On the 2012 Interstate (and other years), there is a rectangular enclosure in the front overhead console, above the interior cab lights/glasses holder. It has a grey plastic cover plate. Inside, there is a four conductor connector.
I haven't seen a thread on this or a picture with something in this special enclosure.
Is this for a video/audio device, a CB radio, camera, or what?
I want to connect our portable XM radio to the audio system (Kenwood DNX7180) which has an audio input. I just can't find where to connect my XM radio to that Kenwood audio input. The RCA connectors in the large front overhead compartment connect to the front TV. We can listen to the XM through that TV, but the TV shuts off every 15 minutes.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
On the 2012 Interstate (and other years), there is a rectangular enclosure in the front overhead console, above the interior cab lights/glasses holder. It has a grey plastic cover plate. Inside, there is a four conductor connector.
I haven't seen a thread on this or a picture with something in this special enclosure.
Is this for a video/audio device, a CB radio, camera, or what?
I want to connect our portable XM radio to the audio system (Kenwood DNX7180) which has an audio input. I just can't find where to connect my XM radio to that Kenwood audio input. The RCA connectors in the large front overhead compartment connect to the front TV. We can listen to the XM through that TV, but the TV shuts off every 15 minutes.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
That overhead enclosure is for equipment like a CB radio. The attached file has some details on the connector.
For hooking your portable XM radio to the Kenwood head unit you need to get to the Kenwood's AV input. Do you have the Aux input cables in your glove box? On my 2013 this cable uses the AV input, but mine only has the older iPhone and USB connectors. Depending on your set-up you may need to pull the head unit to get to the connectors on back of the unit.
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]That overhead enclosure is for equipment like a CB radio. The attached file has some details on the connector.
However, I have yet to find a CB radio that will fit. That enclosure might make a good place to install an aftermarket tire pressure monitoring system, though…
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I thought getting old would take longer!
It's the size of a single-din head unit so the possibilities are many. I put a DVD/digital media player with an 8" screen and powered it from a house battery lead found above the front headliner. It gives the second row passengers a separate entertainment option as I placed the speakers favorably towards the second row.
Boxster1971, thank you for that information. I assumed it was for a CB radio, thought the red was probably power (don't have my VOM on this trip), and hoped the others might go to the speakers.
Where did you get this information, and do you have a link to the full document? The information I could Google was severely lacking.
I saw the connections in the Kenwood document that came with my unit. I only have the Apple connections in my glove box. I had a problem with the head unit not coming on, but it started again as I was going to the dealer for repair, so they said they couldn't do anything. I paid to have it pulled and the tech confirmed the A/V input was connected. I just don't know where the connected wires go.
I am hesitant to mess with it myself, though I have the skill. At that time, it was under factory warranty and now it is under extended warranty.
I did try to pull the head unit with the special tools and got nowhere. The tech told me he had to remove the trim and unbolt the unit. I'm not sure how he removed the trim and sure don't want to mess anything up and have them void my warranty.
73Shark, as for the 15 minutes and shut off, I assume the TV shuts off every 15 minutes (we timed it) because it isn't getting any video input, so it must think there is no signal and it times out. My wife had to reach back and turn it on as we're traveling, or I do it with the remote if we're stopped. Besides the PITA, it would be nice to have the nice sound/volume control/rear speakers of the audio system rather than the TV.
... Where did you get this information, and do you have a link to the full document? The information I could Google was severely lacking.
I saw the connections in the Kenwood document that came with my unit. I only have the Apple connections in my glove box. I had a problem with the head unit not coming on, but it started again as I was going to the dealer for repair, so they said they couldn't do anything. I paid to have it pulled and the tech confirmed the A/V input was connected. I just don't know where the connected wires go.
I am hesitant to mess with it myself, though I have the skill. At that time, it was under factory warranty and now it is under extended warranty.
I did try to pull the head unit with the special tools and got nowhere. The tech told me he had to remove the trim and unbolt the unit. I'm not sure how he removed the trim and sure don't want to mess anything up and have them void my warranty.
73Shark, as for the 15 minutes and shut off, I assume the TV shuts off every 15 minutes (we timed it) because it isn't getting any video input, so it must think there is no signal and it times out. My wife had to reach back and turn it on as we're traveling, or I do it with the remote if we're stopped. Besides the PITA, it would be nice to have the nice sound/volume control/rear speakers of the audio system rather than the TV.
I collect all the Sprinter tech data I can find. Even older documents are fairly accurate as the basic design of current Sprinter has not changed much since 2008. You can read about Sprinter history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter
I tried to extract just the single page but the document is locked and can only be viewed and printed since it is an official M-B document. So I scanned it from a printed page - thus the poor quality.
To help get your XM radio connected to the Kenwood AV input I need to know what specific portable XM radio you are using and what connections are available on that radio. It may be possible to get an adapter set-up that will work.
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- - Mike
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2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by ben322
It's the size of a single-din head unit so the possibilities are many. I put a DVD/digital media player with an 8" screen and powered it from a house battery lead found above the front headliner. It gives the second row passengers a separate entertainment option as I placed the speakers favorably towards the second row.
Now THAT would be a great place for your rearview camera monitor, so that you can have both an inside rearview mirror AND a rearview camera!
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I thought getting old would take longer!
Other than keeping an eye on the miscreants in the back, a rear view mirror isn't of much use due to the high placement of the rear windows. I use the mirror on my sunvisor for keeping the young ones under control.
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Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
I collect all the Sprinter tech data I can find. Even older documents are fairly accurate as the basic design of current Sprinter has not changed much since 2008. You can read about Sprinter history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter
I tried to extract just the single page but the document is locked and can only be viewed and printed since it is an official M-B document. So I scanned it from a printed page - thus the poor quality.
To help get your XM radio connected to the Kenwood AV input I need to know what specific portable XM radio you are using and what connections are available on that radio. It may be possible to get an adapter set-up that will work.
Thanks again Boxster1971. The Pioneer Inno has a mini-stereo headphone jack and comes with an adapter to convert that output to the standard RCA plugs (red, white). That's how I'm now connecting it to the A/V input RCA connections in the large overhead console above the cab, forward of the front TV. I had hoped those connections went to the head unit, but they go to the TV, obviously for your satellite receiver, as the antenna input is also there.
If the tech who pulled the head unit was correct, and the A/V input cables from the Kenwood adapter are connected to another cable, I wish I knew where that other cable terminated.
...
If the tech who pulled the head unit was correct, and the A/V input cables from the Kenwood adapter are connected to another cable, I wish I knew where that other cable terminated.
Normally Airstream installs a Kenwood KAC-iP202 adapter cable to the AV and USB inputs. It should be in the glove box in front of passenger seat. If it's not there maybe it got shoved behind the glove box -- you could look there.
I've attached a photo of mine and a copy of the connections from Kenwood manual. If you have this cable adapter installed it's an easy step to get an adapter so you can plug the headphone jack on your Pioneer Inno into the iPod connector going to Kenwood unit.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
Normally Airstream installs a Kenwood KAC-iP202 adapter cable to the AV and USB inputs. It should be in the glove box in front of passenger seat. If it's not there maybe it got shoved behind the glove box -- you could look there.
I've attached a photo of mine and a copy of the connections from Kenwood manual. If you have this cable adapter installed it's an easy step to get an adapter so you can plug the headphone jack on your Pioneer Inno into the iPod connector going to Kenwood unit.
Oops - meant to say it was a KCA-iP202 adapter cable.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
Normally Airstream installs a Kenwood KAC-iP202 adapter cable to the AV and USB inputs. It should be in the glove box in front of passenger seat. If it's not there maybe it got shoved behind the glove box -- you could look there.
I've attached a photo of mine and a copy of the connections from Kenwood manual. If you have this cable adapter installed it's an easy step to get an adapter so you can plug the headphone jack on your Pioneer Inno into the iPod connector going to Kenwood unit.
Thanks. Mine has the USB and iPod connector, but I thought that may need to see some of the other control signals for the iPod input (i.e. viewing music files to select). Sorry, I'm not an Apple guy.
The USB on my Inno is for loading software updates, not outputs.
I had hoped to find where the A/V input cables from the head unit were attached to, but I'll try purchasing a 3.5mm to iPod cable as you advised.
As a side note, do you know if the built-in Sirius antenna is connectable or adaptable to the XM portable radio input? FWIW, I got an XM XExpressEZ and the connector and antenna are the same.
Thanks. Mine has the USB and iPod connector, but I thought that may need to see some of the other control signals for the iPod input (i.e. viewing music files to select). Sorry, I'm not an Apple guy.
The USB on my Inno is for loading software updates, not outputs.
I had hoped to find where the A/V input cables from the head unit were attached to, but I'll try purchasing a 3.5mm to iPod cable as you advised.
....
There are several adapters that should work. I'm thinking of getting on myself so I can plug in my other MP3 players into the iPod connector provided by Airstream. I've read lots of reviews on these adapters and they all seem to have some issues in vehicles. So you can go two ways
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