Adding Tunes to the Scooter
Eric asked me to post the Tunes mod I added to my scoot. I’ve installed this system on two scooters this summer, so I guess it makes me an “expertâ€. The system I installed is a stereo speaker kit which I purchased online under $70. The kit included 2 waterproof speakers, a high power 100 Watt amplifier (not waterproof) with 2 stereo input jacks, audio cable, power cable and universal speaker mounting brackets. The system has an easy connection to audio output devices like iPods, portable CD players, satellite radios, Walkman, etc.
Installation of the system takes a little planning, but can be accomplished in under an hour. Here is quick guide to the installation on my scoot.
Step 1
The speakers are attached to the brackets and then attached to the mirrors. The speaker wires were fed through to the front hatch.
Step 2
The amp was mounted inside the front hatch leaving some space for air to flow around it. The speaker wires are connected and the power wire is run underneath the scooter to the battery. The amp has a power on/off button. The more expensive speaker kits have a wired remote to control the power from an alternative location. I didn’t think it was necessary to attach another box to the scoot. The audio input wire has been run to a jack purchased from Radio Shack.
Step 3 (optional)
I installed a jack to eliminate having the audio input wire from the amp daggling. This was done mostly for aesthetics. I use a male to male connection from the iPod to the jack.
Step 4
The power wires were run underneath the scooter from the amp and fed up to the battery. I keep the iPod in my pocket while riding, but it makes operating the controls a little difficult. I am looking into a waterproof holder to attach permanently to my scooter. My neighbor (the second installation) has a Nano which we attached using Velcro to his scoot.
If anyone would like to know where to purchase the speaker kit or help installing one, please feel free to ask.
