Here’s how to install your converted system:
This image shows the additional connections your head unit will now have after conversion, and the additional connections fitted to the CD player. This guide shows a non-TV unit – the TV equipped units have identical connectivity but due to the different chassis some of the components and wiring are exposed on the back of the unit like this, so extra care should be taken not to damage any parts:
Normal non-TV model:
You then need to identify the following parts that you have either ordered separately or received as part of a pre-built conversion – this is what you’ll have if your car has the STANDARD AUDIO system (scroll down for ALPINE PREMIUM systems):
If your car has the PREMIUM AUDIO system you’ll have the following (an additional Digital to Analogue converter, power cable, and twin phono cable:
The Odroid unit can be hidden under the passenger footwell and tucked away up on top of the ECU module (metal box attached under the glovebox). All cables can then run under the glovebox and enter the area at the rear of the head unit ready for connection.
The GPS module should be installed up on the dash in the corner of the window at the passenger side. This avoids the heater wires in the windscreen (where fitted) and will give the strongest signal. There is no need to remove the adhesive base (if fitted), as it’s secure enough without:
The cable is easily fed down under the glovebox to the Odroid by temporarily removing the dash side trim panel revealed when the passenger door is opened:
Don’t be tempted to hide the GPS module away in the glovebox or behind the dash – it may appear to work initially but won’t receive a strong enough signal to get a GPS lock.
The connection process then is as follows:
TIP: Some of the connectors can easily be accidentally disconnected during the install, it might be helpful to secure each plug & socket together with a small piece of PVC tape
The USB hub will be located behind the touchscreen/CD unit when it is mounted in the dash. Connect the following devices to the USB hub:
- Plug the TOUCHSCREEN USB connector into the USB HUB
- Plug the ARDUINO USB connector into the USB HUB
- Plug the CD CONTROL USB connector into the USB HUB
Then plug the USB extension cable into the hub and run the cable under the glovebox to the Odroid location. You can attach the hub to the rear of the touchscreen with a self-adhesive pad like this (except the TV-equipped versions due to the boards being exposed on the back):
Next there are USB devices that should be connected into the Odroid computer:
- Plug the BLUETOOTH USB module into one of the main ODROID USB ports
- Plug the WIFI USB module into one of the main ODROID USB ports
- Plug the USB GPS RECEIVER into one of the main ODROID USB ports
- Plus the USB Extension Cable that runs to the hub into the last USB port
Connect the power to the Odroid:
- Plug the ODROID POWER cable into the ODROID power jack and the other end into the 12V POWER connector on the head unit
Connect the HDMI video cable from the Odroid to the touchscreen:
- Plug the HDMI CABLE into the ODROID and the HDMI INPUT socket on the head unit
Connect the audio cables to the aux-input on the CD player:
- If your car is fitted with STANDARD AUDIO:
- Plug one end of the SPDIF EXTENSION cable into the ODROID SPDIF OUT socket, and the other end to the AUX AUDIO IN on the head unit – don’t worry if the cable colour differs from the socket colour
- If your car is fitted with PREMIUM AUDIO:
- Plug one end of the SPDIF EXTENSION cable into the ODROID SPDIF OUT socket, and the other end to the input of the DAC
- Plug the Red/Black plugs of one end of the ANALOGUE AUDIO EXTENSION cable into the L/R audio out of the DAC, and the other end into the AUX AUDIO IN on the CD player
- Connect the DAC POWER CABLE mini USB plug into the DAC and the other end into the micro-USB socket on the ODROID using the OTG-MICRO-USB-ADAPTER
Add the optional WAKE-UP cable (this starts the Odroid booting up when you unlock the car, for a faster startup):
- Plug the UNLOCK WAKEUP CABLE into the UNLOCK WAKE UP connector on the head unit. The bare ends then need to be wired in parallel with the passenger footwell illumination lamp in order to receive a wakeup trigger when the car is unlocked.
- You can remove the lamp holder from its bracket by giving it a half turn and lifting it out, which will give you better access to the wiring
- The Orange wire of the UNLOCK WAKEUP CABLE connects to the BROWN/WHITE striped wire going to the lamp socket (+12v). The BLACK/WHITE wire is Ground and should connect to the Black wire of the UNLOCK WAKEUP CABLE. You may choose to extract the terminals of the lamp socket and solder your wires to the metal tabs, or alternatively splice into the wires ensuring they are insulated from accidental short-circuit.
- If can be helpful to test the polarity with a multimeter across the footwell lamp to if in doubt. Your meter should read +12v when the lamp is lit, which indicates that the wire on the RED probe of your meter is +12v and the BLACK is Ground.
It will look like this:
AUDIO GROUND CONNECTION
For Alpine Premium audio only, you may need to add an additional ground wire to reduce interference heard on the audio.
Install a thick wire (as short as possible) connected to the shield of one phono plug (you can trap it in the shield, just avoiding it touching the centre pin) like this:
Then at the other end under one of the screws on the chassis:
This will minimise any audio interference. Remember to also ensure that you always keep the Android volume setting to maximum, then use the Jaguar volume control to adjust the volume.
Now power everything up and enjoy your system!
Note that with the Odroid N2 you have to first register the device with Google Play so that you can download Apps from the Play Store. Please click here for instructions.
Have a read of the Next Steps page for recommended Apps and add-ons