Support Head-Fi.org by
starting all of your
Amazon.com shopping by
clicking here.
____________________________________________________________________
Today's Featured Head-Fi Blog: Jude's Blog
____________________________________________________________________
Please help
support Head-Fi by becoming a Contributing Member
CLICK
HERE -- Contributing Members, thank you
for your generous support! --
I've been planning on doing this mod for a while now; I already have the BGs ready to go. However, I'm a little nervous with the development about the battery not charging correctly anymore. I don't have time to browse the 118 pages in this thread, so could anyone summarize the problems that others have had with this mod when done correctly? I'm assuming that syncing and charging via the computer is completely the same as without the mod. I'm also assuming that this mod will mean that the ipod can't be used with a FM transmitter in the car anymore (no big loss there; I used it mainly for charging while on the road). Any other issues I should consider before attempting the mod?
__________________ Eyes attached to your mute portrait,
We spoke only through thoughts;
Together we gazed, awaited...
Hours brought thirst, and the rising sun.
I've been planning on doing this mod for a while now; I already have the BGs ready to go. However, I'm a little nervous with the development about the battery not charging correctly anymore. I don't have time to browse the 118 pages in this thread, so could anyone summarize the problems that others have had with this mod when done correctly? I'm assuming that syncing and charging via the computer is completely the same as without the mod. I'm also assuming that this mod will mean that the ipod can't be used with a FM transmitter in the car anymore (no big loss there; I used it mainly for charging while on the road). Any other issues I should consider before attempting the mod?
I recommend taking the time to read the whole thread. A lot of the information may not be relevant to your particular project, but you will gain a broader understanding of the concepts and theories behind this mod. You're asking questions that, had you read the entire thread, you wouldn't have to ask.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, so I will address your questions at the risk of you ruining your iPod by not understanding what you're doing.
If done correctly, people don't seem to have any problems with their iPods. This battery issue on the last few pages is a recent issue, and I'm not sure it's related to the mod. It could be coincidental. We don't know yet. You are correct that syncing with the PC and charging are unaffected. Since you do understand this, why do you think your FM transmitter will no longer work? I doubt the dock connected FM transmitter needs the coupling caps. It's not an amplifier really. It's a modulator, like half a modem :P
__________________
PC(FLACs and Foobar2k) --> Sennheiser HD-580
MiniMod or 30GB Video --> FreqShow
I recommend taking the time to read the whole thread. A lot of the information may not be relevant to your particular project, but you will gain a broader understanding of the concepts and theories behind this mod. You're asking questions that, had you read the entire thread, you wouldn't have to ask.
I simply don't have time. I completely understand the basics of the mod, and don't have any problems with that. I can't see what issues could arise from the mod being used, which is why the battery problem scared me a bit.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, so I will address your questions at the risk of you ruining your iPod by not understanding what you're doing.
If done correctly, people don't seem to have any problems with their iPods. This battery issue on the last few pages is a recent issue, and I'm not sure it's related to the mod. It could be coincidental. We don't know yet. You are correct that syncing with the PC and charging are unaffected. Since you do understand this, why do you think your FM transmitter will no longer work? I doubt the dock connected FM transmitter needs the coupling caps. It's not an amplifier really. It's a modulator, like half a modem :P
Stray DC voltage. I assume (I haven't looked at any schematics or the like for transmitters) that the L/R audio out in the dock are used by the transmitter to broadcast the signal. I figure that either the excess DC voltage will damage the transmitter itself, or the DC offset would be broadcasted along with the signal, making it pretty much useless. Like I said, this isn't a problem really, because the only thing I use the FM transmitter is for charging or listening to ESPN podcasts :P
I'm also assuming that this mod (for a 5.5G ipod) would render the headphone out useless, as the L/R signal from the DAC is cut off from the rest of the circuit by removing the capacitors just outside the DAC. EDIT: Just read this wasn't the case. Nice!
So, long story short, no one has reported any other problems other the possible recent problem with the battery?
__________________ Eyes attached to your mute portrait,
We spoke only through thoughts;
Together we gazed, awaited...
Hours brought thirst, and the rising sun.
I wonder if some of the problems with battery life are due to damage (likely ESD damage) to chips on the board. It's possible to cause just enough damage to significantly increase the current consumption of an IC, but not enough to cause a functional failure.
So, long story short, no one has reported any other problems other the possible recent problem with the battery?
I haven't had a chance to look into it yet, but I think the charging issue is more iPod related than diyMod. Of course, it does seem like a coincidence that barqy's, Lil' Knight's and my diyMod 4G are acting up in the power management department, but before we panic, consider that barqy's iPod can charge and discharges when it's turned off whereas mine does not seem to charge at all. Again, I don't know for sure, but I just wanted to clarify before any conclusion can be made with any meaningful certainty. It does concern me that these diyMod power issues are arising as they are, so I will have to continue to look into it; I echo the sentiment for others to speak up on their diyMod power issues.
__________________
"Ears that hear and eyes that see - the LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12
Team University-fi | Team Edmonton-and-Surrounding-Urbanities(1)(2)
Basically I just want to verify that you can take the signal from the DAC and push it into a 3.5mm mini plug outside the iPod nano directly and plug that into an amp (without needing to do/cut/solder anything else). I also realize that there must be a ground wire, where would I get this from? I've seen random wires in CAvanessia's diyMod, but the picture is too small to discern the details.
EDIT: I've read a couple of pages now (up to 30-40), but nobody has been very clear about this way of doing it (basically I want it the same as the RedWineAudio iModded nano).
I simply don't have time. I completely understand the basics of the mod, and don't have any problems with that. I can't see what issues could arise from the mod being used, which is why the battery problem scared me a bit.
Stray DC voltage. I assume (I haven't looked at any schematics or the like for transmitters) that the L/R audio out in the dock are used by the transmitter to broadcast the signal. I figure that either the excess DC voltage will damage the transmitter itself, or the DC offset would be broadcasted along with the signal, making it pretty much useless. Like I said, this isn't a problem really, because the only thing I use the FM transmitter is for charging or listening to ESPN podcasts :P
I'm also assuming that this mod (for a 5.5G ipod) would render the headphone out useless, as the L/R signal from the DAC is cut off from the rest of the circuit by removing the capacitors just outside the DAC. EDIT: Just read this wasn't the case. Nice!
So, long story short, no one has reported any other problems other the possible recent problem with the battery?
None that I recall reading (and I have read the whole thread).
I have an FM transmitter too, I'll have to see if there is any affect on mine. It plugs into the dock port, but it came with a cigarette lighter charger with a mini USB plug on it that works in my cell phone also. I only use it now as a charging adapter, as I use a mini2mini cable and the AUX port on my car.
I need to make a long docking cable for the car I think hehe
Originally Posted by barqy
hi,
just to clarify, the DIY imod (4th gen) I have has no problem charging!
It just seems to de-charge (sp?) the battery when the ipod is turned off.
If I unplug the battery after charging it, the battery holds charge fine
Basically I just want to verify that you can take the signal from the DAC and push it into a 3.5mm mini plug outside the iPod nano directly and plug that into an amp (without needing to do/cut/solder anything else). I also realize that there must be a ground wire, where would I get this from? I've seen random wires in CAvanessia's diyMod, but the picture is too small to discern the details.
EDIT: I've read a couple of pages now (up to 30-40), but nobody has been very clear about this way of doing it (basically I want it the same as the RedWineAudio iModded nano).
I can't say for sure about those locations to attach the wires as I don't have one of those ipods. Assuming those are signals from the DAC, your plan should work, but remember you need a ground still. You will also probably want some coupling capacitors somewhere between those pads you're soldering to and the amplifier. Some amp have the protection built in and you don't need them, but having them means you can use any amp.
__________________
PC(FLACs and Foobar2k) --> Sennheiser HD-580
MiniMod or 30GB Video --> FreqShow
Technically speaking, you can take the ground from any spot inside the iPod, but I think the best ground to take would be the analogue ground that the DAC uses. It might be tricky taking one of the GNDs near the DAC, as there would be a bunch of wires flying around, so try the internal headphone jack's GND supply. Double check with your handy dandy DMM that the voltages are 0 V and you're set.
As for hooking it straight up to the amp, like Hayduke said, I recommend you do it only if you know that the amp can take DC without destroying your headphones or speakers (unless you're trying to destroy yours or someone else's). Put capacitors in series with the signal unless you know why you can go without. Let us know how it goes.
Cheerio.
__________________
"Ears that hear and eyes that see - the LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12
Team University-fi | Team Edmonton-and-Surrounding-Urbanities(1)(2)
Oh I forgot to mention that I already had planned to do that with the Blackgate ones recommended in the first post. The problem now is how to get them to Australia.
And final question before I try to gather all my stuff so it arrives right after my exams, I remove the things labeled "Z" before soldering wires to them, or somehow solder the wires to the sides (there was a bit of discussion I read about this, but to do with the similar, larger yellow ones, so I'll ask again)? I've seen people remove other caps and inductors, and other components when using a line out dock or the headphone jack, this isn't necessary as I bypass them right? I plan to keep line out port and headphone jack functionality perfect (insofar as it does not degrade the quality on my new line out wires)
Cheers.
Also, if somebody could help me get the blackgates to Australia, please PM me
