andyds2k

Hi All,

Ever since replacing my HU for a Kenwood I have been without Dash controls. Since the unit I bought had an OEM input for steering controls I thought that it would be simple to get the required interface information from Kenwood, build my interface and away you go. Not!!!...Kenwood would not give me the information I required. Why? Top Secret of course. At the time I didn't want to use infra red control and why should I if there was a wired interface. Anyway, I found it impossible to get the information I wanted for the wired interface and started looking at infra red interfaces. Then I looked at the price.....how much for something the cost less thn

Steve54

Sell the design to Kenwood

S2000Mike

I want one!!!

What model HU do you have? Can't remember my one off the top of my head and can't get to it to see just for now.

blue_jester

I have a Kenwood Headunit (and a music keg) and have fitted them with an adaptor for the dash controls. The unit is a PAC SWI-X that I bought from Ebay. It is mentioned on the American side of S2KI and is (I think) only available in the US. I had no problems fitting it and also hooking up the mute via a relay, the forums do mention some delay when pressing the buttons but I really find it all works quite well.

If you need any further advice just ask

andyds2k

This is the completed hardware prototype. It has a few more components than what was required, but these were added for making debugging easier.



The completed boxed unit, showing debug LEDs. Label is a bit tacky, but who cares since it will be tucked away under the dash.



I choose the position of the DCI to bejust to the left of the steering and under the dash. There is plenty of room here and its a simple task to route the wires to behind the HU. Placing the DCI here meant i didn't if to try and squeeze it all in behind the HU. The pictures show where the wires were routed.



Now to make the connections. Power, mute and dash all connected to the radio harness. And carefully all the wires tucked back into place behind the HU.



Just before fully fitting the HU back in place the position of the IR LED can be seen. Managed to break the handsfree MUTE function, due to breaking a connection while pulling everything in and out.



The DCI boxed up and ready to be tucked under the dash out of sight (still don't like the label)



And finally the completed HU installed with IR LED just showing. So far no one has noticed the LED until I pointed it out to them.



Things to do next:-
1) Add more functions to the DCI (multiple button presses for the MP3 side of things.
2) Correct one small bug that is still outstanding (presets selection), but I can live with that for now.

Anyway I am and satisfied that it cost less than

GSi

Geeky, but

sammyc

:sigh: the ultimate geek fix, making your own electronic controller!

Well done you!

andyds2k

It will work with all Kenwood HU that have IR remote control capability, well those in that are less than 5 years old. There are two other DCIs in the market that I know of PAC SWI-X and Multi-DCI.
Both use the IR interface of HUs, but they do cost between

andyds2k

Not a geek, just someone who is tight .

Now I have saved about

euan

Nice job