hooking up mp3 player

[jimnvalk]

ok i am technology challenged when it comes to electronics.  What kind of hook up do i need.  I know that it needs a small male pin for both ends, but evidently they are differenr kinds.  I have one that fits the mp3 player and the aux plug under right side panel, but will not play.  I switched the plugs but still nothing.  Help please

[Houdini]

I have one that fits the mp3 player and the aux plug under right side panel, but will not play.

If you are talking about an Interstate this setup will work just switch to AUX. I've done it with two different MP3 players and they both worked great.

[jimnvalk]

I tried that but it would not play.  the ear plugs i have have 2 rings around the plug and it works fine.  The wire i have to try on the valk has one ring on one plug and 3 on the other. Does this make a difference.

[Houdini]

The wire i have to try on the valk has one ring on one plug and 3 on the other. Does this make a difference.

Yep.  They have an extension at Radio Shack, I paid about six bucks for mine; it runs under the tank and up to an MP3 holder on the handlebars.  It's a male to male mini RCA jack I believe but ask the experts....

This one is too long but an example of what you need.

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=2735&sk=MC71419&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Feed-_-CSE-_-Text&utm_source=google-product-search&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=190%2B0347&utm_campaign=product-search

[grego]

Yep as said prior you want a stereo plug (2 rings) on either end.
Make sure you are on AUX on I/S audio
Also make sure to turn up the volume      on the MP3 Player    
(I set mine at about 90%)
more mp3 volume = louder volume range out of the IS system
and I sometimes forget to hit 'play'    
and [ahem] sometimes I leave the switch set to helmet/earphones and have to flip it to external speakers when not using the helmet earphones

[Rocketman]

The wire i have to try on the valk has one ring on one plug and 3 on the other. Does this make a difference.

Yep.  They have an extension at Radio Shack, I paid about six bucks for mine; it runs under the tank and up to an MP3 holder on the handlebars.  It's a male to male mini RCA jack I believe but ask the experts....

This one is too long but an example of what you need.

http://www.cyberguys.com/product-details/?productid=2735&sk=MC71419&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Feed-_-CSE-_-Text&utm_source=google-product-search&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=190%2B0347&utm_campaign=product-search

RCA jack is not the correct term.  That will get you a cable like one that you might use to go from your DVD player to your TV.
You want exactly what Houdini linked to (although, as he said, 12 ft. might be overkill).  Male to male, 3.5 mm (AKA 1/8") audio cable.

I'm not sure what you mean by one ring and three rings.  There should be three silver, separated by two black rings.  plug one end into the player, and one into the aux plug under the right side cover.  Verify you've got radio sound, then switch over to AUX.  Hit play on your player, and crank it up (I set it for full volume, personally).  That should do the trick.

[jimnvalk]

Thanks everyone I am on my way to Radio Shack today and get one.  I printed out the info Houdini sent me to take with me.  I attached a pic to show what mine looks like

[RainMaker]

Not sure what that cable in the picture goes to, but it definitely won't work with the MP3/Aux setup.

One warning - the cable Houdini told you to get will work, but your music will play slower since it is a black cable........

[Houdini]

One warning - the cable Houdini told you to get will work, but your music will play slower since it is a black cable........

My coworkers must think I'm crazy 'cause I truly busted out laughing reading this.  Thanks RM, good one.

[jimnvalk]

got the cable and now just have to run it.  I guess RM i will have to paint it.

[jimnvalk]

Up and running for a $1.  Thanks for all the advice.  Now I can listen to some real motorcycle riding tunes. 

[jimnvalk]

ok for  problem, when i hook up my player and crank the engine i get spark noise, how do I get rid of that?  Thanks

[Wanderer]

 If the noise changes pitch with the RPM's of your engine, you have a "ground loop"; typical when you power an audio device off of a vehicle. One solution if that is the case...http://www.electricalconnection.com/audio/filter-gli.htm

Kennedy has the goods too, but good luck with their web site, http://www.cellset.com/motorcycleitems.html You might just phone them. You have to call to order anyway.

Let us know when you get all jacket up! ~Jeff