotusTalk

Balance · 11-19-2005, 04:35 PM

This is a simple variant of blondie's iPod install.

I picked up the new 60GB iPod with video and the Blaupunkt iPod Adapter. I was looking to do a similar install as blondie, but I wanted the iPod to be hidden yet easily accessible. I found that the small shelf behind the start button and blank passenger side panels held the iPod perfectly. With the cover on the passenger side being just a piece of plastic with no wires or buttons attached, I decided to store the iPod on that side as it makes for less intrusive and more convenient repetitive access.

Following and adapting blondie's instructions, I pulled the head unit out, removed the passenger side panel, and fished the cable from the head unit opening to the passenger side. I then peeled off the existing foam strip on the bottom of the panel by the screw holes and adhered a strip of velcro in it's place.

Balance · 11-19-2005, 04:36 PM

Next I adhered the mating strip of velcro to the corresponding area along the top of the inside of the cubby hole.

Balance · 11-19-2005, 04:37 PM

Here is how the iPod sits on the shelf behind the panel. The 60GB iPod with video is a perfect fit and, with the way the cable applies a slight pressure pushing the iPod up against the right side, it does not slide around. Also, the protective sleeve that ships with the new iPods works well in protecting the iPod from scratches while providing additional friction to further prevent movement on the shelf.

Balance · 11-19-2005, 04:38 PM

With velcro as a fastener instead of screws, the panel can now be both removed and secured easily, making for a discreet yet conveniently accessible install that should greatly reduce the chance of theft and leave the cubby free for other uses.

mikester · 11-19-2005, 04:49 PM

Wow, great idea, I might go a similar route. (mine is currently on the small cubby next to the steering wheel).

Dave · 11-19-2005, 05:31 PM

Very clean install...nice work!

Serebo1 · 11-19-2005, 05:41 PM

Nice install - I'm sold.

I should be doing this any year now if *ahem* Patrick sends me my adaptor

blondie · 11-19-2005, 06:38 PM

This is fantastic! I might just have to do this one myself!

ET Rules!

-Sandy

Patricko · 11-20-2005, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Nice install - I'm sold.

I should be doing this any year now if *ahem* Patrick sends me my adaptor

All in good time...

mikester · 11-28-2005, 07:25 AM

I did this over the weekend, I think it's a great mod ! Added a little somethin' special as well...

Slag · 12-02-2005, 12:06 PM

I don't know much about the Ipod, but like this clean install.

One question - How does the Ipod's batteries stay charged? Does it somehow feed off the car's battery?

Thanks!

Balance · 12-02-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slag

I don't know much about the Ipod, but like this clean install.

One question - How does the Ipod's batteries stay charged? Does it somehow feed off the car's battery?

Thanks!

The Blaupunkt iPod Adapter charges the iPod. So in essence, yes, it feeds off the car's battery.

Slag · 12-02-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balance

The Blaupunkt iPod Adapter charges the iPod. So in essence, yes, it feeds off the car's battery.

Awesome, thank you kind sir!

Slag · 12-15-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balance

The Blaupunkt iPod Adapter charges the iPod. So in essence, yes, it feeds off the car's battery.

Just did the same exact install as yours last night. Was pretty easy & I am very happy with the results. Thanks for taking the time to post this!!

MethodX · 12-15-2005, 10:59 AM

Good job.

Q: how do you access playlists etc on the IPod?

DoctorJ · 12-15-2005, 11:24 AM

Up-Down arrows on the right hand control switches between playlists. There is no indication on the display (that I see) that tells you which playlist you are in so you need to remember which ones you have and their sequence.

blondie · 12-15-2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MethodX

Good job.

Q: how do you access playlists etc on the IPod?

There are details on that here:
http://www.quinndunki.com/lotus/ipod

To summarize, the first 9 playlists that it finds on your iPod (in alphabetical order) can be selected with the up/down arrows. Playlist #1 is a special one that plays all the songs on the iPod.

As alluded to in other posts, if you have the song name display on, you can't see which playlist you're in. That's somewhat annoying, but I usually leave it on #1 anyway. The Mix button works in any playlist, also. Alternatively, you can disable song name display, in which case you can see the playlist number and track number.

Sandy

MethodX · 12-15-2005, 12:05 PM

Nice. Now I get it......

Thanks peeps.

edit: Nice instructions Blondie! I like the remote add on too. You make it seem so easy that even I could do it.
Good job.

soulmn · 12-16-2005, 11:54 PM

I like the install. very nice. I still prefer to just leave it in the cubby though. I'm too lazy to constantly have to pull down the plastic piece to get to my pod.

soulman

scottyb · 12-17-2005, 05:35 AM

The problem with this install solution is that eventually the tabs on the top of the black pannel will snap off. Then you are stuck relying on the velcro to hold it up. If this happens you will notice that with every little bump the pannel will drop down more and more. Eventually it wall fall down.

I allready had that problem when I unintentionally snapped the tabs off of mine. The only true solution was to replace the pannel.

