In this post I will show you how to transform any amplifier into a digital media player complete with a remote control. When I say digital media player I mean Bluetooth connectivity, USB playback, SD card playback and the traditional FM radio and Auxiliary inputs are included as well.
Here is a sample of the completed project
There's a special satisfaction when something that you have been working on actually works.https://t.co/9w370k5vTe pic.twitter.com/GgnGLgJc6L
— Techsawa (@techsawa) May 24, 2019
I bought this device for only Ksh700 and it comes with a remote control ans connecting cables. I was lucky the shop I bought it from were courteous enough to test it for me. Although they only tested the power input, I am still happy they tested it.
There are other units that also read video files and give picture output to a composite video port on a monitor or TV. These retail for Ksh1000 but since my TV can read USB movies directly, I really didn’t need a fancy Bluetooth media device. I just settled for the gadget in the featured image.
How To Connect
There are 3 parts to connecting this Bluetooth module.
- Connecting the power supply
- Connecting to the amplifier
- Connecting the AUX input wires which is optional
- And finally mounting the unit on a housing
Power Supply
The module should be powered by a 5Volt DC input. In the first part of my project I used a transformer based power supply that produced 5 volts at 2 Amperes.
Connecting to the amplifier
There are wires labeled as R GNG and L for the right channel, ground connection and Left channel respectively. I just soldered the wires directly to the amplifier. Keeping these wires short is important in order to reduce the noise. I used the PAM8403 Amplifier module for my project.
Connecting portable music input wires
The portable music input for my project was a s easy as connecting the portable music cable to the port at the front.
Making the unit portable
In part one of the video I used a power supply adapter connected directly to the unit. In part two I managed to install a rechargeable battery inside the unit as well as install a power switch at the back.
What are your opinions and comments?
Very nice….how much is that?
The price has dropped because the last time I bought one of these modules, it only cost me Ksh300
Do you have a portable power supply for bluetooth modules especially fitting that of a car modulator?
You can either use an old phone charger or a car cigarette lighter phone charger