My Power Acoustik radio journey

OK, I know there is the big thread on the CP-71w radio, but I wanted to put some of my discoveries and hints into a separate thread so in the future it will be easier to find. Plus some of these things are useful for any non-oem radio.

1st things first, I was originally very adamant about not changing my radio and trying to keep everything stock, so anything I did must be reversible back to my Becker 6112 radio with the Ferrari navigation. I went though a lot trying to get the radio navigation working and getting the iPhone interface working correctly that I was not really wanting to update my radio, but the big thread on the PA radio got me thinking... and teased me into buying the CP-71 from Walmart and to playing around with it using a bench supply outside of the car. I figured worst case I will just have a new toy project and never install it.

Background,
I have a 2009 F430 with Bose HiFi, factory Becker 6112 with Navigation and factory iPod interface upgraded to the lightening connector so I can charge my phone.

The Pre-install,

I received my Becker radio just before the 2.0 software update and figured I'd hack the android to replace the boot screen and background with something more Ferrari looking. Here is where PA first caused me some headache. They are using a pretty locked down custom GUI shell that was tricky to get access to the internal storage and just as I was making progress someone posted that the 2.0 software not only added Android Play, something I don't need, but allowed you to replace the boot screen and wallpaper right from the settings GUI. So I managed to format an old Kingston 32GB USB key on my Mac (did a very secure format in FAT32) which took about 6 hours. I downloaded and unzipped the update and worked 1st time.

I then spent some time playing in Pixelmator Pro to create the what I think is the perfect boot screen for my 430 coupe and various other models (the other thread has all my screens)...

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I even created a wallpaper with the Ferrari logo that looks like it's part of the PA screen layout

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Next step, I needed a harness and here is where it becomes interesting...

With the Bose amp, there isn't a lot of information on line. I found some data about the Maserati version and it implied that I needed line out level audio from the radio to the Bose amp. In the Becker documentation it showed that the a separate ISO connector was used for this, so I bought a sacrificial cable to create a harness for that. Here was my 1st mistake. This is not how Ferrari and Bose setup the amp in the 430. They used speaker level outs to the Bose amp without even using the Becker subwoofer/crossover. So when I finally had a chance to remove the radio, I noticed the harness with connector for the line out for a Becker isn't even there. Another member here GogglesPisano has the Bose and said he didn't need the extra connector and just plugged the RCA plugs from the Amazon harness below and it all worked. he was right.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007WRQG2

You will also need the radio adapter plug
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CYX2SM2

Even though the radio has a GPS antenna, I don't think it's necessary because the software from PA doesn't; have android maps, only Carplay/AndroidPlay navigation. I have the factory GPS antenna installed and just left the cable unconnected. If it turns out I need it installed, I'll have to get an adapter.

What I didn't know initially was that I needed an extra wire for the reverse camera which required me buying second Metra harness adapter since you really can't find the ISO connectors here in the states and they are very specific to the Metra harness. I tried buying a cheap RedWolf plug from Amazon and it's pins didn't fit the Metra so I needed to order a Metra one. I have spare wires now, so if anyone needs a wire with pin to install a reverse camera, I have some spares.

I also bought some harness tape similar to what OEMs use and armed with my Weller soldering station, flux, leaded Kester solder, flux remover and an assortment of heat shrink tubing I created my harness, first without the reverse wire, then later updated with the reverse wire...

I forgot to take a picture of the harness, but it pretty much looks like everyone else's.

A couple of things to mention for the wiring harness for people who are customizing their install. The PA's Front camera line (pink/black) from the smaller connector provides a low amp 12V switched by the radio selection of Front Camera. The Reverse Camera line on the main connector on the PA is completely compatible with the Becker Reverse Camera trigger line (pink wire). The Auto-Antenna (blue) is a 12V low amp switched line with the Radio on. It can be used as the amp trigger or you can use the Amp-Control line (blue/white) on the smaller connector. I used the Amp-Control line for the Bose and the Auto-Antenna (blue) line to power a small wireless video receiver for my rear camera. When I tear the interior apart to replace my rear window in the fall, I'll run a hard line for the camera.

Next up the actual frame install. In order to get a tight fit and make sure that I don't need to remove the universal mount, I used some tin-snips, a Dremel and a file to modify the universal mount. I also removed the whole front frame so I can tighten everything up and replace my window switches since I was in there (I tried to repair a broken switch, which did work, but cosmetically it had a blemish on one that bothered me so I replaced both).

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This is also a good opportunity to check if your vents have any broken tabs and be prepared to order a new vent if you do. I know you can silicone them in, but that's not my style and they are beyond plastic repair when they break.

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and then reinstall the panel, then connect up the harness, antenna, and all the rest.
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And then you have a fully installed radio...
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Now onto the rear camera...

I purchased a spare rear license plate light glass from an older model which is still compatible with the 430, but is a more robust black plastic with a regular light bulb. This is the same part number as the 430 one, just an old revision that used a different bulb and was made of multiple plastic pieces instead of a single clear piece with the black around the edges coming from the foam seal.

Using a plexiglass drill bit on the clear part and some black RTV to seal everything up and make it look like a factory style gasket I was able to create a new light figure with the camera built in very similar to what Ferrari did for their factory camera install when the released the upgraded dealer installed radio option. I also added an LED bulb with a slight yellow tint to match the existing bulb on the other side and some thick aluminum foil folded over as a heat shield. The foil was not really needed, but just in case.
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Then I removed the grommet in the back for the license plate wires, fed my wire though and put the grommet back. Sounds easy, but it's not. 1st tip, remove the heat shielding (not sure if this is only for cars with Challenge rear grill) so you can see the grommet and push it out using a small plastic pry tool from inside the bumper. You will need the tool to push it back in once you add your camera wire but it's not very easy to do since now the wire bundle is thicker you are trying to push back in. Be patient and also use your fingers on the bumper side to help pull and turn the grommet.

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Here is my final result...

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I'll try to take more pictures later today or tomorrow of how I power the camera and wireless transmitter from the reverse light indicator using a custom harness. The car is on the lift to make it easier to work on the camera install by moving it up and down into a more comfortable position.

 

One more thing I forgot. before I installed the radio, I carefully cut out the plastic blocks that prevent you from inserting the radio removal tool on the PA. Doing this while the radio is out allows you to get clean cuts with an X-acto knife and then I was able to clean up the inside using a black acrylic paint marker. I also wrapped the outside edge of the radio mount with the black harness tape and attached some small pieces of black plastic that had been cut to allow the removal tool to slip though. All of this means while you can see the holes on either side of the radio for the removal tool, when you look inside them, it's black without showing any of the silver of the side of the radio or the mount.

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My camera included a bunch of different mounting wedges. I didn't use one. The angle seemed ok from the limited use I had of it so far. I guess I'll find out tomorrow, I have a buddy coming over to borrow my lift so he can change his oil on his car so the 430 and my GT3 need to move out of the garage.

 

The license plate light is the same part number as the 430. You just need to find the older version...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363503794284

and the camera I chose was...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H852D49/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I know there are cheaper cameras, but I wanted a metal one not plastic.

 

Guess so on some models… it does include the foam weather seal which I guess wouldn’t be needed for the frunk light.

here is the newer version listed as the license plate lights
https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part/7521/ferrari/186180/rear-license-plate-light.html

 

I cut the loop that disables the parking lines. I decided to use the adjustable lines in the radio and not the lines the camera puts in the image. I assume the camera lines are calibrated to the lens distortion, but I'd rather set it up myself so that the lines are adjusted to my car.

 

Here is a picture of the harness I made to get power for the camera and the video transmitter. I used weatherproof connectors, multiple sizes of heat shrink tubing and sealed everything up using liquid electrical tape to make it all water proof just in case.

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and with everything tucked in and tied up...

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I do have the Scuding Swiss LED tail lights, so you can see I'm plugged into the original harness before the Scuding LED controller.

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I used a 2.4 ghz wireless transmitter from Amazon. When I do my rear interior window this fall I’ll most likely have them run a video cable through the interior since a lot of the panels need to come off anyway.

 

OK, here is an update. Got to do a little driving earlier today. The transmitter location is not perfect for the video. It does cut out. I'll move the transmitter closer to the firewall over the weekend. Worst case I'll wait till the fall to use a hard wire.

I also worked a little on the wallpaper. It looks better when you crop the image (not resize the image) to 1024x469. I also created a Bose version and played with the Ferrari logo location a little...

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OK, had a bunch of time to start messing with the wallpaper... I was able to create new wallpapers for both the 430 bose/non-bose and 360 which use the top area for the logo. I only found one edge case in the radio where it doesn't work which might be rare... When you go to BT phone and don't actually have a BT phone attached the logo is over a piece of text with the bluetooth name CP-71W. In a normal use case... you would never see it. I'll add the assets to the https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/new-contender-for-single-din-carplay.691443/ thread.

Here are pics in my car.

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Here is the edge case when you don't have a BT phone connected and select to use the phone.

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I also never posted a picture of the reverse camera image.

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OK, new update... I moved the transmitter because it kept cutting out...

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But that wasn't it...

Funny enough when I was moving my iPhone around to take some pics when troubleshooting I came across the source of the issue !!!!

My iPhone !!!

So apparently when connected using wireless CarPlay, it conflicts with the video receiver, If I move the phone out of my phone holder

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and place it in the console or the door pocket, the video is perfectly fine for the reverse camera.

Since I now have CarPlay for maps and Waze, I took the phone holder off. problem solved for now.

 

nahh…. This wasn’t hard. It’s just a time issue as in finding time to work on the car. I will eventually run some wire but not till I need to take my interior apart to run the wire in a completely hidden way.