11-19-2005, 04:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Balance Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 256	Hidden iPod Install This is a simple variant of blondie's iPod install. I picked up the new 60GB iPod with video and the Blaupunkt iPod Adapter. I was looking to do a similar install as blondie, but I wanted the iPod to be hidden yet easily accessible. I found that the small shelf behind the start button and blank passenger side panels held the iPod perfectly. With the cover on the passenger side being just a piece of plastic with no wires or buttons attached, I decided to store the iPod on that side as it makes for less intrusive and more convenient repetitive access. Following and adapting blondie's instructions, I pulled the head unit out, removed the passenger side panel, and fished the cable from the head unit opening to the passenger side. I then peeled off the existing foam strip on the bottom of the panel by the screw holes and adhered a strip of velcro in it's place. Attached Images __________________ Why am I on Elisetalk when I could be driving my Elise? Last edited by Balance : 11-19-2005 at 05:51 PM.

11-19-2005, 04:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Balance Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 256	Next I adhered the mating strip of velcro to the corresponding area along the top of the inside of the cubby hole. Attached Images __________________ Why am I on Elisetalk when I could be driving my Elise? Last edited by Balance : 11-19-2005 at 05:06 PM.

11-19-2005, 04:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Balance Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 256	Here is how the iPod sits on the shelf behind the panel. The 60GB iPod with video is a perfect fit and, with the way the cable applies a slight pressure pushing the iPod up against the right side, it does not slide around. Also, the protective sleeve that ships with the new iPods works well in protecting the iPod from scratches while providing additional friction to further prevent movement on the shelf. Attached Images __________________ Why am I on Elisetalk when I could be driving my Elise? Last edited by Balance : 11-19-2005 at 07:12 PM.

11-19-2005, 04:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Balance Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 256	With velcro as a fastener instead of screws, the panel can now be both removed and secured easily, making for a discreet yet conveniently accessible install that should greatly reduce the chance of theft and leave the cubby free for other uses. Attached Images __________________ Why am I on Elisetalk when I could be driving my Elise? Last edited by Balance : 11-19-2005 at 07:53 PM.

11-19-2005, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
mikester Registered Shmoozer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 4,598	Wow, great idea, I might go a similar route. (mine is currently on the small cubby next to the steering wheel). __________________ Covered in Brandy and Lard

11-19-2005, 05:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dave OhioLotus.com Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,133	Very clean install...nice work! __________________ Discount Lotus OEM Parts: OhioLotus.com

11-19-2005, 05:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Serebo1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,862 Images: 4	Nice install - I'm sold. I should be doing this any year now if ahem Patrick sends me my adaptor __________________ Matte Black, Sport, Touring, ***** intake (TBA), RAC Mono wheels, Painted Shift knob, smoked turn signals, Alpine SPS 6.5" rear speakers, MB Quarts, JVC Nav, Starshield, LBH exhaust, Dpic perf. gauge, Custom true HID projectors, GUT wing and splitter, Mesh side pods, Sector111 harness bar and 4-point harness, Lotus Sport Ohlins double-adjustable suspension, swaybar, '06 LED tailights, Toda flywheel, Lotusport interior.

11-19-2005, 06:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
blondie Wicked Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: kali Posts: 724	This is fantastic! I might just have to do this one myself! ET Rules! -Sandy

11-28-2005, 07:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
mikester Registered Shmoozer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 4,598	I did this over the weekend, I think it's a great mod ! Added a little somethin' special as well... __________________ Covered in Brandy and Lard

12-02-2005, 12:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
Slag Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 310	I don't know much about the Ipod, but like this clean install. One question - How does the Ipod's batteries stay charged? Does it somehow feed off the car's battery? Thanks! __________________ 2005 Elise Green/Tan, Arqray Double Tip and Arqray Sport Cat, ITG Intake

12-15-2005, 10:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
MethodX All You Need is Love Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 769	Good job. Q: how do you access playlists etc on the IPod? __________________ Poor is the man who's pleasures depend on the permission of another.

12-15-2005, 11:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
DoctorJ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 68	Up-Down arrows on the right hand control switches between playlists. There is no indication on the display (that I see) that tells you which playlist you are in so you need to remember which ones you have and their sequence. __________________ 05 Laser Blue, biscuit interior, Sport Package, Touring Package, Starshield, LS/TC, Hard top, driving lights, hi/lo HID lights, heated seats, brushed aluminum stalks, micro mirror, LIDbone, Alpine IVA-D100 head unit, NVE-872A Nav, Focal Polyglass speakers, 8" sub, Alpine PDX-series amps

12-15-2005, 12:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
MethodX All You Need is Love Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 769	Nice. Now I get it...... Thanks peeps. edit: Nice instructions Blondie! I like the remote add on too. You make it seem so easy that even I could do it. Good job. __________________ Poor is the man who's pleasures depend on the permission of another. Last edited by MethodX : 12-15-2005 at 12:09 PM.

12-16-2005, 11:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
soulmn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 435	I like the install. very nice. I still prefer to just leave it in the cubby though. I'm too lazy to constantly have to pull down the plastic piece to get to my pod. soulman

12-17-2005, 05:35 AM	#20 (permalink)
scottyb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,707	The problem with this install solution is that eventually the tabs on the top of the black pannel will snap off. Then you are stuck relying on the velcro to hold it up. If this happens you will notice that with every little bump the pannel will drop down more and more. Eventually it wall fall down. I allready had that problem when I unintentionally snapped the tabs off of mine. The only true solution was to replace the pannel.

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