Power a CD player

[Doobage]

Okay, I've got a DC outlet on my bike, but I'd like to be able to plug-in a variety of AC adapters to run a bunch of different devices (starting with a CD player).

Is there a DC inverter that is smaller and cheaper out there than this?

Inverter (http://www.dcacpowerinverter.com/?CMP=KNC-ove10)

Thanks!

[Doobage]

Actually, when I was in Walgreens yesterday, I ran across a multi DC cigarette lighter power socket thingie-majig. It has 6 different power sockets you can switch out depending on the device you are trying to power. It also allows you to control 6 or so settings of how much power you send. All this for the low-low price of $10.

I then splurged and got some Maxell ear plugs that has a volume control on the cable. They were expensive ($30) but I really felt that having a volume control that was easily accessible was a good idea.

Unfortunately my CD player seemed to be on the fritz (it's really old so I can accept that). I borrowed CD players from two of my friends. One of them skipped so bad after I got into 2nd gear that it would go silent. If I held it on my leg it would play. The other one never skipped, but it's sound quality wasn't as good.

My original plan was to place the CD walkman in the left glove box (since that is where my power outlet exists. But I found it rather bothersome trying to hit any of the buttons. I then laid it half way in my right glove box, but since you can't close it, I think rain might make that rather difficult to survive.

Has anybody mounted the CD player to their leg? Is it best suited for a tank bag? Or should I not mess with it and just wait to get an mp3 player?

Also, how many people use ear plug headphones vs. mounted helmet speakers vs. mounted external speakers vs. nothing at all. I can honestly say I enjoyed having the music with me.

In any case, I'm happy I've got a "power anything DC kit" for $10.

[STPilot]

Doob,

Sounds like you're gonna have to bite the bullet and get a new player. However, if your not ready to shell out $300 bones for an i pod, there is another solution. I was NOT going to shell out the $$ so I bought a new sony walkman. This one is a bit different, it plays cd's but it comes with software to write your own compressed cd. In other words, I put 8 albums onto one cd. Now, is the quality as good as the album, of course not, but it is good and you ARE RIDING a motorcycle. I've had great luck with this unit. I tossed it into my tank bag and used it for over 2000 miles, it has yet to skip. Icing on the cake: The unit I bought came with a remote control. I clipped the remote onto the outside of the tank bag and I can control all the stuff with ease.:headbang: It cost me $60 bux at Best Buy. (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7023008&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat27600050008&id=1099394446661) :D

[AgSTreak]

Tim, I have a similar walkman Sony with ATRAC3plus compression. Very good sound quality, no skips and over 25 hours of music (a claimed 490 tracks, I have upwards of 440) on a standard recordable CD. The bad news is that the music to fill a CD costs about $400-500 :eek: . The good news is that you can buy a Sony ATRAC player for your car :D .

[STPilot]

Tim, I have a similar walkman Sony with ATRAC3plus compression. Very good sound quality, no skips and over 25 hours of music (a claimed 490 tracks, I have upwards of 440) on a standard recordable CD. The bad news is that the music to fill a CD costs about $400-500 :eek: . The good news is that you can buy a Sony ATRAC player for your car :D .

Yep, I'm really happy with mine and I look at it this way. I already HAVE all the music. If I bought an i pod, I'd have spent another $250 bux just on the unit. :D

[STPilot]

Another point for Doobage. I wouldn't worry about power from the bike if you get something like the Sony WM. I think I remember seeing on the package that the advertised battery life is like 30 or 40 hours. I takes 1 AA battery. I haven't changed mine YET, and that includes using it off and on during my 18 hour SS1K. 1 AA batt for 30+ hours of tunes is pretty reasonable think. (yes I have an extra in the tank bag) ;) :D :cool:

[Doobage]

Thanks STPilot. I like the versatility of what you're talking about. I have about 65 GB of music (all ripped at 128k bit rate) on my server here. That seems to be the acceptable threshold for sound quality vs. size. Add any road noise to the equation and it's certainly not distinguishable.

I figure that I'll put Rush on about 3 or 4 CD's to cover most of their library and then throw in a few others. But I like the idea of being able to put in a "real" CD vs. mp3's just incase I don't write the mp3's over.

I think I'll throw a poll out there on the speaker thing.

[STPilot]

Thanks STPilot. I like the versatility of what you're talking about. I have about 65 GB of music (all ripped at 128k bit rate) on my server here. That seems to be the acceptable threshold for sound quality vs. size. Add any road noise to the equation and it's certainly not distinguishable.

I figure that I'll put Rush on about 3 or 4 CD's to cover most of their library and then throw in a few others. But I like the idea of being able to put in a "real" CD vs. mp3's just incase I don't write the mp3's over.

I think I'll throw a poll out there on the speaker thing.

I forgot to mention, I have the J&M radio with music interface and J&M headsets. I don't have any experince with ear plug type headsets or speakers. :rolleyes:

[Doobage]

I can see my farkle list is growing.

I think first on my list might be the electronic fairing since mine is an '03. I'm guessing that's $150 for parts $350 for labor, but maybe I can find some people willing to help me out...heck maybe even at a rally (4 hours?)

The J&M audio console is a must since my wife and I have begun using sign language when we get over 70 mph. Not to mention being able to share music, or have her make phone calls (on long rides), etc... ($500?)

Then I suspect I just might upgrade the seat. Probably another $500. But I'm going to wait until I meet a bunch of ST's and see if I can sit on one or two different models. Between Russell's, Corbin's or Sargeants (I'm probably missing another biggie) there seems to be lots of debate and I think my buns are the only one with the right answer.

A big metal plate to attach on the back for putting duffle bags or bass guitars on. $250?

A tank bag will need to show up. $150?

And a GPS will probably have to make it on there. ($250).

Somewhere around $2k and I should be closer to having the ride setup for indefinite voyages.

[sherob]

Your just scratching the surface @ 2k... LOL!!! It never stops... never :eek: