Music Input

[f1rocket]

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Dear Randy:

We both must be missing something on this one.

In a proper install, ALL iPods that we have tried (and we have tried just about every one since Apple started shipping these little jewels) and we have demonstrated more than enough volume.

Question, could you have accidentally purchased the cable the interfaces your iPod to the PM3000 from Radio Shack and got hold of the one that is really meant for camcorders? If so, there is a 10:1 divider in that particular cable.

We have seen this many a times.

When we returned the unit to you, it would have had to meet our specifications, as stated on the yellow tag we included with the return of your PM3000. This document states that we have tested the system and it met all specifications, including music volume.

I will stay with you on this until it is successfully resolved, my name is riding on it.

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering, Inc.
865-988-9800
mscheuer@ps-engineering.com

Okay Mark, I'll take you up on this.

If you have a moment, can you go to this link http://www.pflanzer-aviation.com/PDF%20Files/Intercom.pdf. This is the wiring diagram for my intercomm. Let's make sure that I haven't done something that I souldn't have. I do have some Aux voice imputs wired in so maybe these are affecting things.

I use LightSPEED 30-3G headsets and my Rocket is wired exactly according to this diagram. I look forward to your response.

[mscheuer]

Hi Randy:

I don't see the audio return line for the iPod. Without that, you will get the exact same results as you are seeing. You will need a Left Channel, Right Channel, and an audio return.

Also, what you have done at the Aircraft Radio input is something I just have to tell you that you should not do. Of course you can, it's and experimental, but it is a bad practice. Input impedance will no longer be 510 ohms and that may have effects on these audio lines.

(Did you install the Axillary Mic and Headphone jacks?)

Let me know what happens to your music level after you add this all important wire.

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering

Originally Posted by f1rocket

Okay Mark, I'll take you up on this.

If you have a moment, can you go to this link http://www.pflanzer-aviation.com/PDF...s/Intercom.pdf. This is the wiring diagram for my intercomm. Let's make sure that I haven't done something that I souldn't have. I do have some Aux voice imputs wired in so maybe these are affecting things.

I use LightSPEED 30-3G headsets and my Rocket is wired exactly according to this diagram. I look forward to your response.

[mscheuer]

Great about the flashing Com 3 buttons when pressed, good stuff.

If you want, you are more than welcomed to send your phone into us and we'll take it to our bench and determine what is wrong and what can be done. Just let me know and I'll give you an RMA number.

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering

Originally Posted by frankh

The patch cable has a 3/32nd plug at one end and a 1/8th at the other...Cable came with my Lightspeed headphones.

Interestingly I get the same trouble when I plug the cell directly into the lightspeed headphones...I swapped the cable no difference.

I then plugged in a cheesy "handsfree" headset into the phone and that worked fine..So i assumed the phone must be OK.

So I got a new cable...same effect...Hmm...

As to the Ps7000 I did press the com 3 transmit and it does flash quickly.

I'm wondering if this patch cable supply is wired right?..

Frank

[f1rocket]

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Hi Randy:

I don't see the audio return line for the iPod. Without that, you will get the exact same results as you are seeing. You will need a Left Channel, Right Channel, and an audio return.

Okay, I'll try this. What pin does it connect to?

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Also, what you have done at the Aircraft Radio input is something I just have to tell you that you should not do. Of course you can, it's and experimental, but it is a bad practice. Input impedance will no longer be 510 ohms and that may have effects on these audio lines.

I didn't do this, a "professional" radio shop pre-wired this to handle multiple audio inputs from the GNS430 and EFIS. What is the proper way to connect these inputs?

Originally Posted by mscheuer

(Did you install the Axillary Mic and Headphone jacks?)

Nope.

Thanks for your quick feedback Mark.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by RV8TOR

Just wondering if anyone had a better recommendation about music inputs. I am planning on using the 1/8" stereo plug jack going into the PS-3000 for my iPod input. Thanks,

As PS Engineering said, you should be fine. I don't mean to disagree with anyone, but just in general, there can be a big impedance mismatch. Other intercoms with out a good pre-amplified aux input, like the PS Eng unit might have, can suffer from impedance mismatch, making Aux input source volume too low, even with the volume full.

The iPod has 32 ohm impedance output/headphones; other portable devices about the same or 24 or 16 ohm. The audio input impedance to intercoms can be about 600 ohms (to 1000 ohms). So a matching transformer can help the volume problem. It's passive (no battery needed) You can buy a ready made stereo/stereo impedance matching box or you can roll your own for about $15-$20. (see two LINKS below):

Impedance match about $35

Radio Shack part (It's 8 ohm / 1,000 ohm with center tap, close enough, roll your own, two needed for stereo. There may be better but for $3 and convience, Radio Shack works.)

