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Hooking Up 2 Sound Sources...


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Question...

 

Does anyone know of a way to accurately hook up 2 Aux audio sources to the single Aux input jack for the Ford Edge?

 

Right now I have my Sirius hooked up into the 1/8" mini jack, a headphone splitter to turn one input into two, and the 2nd line coming in from my iPod. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast.

 

The sound from the Sirius comes through fine, but the audio coming from the iPod sounds like crap, it's a very weak signal and is very quiet and distorted. This may be because I'm using a $4 Radio Shack headphone splitter to split the Aux input...but then again it may be something else.

 

Anyone have any ideas?

 

I'm thinking that the headphone splitter is meant to split audio coming OUT...not in. But then again, maybe the direction of the signal doesn't matter?

 

Hmmm....

 

Jim

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Question...

 

Does anyone know of a way to accurately hook up 2 Aux audio sources to the single Aux input jack for the Ford Edge?

 

Right now I have my Sirius hooked up into the 1/8" mini jack, a headphone splitter to turn one input into two, and the 2nd line coming in from my iPod. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast.

 

The sound from the Sirius comes through fine, but the audio coming from the iPod sounds like crap, it's a very weak signal and is very quiet and distorted. This may be because I'm using a $4 Radio Shack headphone splitter to split the Aux input...but then again it may be something else.

 

Anyone have any ideas?

 

I'm thinking that the headphone splitter is meant to split audio coming OUT...not in. But then again, maybe the direction of the signal doesn't matter?

 

Hmmm....

 

Jim

 

It's the cheap splitter. Verify by connecting each one individually without it.

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Tried that...and each one works fine when hooked up individually directly to the AUX input. Also they both work fine individually in either of the splitters ports, but cut out when hooked up together.

 

Maybe a trip back to Radio Shack is in order?

 

Do you know of a decent small audio signal splitter?

 

Jim

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Tried that...and each one works fine when hooked up individually directly to the AUX input. Also they both work fine individually in either of the splitters ports, but cut out when hooked up together.

 

Maybe a trip back to Radio Shack is in order?

 

Do you know of a decent small audio signal splitter?

 

Jim

 

I'd try a new one from radio shack first, then try an online store or Frys electronics.

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  • 2 weeks later...

OK...so I figured out the problem.

 

The reason the sound is dicey while the 2 sound sources are plugged in is because the AC outlets inside the Edge are always on! This means that even though my Sirius tuner is turned off, it is still drawing power through the AC outlet it is plugged in to. So while I play my iPod through the splitter, there is feedback coming from the Sirius' power supply.

 

This all stops when I unplug that AC adapter from it's outlet. The iPod will then work just fine.

 

So here's a new question...

 

Is there any way to make the AC outlets inside the Edge turn off when the vehicle is turned off?

 

Or...can I incorporate some type of switch to turn off the AC outlets when not in use?

 

Jim

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OK...so I figured out the problem.

 

The reason the sound is dicey while the 2 sound sources are plugged in is because the AC outlets inside the Edge are always on! This means that even though my Sirius tuner is turned off, it is still drawing power through the AC outlet it is plugged in to. So while I play my iPod through the splitter, there is feedback coming from the Sirius' power supply.

 

This all stops when I unplug that AC adapter from it's outlet. The iPod will then work just fine.

 

So here's a new question...

 

Is there any way to make the AC outlets inside the Edge turn off when the vehicle is turned off?

 

Or...can I incorporate some type of switch to turn off the AC outlets when not in use?

 

Jim

 

Hi Jim.:D Yes, and yes.

 

In answer to the first question: Yes, you can always rewire your AC outlets to be wired to a "switched circuit", instead of the "un-switched circuit" they are wired to from the factory. Then it will turn off when the car is turned off. It is relatively easy for someone who knows how.

 

In answer to the second: Yes, you can always wire in an on/off switch to the current wiring and place the switch somewhere on your console (or wherever you like). Again, an easy modification, for someone who is handy.

