Mounted PlayBook on BMW E34

**kevin.mcca** · 01-10-2012, 03:26 PM

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share with you guys MY way of mounting a PlayBook on a car. I uploaded a picture of the original radio of my BMW and the transformation I did with the PlayBook. The volume can be controlled using a RCA I/O volume control http://i.ebayimg.com/05/!B2PRLCQCGk~...i)KVg~~_35.JPG. The PlayBook's panel it's moved by a Miniature Linear Actuator ( L12 12V 50mm 100:1 PLC/RC Miniature Linear Actuator - RobotShop )
Here's a video of the panel working

Hope you like it!

**westcoaststyle** · 01-10-2012, 03:39 PM

What year is your E34? I have a '95 E36 and was wondering how it would look in it. Yours looks pretty nice.

**kevin.mcca** · 01-10-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by westcoaststyle

What year is your E34? I have a '95 E36 and was wondering how it would look in it. Yours looks pretty nice.

'90. Thanks!

**justincase1911** · 01-10-2012, 04:04 PM

Very nice. I have a feeling I will end up doing this in my Ram Truck sooner or later.

**JosephRuff** · 01-10-2012, 05:44 PM

looks damn good. very nice job.

**Chaddface** · 01-10-2012, 05:54 PM

You had to move the HVAC contronls too? That's no small task. Good job.
The PB is the same size as my Audi Nav. I'm hoping for an easier install when(not if) my factory nav fails.

**spencerdl** · 01-10-2012, 05:59 PM

WOW, looks GOOD. Nice job....how long did it take from start to finish

**f1mx** · 01-10-2012, 06:19 PM

haven't seen the video yet, but the photos look pretty good. Very clean install

**twodotohh** · 01-10-2012, 09:08 PM

Now if only your PlayBook had constant 4G connectivity....

**offthahorseceo** · 01-10-2012, 10:27 PM

mind if i ask you a couple of questions?
ive been wanting to do this on my 1989 allante for a while now, id probably incorporate the bluetooth stereo gateway but thats besides the point.

how exactly did you route the audio? was it playbook headphonejack>rca io>amp or was the original hu hidden in there somewhere?

also, did you set the pb volume to 100%?

lastly, what did you use for the "panel"

**Papa_Dios** · 01-10-2012, 10:51 PM

VERY nice.

**maam** · 01-10-2012, 11:10 PM

That's awesome!! I was thinking it was just a slap on, but you went all out eh. Good job!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**kevin.mcca** · 01-11-2012, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Chaddface

You had to move the HVAC contronls too? That's no small task. Good job.
The PB is the same size as my Audi Nav. I'm hoping for an easier install when(not if) my factory nav fails.

Yeah I used the same housing it had originally, but I had to cut some divisions to make it fit down there.

**kevin.mcca** · 01-11-2012, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by offthahorseceo

how exactly did you route the audio? was it playbook headphonejack>rca io>amp or was the original hu hidden in there somewhere?

also, did you set the pb volume to 100%?

lastly, what did you use for the "panel"

1. Yes Headphone Jack>RCA I/O>AMP.

2. And yes you set the PB volume to 100%

3. I use stainless steel sheet and some automotive putty. Also the Miniature Linear Actuator, a 3-phase switch, two relays, two microswitch to stop the Linear Actuator before it gets to the limit.

**blackjack93117** · 01-11-2012, 12:31 AM

Nice. 10 chars of niceness.

**SiDE** · 01-11-2012, 12:34 AM

That's nice!

**B_Berry** · 01-11-2012, 02:34 PM

nice and clean installation!

as from a BMW [E39] owner to another and also a PlayBook user, again that's

**B_Berry** · 01-11-2012, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by kevin.mcca

1. Yes Headphone Jack>RCA I/O>AMP.

2. And yes you set the PB volume to 100%

3. I use stainless steel sheet and some automotive putty. Also the Miniature Linear Actuator, a 3-phase switch, two relays, two microswitch to stop the Linear Actuator before it gets to the limit.

Kevin, in the future do you plan to have a constant power/USB charger to the cig-lighter or an DC/AC inverter w/ a 120 volts rapid charger? I know that the micro USB port/rapid charger is not really on the best spot on PB, but I'm wondering if you tilt the mounting on a slight angle then you'll have the access, but another thing it may not be a good idea if you hit some bumps on the road while driving and making the PB slip out?

**kevin.mcca** · 01-11-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by B_Berry

Kevin, in the future do you plan to have a constant power/USB charger to the cig-lighter or an DC/AC inverter w/ a 120 volts rapid charger? I know that the micro USB port/rapid charger is not really on the best spot on PB, but I'm wondering if you tilt the mounting on a slight angle then you'll have the access, but another thing it may not be a good idea if you hit some bumps on the road while driving and making the PB slip out?

Of course!

but I will have to redesign the housing and make it cooler

but instead of using the headphone jack I was thinking if I could use the micro HDMI for audio, the problem is I don't know the connection to make if someone could help me!