The high side of the transformer (intercom side) has a center tap. You may use it, you may not, experiment. If going from STEREO to MONO the matching transformers can kill two birds, match impedance match but combine L&R stereo to mono. Use the center tap in this case. You should never tie L & R channels of stereo together directly, its poor form, may even damage your portable device.

[groucho]

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Dear Brian:

I could NOT recommend the PM501 for you, it will not give you the results you so richly deserve in your RV-6. The PM501 is an intercom with just on VOX circuit, does not mute music during aircraft radio reception and is not designed to work in loud aircraft (no offense).

Either the PM1000II (part #11922 and is only about $70 more) or the PM3000A (11931a and this one provides 2 unswitched inputs) would be much better for you.

Great, thanks for the input. I'll check into them.

[mscheuer]

Pin 1

Please go to our web site for the PM3000A (www.ps-engineering.com/pm3000.shtml) and download the installation manual. This will be very helpful for you to see how this intercom needs to be installed.

Our music input in the PM3000A is differential, it is NOT referenced to ground. Without this audio return line, this circuit just can't work.

This input is differential do eliminate ground loop noise, a noise this is common with systems that reference the music reference to ground.

Mark

Originally Posted by f1rocket

Okay, I'll try this. What pin does it connect to?


I didn't do this, a "professional" radio shop pre-wired this to handle multiple audio inputs from the GNS430 and EFIS. What is the proper way to connect these inputs?


Nope.

Thanks for your quick feedback Mark.

[mscheuer]

Randy, those additional inputs should be installed into inputs that are considered "unswitched".

If you have our PM3000A (part number 11931A) this intercom has two of these unswitched inputs. That's where those other signals should have gone.

Unfortunately, most other intercoms, including all of our other ones other than the PM3000A, don't have these unswitched inputs and there really aren't any good solutions.

That's the problem we solved when we added these two inputs to the PM3000A

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering

Originally Posted by mscheuer View Post
Also, what you have done at the Aircraft Radio input is something I just have to tell you that you should not do. Of course you can, it's and experimental, but it is a bad practice. Input impedance will no longer be 510 ohms and that may have effects on these audio lines.
I didn't do this, a "professional" radio shop pre-wired this to handle multiple audio inputs from the GNS430 and EFIS. What is the proper way to connect these inputs?

[frankh]

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Great about the flashing Com 3 buttons when pressed, good stuff.

If you want, you are more than welcomed to send your phone into us and we'll take it to our bench and determine what is wrong and what can be done. Just let me know and I'll give you an RMA number.

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering

I'll dink around with it for a bit and see..Its not like its an essential feature, just a nice to have... But if no joy I'll take you up on the offer

Cheers

Frank

[FrankK90989]

I have a 501 installed in my "9" and it is working just fine--- maybe? Now you have me wondering on just what I am missing. looking at the plans it would be a easy retrofit to the PM1000II but if it's just for music I think I'll pass.

Originally Posted by mscheuer

Dear Brian:

I could NOT recommend the PM501 for you, it will not give you the results you so richly deserve in your RV-6. The PM501 is an intercom with just on VOX circuit, does not mute music during aircraft radio reception and is not designed to work in loud aircraft (no offense).

Either the PM1000II (part #11922 and is only about $70 more) or the PM3000A (11931a and this one provides 2 unswitched inputs) would be much better for you.

There are so many reasons to go with either one of those two I don't know where to start. So I'll just say trust me......or better yet, you can look at them at www.ps-engineering.com/pm1000.shtml and www.ps-engineering.com/pm3000.shtml

The PM501 just does not provide the value as these other two. Why do we sell it? Because there are those who we never get a chance to talk with, and they will make their buying decision on price (typically these pilots are are extremely price conscience) but want to buy PS Engineering because they hear good things about us.

Besides, the faceplate of the 1000II and 3000 are anodized aluminum (instead of a vinyl decal) and will cover up all of the existing holes used to mount the SPA400.

Finally, and this is going to sound harsh, but I really need to be frank with you, if you are not planning on building a brand new harness for any of our intercoms, you will be better off with staying with the SPA400. The harnesses are in now way compatible and you will NOT be happy with our intercom's performance unless you wire it exactly as our prints.

This in the long run will keep both of us happy.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering