I want to add hidden audio to my ‘51 Plymouth. The radio actually works 50% ( turns on and starts to make noise ) I actually want to get it working as original because it’s cool. I’d like to put Bluetooth audio in it with a couple hidden speakers under the dash and not disturb the original. I’ve found these little Z-502 Bluetooth boards that are rated 5-24v which is perfect as my car is 6V. They are under $15: Only catch is its positive ground… will I need to completely isolate the speaker system somehow? I know it’s red to black and black to red but everything is metal in the car.
Just stick the amp under the dash with that double sided foam mounting tape...then run wires directly to the speakers (use modern speakers that have two wire connections, neither of which is connected to ground). Power is by a red/black wire pair, that you can connect to positive and negative however you need to. Nothing will be connected to "ground", except the red positive wire from the amp power cable. I just installed one of these in my 62 Vette, it works, but I haven't got the settings quite right, I have to turn on the music player on my phone, it does not start playing automatically when the amp turns on, like most do.
Do you think it will have enough power at 7.5v to get decent sound? I can’t find a clear video showing one running on lower voltages that it’s rated for. Seems as I could use a 12v step up converter if needed but that’s more to hide
YouTube showed me the video I was looking for. Install in a 6v + ground car. The link he gave has a NLA version but it shows the power requirements for the power outputs down to 12v. I’d estimate that I’ll probably get 10w per channel so if I use some low wattage speakers it’ll sound okay. I want to find speakers that are on brackets as I could probably zip tie them in place pretty easily…. Even though it’s not a ‘57-‘58 I want to be able to play the Christine soundtrack…. Gonna grab one of the better rated ones off Amazon. I’m sure they are all the same but as long as it’s a 502L I think it’ll work
Easy way since you are using a smart phone , just record afew hours of music Xm ect . Or live channel install blue tooth speakers system. No radio needed .
I'm thinking the same kind of thing for my Buick, replace stock located units w/ bluetooth. Been cruising with a remote speaker and Spotify for 2 seasons now. My playlists far exceed any station on the air in this era. The only drawback is having to use earphones while Highway driving the Model A, due to increased "sound" levels.
Pretty much all this little device is. A Bluetooth receiver and a low power amplifier. It has an aux jack as well for if I wanted to use an old school MP3 player. All the sound quality has to be is as good as it would have been in 1951 which I know even a tube radio, across AM isn’t good at all.
@Matt Dudley my few rides are & have No from factory radio So I use good Quality B -T speakers . You could just install non working radio Wander bar hook light so looks on .no out put , get one of those sound boxes Take apart hide speakers ect to look stock . I am in & near N Va last night I was listening to one local station on FM 04 DD original radio & a station from Ohio Fm bleed over, Do not know how that happened I guess just to write cir***stances , most Fm good for 40ish or so miles
@Okie Pete did a cool install with one of these boards. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/bluetooth-amp-placed-in-a-older-car-radio.1347224/
If my radio was beat up with no signs of life, that’s what I would do but I actually want to get the AM working just so it does. A local guy tinkers on old radios. I’ve been thinking about sending it to him. I just have to choose one of the modules. The ZK 502L I’ve verified works with 6v at acceptable levels but there is a TPA3116D2 that has better power delivery and noise cancellation for AM. That one still lists 5v but has higher outputs.. always the option of buying that one and a $20 12v converter if needed
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