Tapping Into an Eclipse Head Unit

I am a newbie who just got my 30 gig Rio. I currently have an Eclipse 55430 head unit in my car, which I want to run the Rio into. There is no aux inputs on the headunit, but it does have cd changer controls. Has anyone ever tapped into these controls to hook up the unit? Any info would be great. BTW, if you were wondering why I don't use the rio as my main headunit, it is because the eclipse has 3 sets of 5V preouts which I use for my speakers and subs. Thanks.

You can still drive speakers and subs with the Rio as you main head unit. Details here.

If you already have external amps running at line-level, you can use the Sony XA-39 II switcher to have them both connected. Details here.

Thanks. I realized that I can still run the subs or do a switcher, but what I really wanna do is find a way to send the Rio into the eclipse unit without using a FM modulator. It is nice for me to have seperate subwoofer control.

Getting a factory stereo to cough up its CD changer inputs is difficult (impossible in some cases), so you need to start seriously thinking about having the Rio as your only head unit.

If you are afraid because you don't want to give up CD's, don't be. You will not miss the CD player one bit. The whole point of having the Rio is so that you can go completely CD-free, so just do it and enjoy it.

I think htat IF it is possible, it's going to be a piece made by Eclipse for that purpose. That's how it is with the Sony anyway. A good stereo shop selling Eclipse components should be able to tell you if they have done something like this before. Don't tell them you have an Empeg, or you'll get funky answers. Just tell them you want to hook "Another stereo" into those inputs.

Also, if the sub control is of importance, do you have other options there? My Rockford Fosgate subs have a little device that connects to the amp by a phone cord, and is basically a remote volume control of sorts just for that amp. Many other companies can do this, possibly yours can too?

Hey tracerbullet, do you own a 3g eclipse? I think I have seen you on the club3g message board. I am bravo1540 on that board. Anyhow, I dont think i will be giving up the cd. I know I wont really use them, but it is always nice incase a friend wants to listen to one of their cds or something.

You don't have to give up the CD when you make the Empeg your head unit. The Empeg Aux In is fantastic and you can sen your CD Head unit into that. That is what I did and it works great.

Exactly, take the outputs from the Eclipse and stick them into the inputs of the Empeg. Use the gains on the amps to set your volume levels for the rear speakers and the sub. Easy and free.

If you really do want a volume control on the sub, see what I was talking about above. I thought of another thing - if you're into the bass, perhaps something like Audiocontrol's Epicenter - it is small and has a small remote volume adjustment.

Yep, on the 3g board as the same name.

Eclipse does not have a device to allow tapping in to the CD changer inputs. I had this same issue when I put the stereo system in my wife's truck. In it we have a Eclipse 55060 head unit in it. If you want full details on that system check out her trucks profile on our web site. (www.autotoyz.org) To get around this we had our installers put in a 22010 EQ unit with the head unit, and the MP3 player. It has a built in A/B switch and gives you the ability to tailor the sound configuration to your taste.

what's the 3g board ?

I assume 3g refers to 3rd Generation Eclipse... This is the current design. The 2nd Gen (2g) were the Eclipses and Eagle Talons with big wings on the back. The 1g's almost looked like the old Plymoth Laser.

I think there is a web site just for the 3g DSM guys. (DSM = Diamond Sport Motors: meaning all Eclipses and Talons... not sure if that includes Stealths and 3000 GT's or not... )

Edit: http://www.club3g.com

check out www.rcainput.com
they have some really neat stuff that may help you

www.neweclipse.org , and www.eclipseforums.org .

Basically all 3g Eclipses, with some Avengers thrown in for good mix (same platform).

You can find them at http://www.eclipseforums.org/ It's a wonderful site. I just bought a 2002 Eclipse GS about a month ago and went looking for a good discussion forum, and found that one. It is a very nice resource.

2G Eclipses came in three varieties of "wings", none, the low kind, or the arch. The Eagle Talons had crescent style "wings" closer to the rear hatch. You can't characterize the second generation by the "wings."

The second generation are the curvey sexy ones with the hood bump. The third generation has no similar bump. The first generation are the block wedges of cheese with or without the power bump. :-D

Calvin

Crankwalk!!! (heehee Sorry!)

My DSM knowledge is from a friend of mine that has a sweeeeet 2g Eclipse GS-T. I'll post a pic if I can find one. Amazing what you can do with those things for such little cash. Sad Mitsu doesn't do turbo on them anymore... (all the WRX's have Mitsu sourced turbos if that counts!).

As promised.... pic of my buddy's car...

Enjoy the above pic while you can.... my friend just had these wheels stolen AND THE CAR LEFT ON THE GROUND last night from his parking garage....

GEEZ! Can anyone enter this parking garage? Makes me scared, in my complex I thought our parking garage was totally safe.

A sad, sad pic....

At least they were nice enough to leave your friend that cool cinderblock as a replacement.