 

However (and not trying to be a wiseguy), it is normally safe to assume that someone who needs to ask the above questions, probably does not currently have the expertise to do the work themselves. Therefore, you would need to pay someone to do it, or learn how to do this type of modification yourself.

 

The question then becomes is going through that trouble (and the chance of damaging your electrical system/interior pieces) worth it to you, or worth the cost to pay someone else?

 

In addition, keep in mind that if you should have any sort of other electrical problems later on, and the Dealer/Ford notices your re-wiring, your Warranty claim could (not saying definitely) be denied.

 

Might be easier to just unplug the AC adapter when not needed? Only you can answer that question.

 

I am not trying to talk you out of it, just listing the cons that go along with the pros that you already want.

 

Good luck! :beerchug:

Edited by bbf2530
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Right on...solid advice.

 

And you're right...despite being handy on many other things, specifically being a DJ with my own technical setup and a home music studio, I do lack the expertise in electronics. I would want to bring this to a specialist as I know I would f*** this up, no doubt. My fear would also be the loss of warranty as well.

 

I'm just curious how all this works. Good to know I have options. Plus it's important to know if something is even possible or worthwhile before asking someone else to do it. And if it's possible, I'll try to learn it myself. It's more fun that way.

 

I also had a scare the other day. After getting home on Friday night and leaving my Edge for about 1 1/2 days I noticed I left my Sirius Radio tuner on, and it was drawing battery power even though the vehicle was turned off for over a day. Scared that the battery died I jumped in and cranked the ignition. Luckily it turned over and all was well. My fear is that this might happen again and I might drain the battery because of some stupid mistake!!! All could be avoided if the AC power outlets were set to a "switched circuit".

 

Thanks for the feedback bbf...much appreciated.

 

Jim

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  • 3 months later...

try getting a small audio source switch they come in all different sizes with two to 5 imputs.(just an example) if you use a switch it will seperate the signals instead of trying to stack them. this should solve your problem. they should have these at radio shack.

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Question...

 

Does anyone know of a way to accurately hook up 2 Aux audio sources to the single Aux input jack for the Ford Edge?

 

Right now I have my Sirius hooked up into the 1/8" mini jack, a headphone splitter to turn one input into two, and the 2nd line coming in from my iPod. Sounds simple, right? Well, not so fast.

 

The sound from the Sirius comes through fine, but the audio coming from the iPod sounds like crap, it's a very weak signal and is very quiet and distorted. This may be because I'm using a $4 Radio Shack headphone splitter to split the Aux input...but then again it may be something else.

 

Anyone have any ideas?

 

I'm thinking that the headphone splitter is meant to split audio coming OUT...not in. But then again, maybe the direction of the signal doesn't matter?

 

Hmmm....

 

Jim

 

 

 

 

This may be my problem as well. I am thinking the dealer didn't install it correctly because when I went to pull the SAT Radio fuse. Sirius was still playing. Please read below...

 

Purchased an 08 Edge Limited with Voice Activated NAV and sync on 5/5. Oddly it did not come with Satellite Radio like I wanted. Dealer aplogized and installed it free of charge on 5/9. Prior to that when playing my IPOD thru the USB port in the console the volume was just as clean and crisp as a CD and Radio Stations - I loved it. Since the Sirius has been installed anything going to the USB (IPOD, MP3 player, etc) is extremely muffled and distorted. It is almost like whatever connects the USB to SYNC isn't connected completely. I took it back to the dealer and they said it is not the case and they will have to check with Ford to see what caused it. I haven't heard anything back and get the impression that they are ignoring me because they could be at fault. Has anyone expierenced this before? Can anyone suggest a fix?

 

Let me also add that I disconnected/reconnected the fuse hoping to reset the SYNC system like others have done when their USB devices aren't playing at all.

 

Also, the only thing that is different about my SAT install as opposed to factory install is my radio is in the dash instead of behind the spare tire because dealer didn't have enough cable to run from back of car to front. I dont' know if that would cause it????

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