Has anyone hard wired their Harmon/Kardon Drive + Play Unit (to control your iPod)? Since it comes with a 12 volt power hardness and a 2A fuse, I wonder if I could tap this into the radio or cigarette lighter without blowing a fuse. The manual states that I can connect it to the ignition switch's ACC terminal, but I do not know where those wires are located. If anyone has any guidance, I would appreciate the help.

-

 

Seems I recall that member nox1s uses this device. I could be wrong though.

 

PPro did it. Even has complete details, photos, diagrams on his website

Here's a link specifically to the IPod info, but check out the rest of his site too. Amazing job.

http://4x4icon.com/crossfire/drive_play/index.htm

 

I did, so did a member called Infinity.

The images in my gallery are old, and when I first installed it. It's a pretty ugly installation IMO. But you can get the basic idea.. I've since then moved the control **** and screen, so it looks MUCH better and the wires are hidden.

I've taken it down though since I'm taking my car to the dealer.. wish I would've snapped pictures.

All in all, I LOVE THE UNIT. The new Drive + Play 2 is AMAZING too, but it is EXPENSIVE. (300$) compard to getting a regular Drive+Play you can get on ebay for ~30$.

 

Sorry for the double post, but I'd figure i'll address your questions more directly..

You can tap into the radio .. i'm assuming the cigarette lighter too btu I have no experience with that. I had 4 led tubes, my navigation system, a new headunit, and the drive+play all connected to the radio harness.. I blew a fuse once?? But i'm not sure how, since at the time all that was connected was my new headunit... it was a weird event, but in over a year thats the only time that happened.

Are you going to get a new headunit? I HIGHLY suggest it. Even with the wired FM transmitter, the sound is still garbage. I couldn't stand it. Get the auxiliary input and you won't look back..

Also, as you going to be drilling your car? The LCD screen is VERY hard to mount with the included adhesive / any other adhesive i've tried.. since it doesn't stick to the weird leathery dash... AT ALL.

 

Since I found a different way to mount the controll unit, I will post some pics tomorrow. Thanks for your information, for it helps in determining how to install the unit correctly.

 

Click for install

A couple quick comments:

The FM Modulator method of getting the music from the harman/kardon works but the sound quality is poor
The factory head unit does not provide for auxiliary inputs, so you can only use the FM Modulator
If you use the direct connect FM Modulator, you will need Euro to US converters for both ends of the antenna wire

My write-up above takes you through what I did including wiring.

With the harman/kardon plugged directly into the AUX inputs of my NEW head unit, the sound is great, power from the car charges and powers the iPod, and the heads-up control is very useful.

You can get a great deal on the unit right now.

 

So, here are pics of my update to my car.

 

Excellent! So what do you think? Worthwhile?

 

Did you drill anything?

 

Since our stero does not have an AUX port, the sound is not as sharp as if you were playing a CD. But the sound is still good, and I can listen to all of my iTunes. As for the reception, I have no interfernce what so ever. It is worthwhile for now, or until there is a better stero with great options in it.

 

Nope, if you see the gap between the ignition panel, and the stereo panel I ran the cable in between them. I used two plastic panel removers to insert the cable in between. The first one was used to widen the gap, and the other was used to push the cable in.

Then I continued the process upward, and followed the gap until the end of the cable wrapped into the back of the stereo panel. In order for that to work I removed the stereo panel, the A/C unit, and the Stereo. It was not hard to remove all of those items although I needed to take my time.

The unit that displays your music I ran the cable along the edge of the dash board, and ran it into the fuse box. Towards the back of the fuse box I ran the cable until it fell down next to the brake paddle. Then I ran the cable towards the back of the stereo panel.

There is a panel next to the gas pedal that has a small gap that you can run the cable.

Ensure you have your negative cable unplug from your car battery (safety first)!!!

Stick your hand inside of the stereo slot, and you will be able to see the end of the cable and pull out towards you. Finally I ran the iPod connector behind the glove box, and the cable fell on to the passenger floor.

Next, you can push the panel inward like the panel next to the gas pedal. Put your hand through the stereo slot and pull the cable out towards you. Now you can connect all of the cables to the unit, and use some zip ties to bundle the cables neatly.

You can run the power connector to the cigarette lighter the same way you ran the iPod cable. I did that as a temporary solution. I did not want to tap into the ACC power line because I did not want to screw that up. I placed the unit inside of the stereo slot, and attached all of the panels, the A/C unit, and the stereo.

I took my car to a local audio/stereo installation place, and I had them tap my XM radio unit and the iPod power cables to my ACC wires. They charged me $45 dollars, and was not a bad deal. At least there was a piece of mind that I did not screw up my power cables for the units, and the car.

I also ran my XM cables the same way as I did for the Drive + Play unit.

I know you only asked the drilling question, but I wanted to layout the steps in the event you decide to purchase the unit yourself. Best Buy sells the unit for $80 dollars and Drive + Play dual transmitter adapter (only buy the Drive + Play adapter if you have a plug and play XM/Sirius unit because you are going have to daisy chain the Drive + Play unit with XM/Sirius unit), and the two special Euro harness cables for $25 dollars. I bought the unit $20 dollars cheaper on eBay. There is a better version of the Drive + Play for about $300 dollars. That unit can control your iPod, Bluetooth, and Sirius SAT radio. Since I have XM radio, I did not purchase that unit. You probably can get a stereo/nav unit for that price. I still cannot find a stereo unit that matches our Crossfire look, and that can control XM, Bluetooth, and the iPod. That is why I have those two units for now as a temporary solution. I hope that this info has help, and sorry for this huge response.

 

Thanks for the huge response... but I kinda already have the unit in my car

I bought an extra unit on ebay for 30$.. took apart the lcd to make it thinner, and am going to mount it in one of my air vents or something.. IDK..

There was definitely an easier way to run your LCD cable... if you just follow the side where the fuse box is.. you can start at the bottom where the felt thing is, lift up, tuck the wire under there..and run it under the bottom across to the same spot you enter in the center console part.. but whatever works for you

How did you mount the LCD? The sticky adhesive didn't want to stick on the leathery dash, and eventually fell off

 

I used the adhesive circle strips that came with the unit. I have had them installed for a while, and they have not come off yet. I made sure that I used the alcohol strips, and applied pressure for about a minute or so. I guess I have to knock on wood or else.