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Bike music player project

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solemnwarning
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 23 Jun 2012
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PostPosted: 22:06 - 18 Jul 2017    Post subject: Bike music player project Reply with quote

Been tinkering with this on and off, thought I'd share what I've got so far.

I wanted to be able to listen to music while I was out on the bike, without spending more than my bike's worth on fancy equipment, so started off experimenting with a set of cheap in-helmet speakers like these: Stereo Motorcycle In-helmet Speaker 3.5mm Headphone Earphone Volume Control MP3.

Plugged them into an MP3 player, ok at low speed but inaudible at high speed. Stuffed them in a drawer and left them alone for a year or so.

Got them out and gave them another try, found my laptop could drive them MUCH louder so went out for a ride with that in my backpack. Can hear at motorway speeds now, and in combination with foam earplugs it isn't going to damage my hearing.

Having to deal with my helmet being wired to me is annoying though. As is not being able to change the volume/etc without pulling over and getting my laptop out.

Still, proved the speakers can do the job...

So, lets try a bluetooth audio receiver... like Golvery Bluetooth Receiver Advanced 4.1 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Audio (exact one I bought).

Not as loud as the laptop, but if you wind the volume on the transmitter up to 125% or so it can still be heard at motorway speeds (with some minor distortion).

Still a bother. Have to carry a laptop around and can't easily control it.

Next step... computer (Raspberry Pi) mounted on the bike, with handlebar controls for volume up/down, prev/next song and play/pause.

The software on it is mostly-complete now. I haven't had it running on the bike yet (I've not been fit to ride for a few weeks due to medical fun times).

I spent a while throwing around ideas for how to do the handlebar controls... there are a few existing things I could use as a starting point, but again, they cost about as much as my bike is worth.

Eventually discovered "navigation switches" like this one: ALPS - SKQUCAA010 - NAVIGATION SWITCH, 5WAY, which I got (trial) mounted on the bike tonight. Need to make a button cap and fashion some waterproof cover for it.

Remaining steps are to get the software bits finished and the wiring on the bike side. The plan is to mount the Pi in the tail fairing amongst my tools and other junk.
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Howling Terror
Super Spammer



Joined: 05 Dec 2008
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PostPosted: 22:27 - 18 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Only for use in dry weather and flat roads?
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solemnwarning
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 23 Jun 2012
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PostPosted: 22:32 - 18 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Waterproofing isn't finished yet.

Why flat roads?
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c_dug
Super Spammer



Joined: 04 Sep 2007
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PostPosted: 22:34 - 18 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bluetooth doesn't go uphill. Duh.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.
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Tracer1234
World Chat Champion



Joined: 13 Sep 2014
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PostPosted: 23:48 - 18 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a kerfuffle that seems. Confused
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Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15
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solemnwarning
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 23 Jun 2012
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PostPosted: 23:59 - 21 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tracer1234 wrote:
What a kerfuffle that seems. Confused


It is a project Smile

Finished off the button today and got the DIN socket soldered on. Its a bit awkward to press to the right, I probably should've made the nylon piece a bit straighter.

Plugged it in for a test and the computer kept resetting when most of the buttons were pressed... turns out I crimped the shield THROUGH some of the dainty little ribbon wires and was shorting the internal 3.3v supply to ground.

Oops.

One new cable later and it actually works! Very Happy

Getting pretty close, maybe I'll get it wired up on the bike over the weekend.
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jakebrownbass
Renault 5 Driver



Joined: 14 Feb 2016
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PostPosted: 06:45 - 22 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hope you're planning on creating some sort of shock proof case & mount for the Pi.


Also, Freecom Bluetooth headset/intercom is less than £40 connect to phone. Job jobbed.
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Hyosung GTR 125 ---> Suzuki GSXR 400R ---> Kawasaki 636 ---> Break ---> Kawasaki Versys 650
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solemnwarning
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 23 Jun 2012
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PostPosted: 10:02 - 22 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

jakebrownbass wrote:
I hope you're planning on creating some sort of shock proof case & mount for the Pi.


Also, Freecom Bluetooth headset/intercom is less than £40 connect to phone. Job jobbed.


Ah, but that wouldn't get me handlebar controls, and I'd have to buy one of those "smart" phones the kids keep talking about.

Shock proof case... bubble wrap around it for when its rattling about in the tail fairing maybe
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solemnwarning
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 23 Jun 2012
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PostPosted: 15:34 - 22 Jul 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Today was productive.

I took the tail fairing off and found there's a lot of vertical space in there, just enough for me to make a crappy little shelf for the Pi to sit on, attached to the tail light screws, so its on shock absorbing mounts after all Laughing

Got all the bike side stuff mounted and wired up, took power off the tail light supply so it goes off with the bike but I can switch it on (mostly) independently if I want.

Just need to figure out a way to waterproof the receiver on the helmet now...
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