Garmin 276C Audio

[chuckh]

I've run my 276C since just before the Utah 1088. It's been a great unit and a big improvement over the Garmin III Plus I had previously.

I've waited a while before building an audio cable until this weekend and with some information from John Brown on how to build one, I took the front panels off my FJR and proceeded.

The Garmin 276C has 2 leads for audio: Orange (voice -) and Brown (voice +).

These wires are left to us to connect to an audio cable that can be directly attached to helmet speakers or as a signal input into an audio signal multi-plexer (Mix-It, XMA-3, AutoComm, Baehr, etc).

To do this I purchased an audio cable from Radio Shack and a .1 mF non-polarized capacitor (part # 272-1069).

I trimmed the end off the female connector and bared the left and right wires and twisted them together as this will create a single mono-signal into my (Mix-It) in preparation for a little soldering. I pulled the already bare ground wires off both left and right wires and twisted them together.

Then, I connected the combined left and right wires of the audio cable to the Garmin Brown (voice +) wire. I simply twisted them together so I could test the cable before soldering.

Next, I connected the Garmin ground Orange wire (voice -) to one side of the .1 mF non-polarized capacitor. To the other lead from the capacitor I attached the unshielded ground wire from the audio cable.

Then I connected the audio cable directly to my helmet for testing (before soldering). Voila! It works! I then plugged the audio cable into my Mix-It and tested. Again, yahoo, it works. The Garmin 276C has sound level outputs and I adjusted the output to level "6" which gives a good over-ride level to my XM radio and V1.

I then soldered, heat shrinked and electrical taped the connections. I zip tied the audio cable to the Garmin cable to give the small gauge Garmin wires less opportunity to be exposed to tension.

I'm not an audio or electrical expert, but this worked well for me.

YMMV, don't try this at home, proceed at your own risk...

[bpeterson]

thanks for the great detail Chuck, do you perhaps remember the part number you used for the audio cable from Radio Shack?

-Brian

[chuckh]

Originally Posted by bpeterson

thanks for the great detail Chuck, do you perhaps remember the part number you used for the audio cable from Radio Shack?
-Brian

Sorry Brian I don't have the audio cable part number. I purchased the audio cable some time ago. You just need a standard stereo audio cable with a typical 1/8 inch male and female connector to connect to your audio mixer (Autocom, Mix-It, XMA-3, Baehr, etc) unit or directly to your helmet speakers. You can buy one at Radio Shack, Circuit City, etc.

[doc riverz]

Originally Posted by chuckh

...I trimmed the end off the female connector and bared the left and right wires and twisted them together as this will create a single mono-signal into my (Mix-It) in preparation for a little soldering. I pulled the already bare ground wires off both left and right wires and twisted them together.Then, I connected the combined left and right wires of the audio cable to the Garmin Brown (voice +) wire. I simply twisted them together so I could test the cable before soldering. Next, I connected the Garmin ground Orange wire (voice -) to one side of the .1 mF non-polarized capacitor. To the other lead from the capacitor I attached the unshielded ground wire from the audio cable....

Jeebus! I love it when you talk all sexy like this!

[bpeterson]

Originally Posted by chuckh

Sorry Brian I don't have the audio cable part number. I purchased the audio cable some time ago. You just need a standard stereo audio cable with a typical 1/8 inch male and female connector to connect to your audio mixer (Autocom, Mix-It, XMA-3, Baehr, etc) unit or directly to your helmet speakers. You can buy one at Radio Shack, Circuit City, etc.

no problem, i thought you bought just the plug, but you bought the whole kit & kaboodle. thanks again for the detailed writeup.

[Jarvis]

what does the cap do here? Load balancer?

[Fastman]

Originally Posted by Jarvis

what does the cap do here? Load balancer?

It blocks DC current component from getting into an audio amplifier circuit. For audio, all you want is the AC component.

[bacon]

Thanks for the information perfect timing. I'm getting to do the same thing but did not know how to start now I do. Thanks for your time.

[mackdaddy]

Hey Chuck,

Thanks for the info. I purchased the parts from the Shack. I also purchases a 1/8" male to male mono audio cable. From the diagram I see how to hook up from the Garmin line to the capacitor. How do I get the connection to the audio cable? Any pics would be greatly appreciated

[doc riverz]

Yo Chuck

Any photos of your cool set-up?

[chuckh]

Originally Posted by doc riverz

Yo Chuck

Any photos of your cool set-up?

Garmin now makes a nice audio cable that I purchased from GPSDiscount.com for $25.00 (SKU 010-10587-00) that I use now Dave.

And, I power the Mix-It with a unit that I bought online, but I can't seem to find the URL tonight. I'm running on empty as my body clock thinks it is 5 AM and I've been up for over 24 hours so I need to go get some shut eye. I can take some pictures of my setup tomorrow if your still interested.

Here's a nice write-up: http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling...nd2/index.html

Here's a nice mount:
http://www.handymountproducts.com/Sa...-Arm-Mount.htm

Here's a power converter similar to what I installed about a year ago:
http://www.myradiostore.us/power-acc...r-adapter.html

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by chuckh

To the other lead from the capacitor I attached the unshielded ground wire from the audio cable.

I'm trying to do this...

this is the only part I'm not getting. If you've connected both ends of the audio cable together as described, where is this ground wire coming from?

Yes. I'm thick

[MajorDog]

"Garmin now makes a nice audio cable that I purchased from GPSDiscount.com for $25.00 (SKU 010-10587-00) that I use now Dave. "

greetings..

Chuckh.. What was your experience with GPSDiscount.com? Good to deal with? Has anyone else had any experience with them?

thanks,

MajorDog

[Day13]

Chuckh.. What was your experience with GPSDiscount.com? Good to deal with? Has anyone else had any experience with them?

thanks,

MajorDog

I've dealt with them for years and they are top notch. Cheap, quick, and usually throw in a free T-shirt!

David

[boatworker]

Originally Posted by Day13

I've dealt with them for years and they are top notch. Cheap, quick, and usually throw in a free T-shirt!

David

+1