Bluetooth

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:31 pm

It's been quite awhile since I've done any boat improvements. I decided it was time to add Bluetooth to the Clarion XMD3. It sounds GREAT - every bit as good as any other source, at least to my ears. No more cables!

The only trick (besides spending the afternoon on my knees) was finding and tapping in to the remote amp turn-on wire for power. For now I've disconnected the 1/8" jack that I installed years ago, as I doubt it will ever be needed again. At some point I may pull it out and stick in a rubber plug, but I may just leave the jack in place.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:50 pm

Does the bluetooth receiver get covered up by a solid panel? Does it still receive well? I'd love to add that also in my Funship, but am wondering about both the stereo and the bluetooth receiver being inside the enclosed head area...

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:31 pm

It just hides behind the little cabinet that's mounted under the head unit. The cabinet is held in by four screws; with the cabinet out you have (relatively) easy access to the head unit and its wiring. All of it is separate from the head compartment. That little box that says "Fusion" on it is the module. Aboard a boat, you're never far enough away from it for the deck wall to be an interference issue. There's also almost no metal in that area which helps.

Note that if you have the older XMD2, it won't work because that model doesn't have an AUX input. That may be the only difference between the XMD2 and XMD3.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 12:04 am

I actually have a Sony installed, but did notice the Fusion bluetooth module.

Interesting, and something I've wanted to do for a while...

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sun Sep 18, 2016 11:03 am

I considered replacing the head unit, but decided not to for now since my wired remotes would also have to be replaced, even if I stayed with Clarion.

Wylie_Tunes · **Joined:** Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:21 am **Posts:** 176

Quote:

The only trick (besides spending the afternoon on my knees) was finding and tapping in to the remote amp turn-on wire for power

Then I hate to be the one to tell you, but you should NOT use the amp turn-on to power a BT or anything else. Either relocate the BT's red B+ to the head-unit yellow or use a relay that triggered by the blue amp turn-on. Its a trigger circuit, not a load carrying circuit.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 7:22 pm

I was concerned about that too, but figured with a max load of 20mA it should be OK. I stand to find out differently.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:02 am

Your assumption is correct Mike, it will be fine as you hooked it up. You may want to wrap some electrical tape around
those RCA jacks, as tight as they seem to fit, they can vibrate loose after time. Experience.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:57 am

keep in mind that BT audio will drain your phone/ipod battery

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:02 am

Yes, and Mike, also keep in mind, it's usually dark at nighttime........ :wink:

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:50 am

Thanks, and thanks Cap'n. In the case of these RCA jacks, they actually don't fit tightly and I'm planning to zip tie them during the next trip. It was 3am and I had to be back in KC the next afternoon, so there's still some wrapping up to do. While I'm at it, I'll see how much current is being drawn on that line with everything running. I suspect there will be lots of headroom but it can't hurt to be sure.

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:01 pm

Great job Mike. How much did that Fusion BT receiver cost? I added this little BT receiver to my home stereo for $20:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/28-20884
It's 12VDC (9-15VDC) and works great, but it's an open circuit board with no case, so not so well suited for marine environment.

Your Fusions Max Load of 20ma is very low. Hope that's correct. My unit above is 10ma in standby and up to 500ma maximum current.

Ray

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:15 pm

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CUMQU ... SY340_QL65

The 20mA is directly from Fusion's published specs. However, it never hurts to verify it, especially when it's as easy to do as this will be.

I'm considering buying another one for my home system, since I already have a 12V power supply sitting around not being used. That Sure board looks good too. It would be nice if they'd offer it in kit form, it would be a fun build and easy to put into a case if one wanted to.

Vintage Beauty · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:17 pm

I just have a cheap stereo and speakers on my boat. Bought one of these sub $20 adapters from Amazon earlier this year and it works well. I won't claim it provides perfect audio, but I don't discern a difference with my set-up. Being portable I also use it for my barn and garage stereo's when desired.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJMV0GU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:20 pm

That's cool!

www.iFourWinns.com

Bluetooth

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