Calling all Radio heads...

I had an Alpine head unit installed with PAC device. What I realized is that the remote has separate controls for changing radio stations and CD tracks. With that being the case the dash controls can only be used for one or the other. Am I correct in my thinking or am I missing something??

Also, the Alpine head tilts. Unfortunately the dash controls don't work if the head is tilted because of where the installer but the little transmitter from the PAC. Has anyone found a location that works when the head is tilted?

Thanks for the help!
-Greg

 

I have a PAC SWI-3 and an Alpine CDA-7876 with tilt head and I don't have either of the problems you do.

The PAC SWI-3 is very versatile. I have the "audio control" push button programmed to alternate "source" on the Alpine. Thus it switches back and forth from CD to Radio and back.

I have the "channel" button on the dash programmed to either advance a track on the cd or to scan to the next station on the radio. This isn't as good as advancing to the next pre-programmed station, but it is good enough for me.

As far as the "tilt" problem, I have the little IR LED poking out just above the red lamp on the Alpine, under the trim panel of the car. It hardly protrudes at all. It works well in this position, tilted or not, door opened or closed.

I'll get a photo and post it. I'll double-check to confirm that the PAC works with the head tilted.

 

Thanks Barry,

The installer put the IR LED to the right of the head unit, that's why it doesn't work when tilted. Is your red light on the Alpine, in the upper left corner? If so, then I should be able to do the same thing. I'll have to check the model Alpine I have, but the way it is currently programmed I can only change to the next preset station. Once I'm in CD mode, the the dash channel button does nothing. When I get home tonight I'll check which model I have.

Thanks again for your help!!

 

Here is my Apline with the PAC SWI-3.. You can see the IR Led I have no trouble with the tilt angle

 

That is because your installer did not choose the best way to program the PAC unit. It is easy to re-program but you have to get the PAC unit in your hand to do it. I have the PAC unit coming out of the panel to the right of the radio and going into the net near the passenger's foot in case I want to reprogram it.

You'll need to reprogram all the controls, but it is easy. Choose the button on the Alpine's remote that advances a CD track for the "channel" button. That will work fine and in the "Tuner" mode it will scan to the next higher station. You can have EITHER advance track/scan radio or no cd function/advance to next memory station. Conceivably you could have each and lose the "Source" function from the "audio control" dash button.

My PAC led is just like Yellow S2000's and it works great.
Compromises.

 

Thanks for the picture, Yellow2000. The volume and "audio" control work just like yours. I'll need to locate the PAC SWI-3. I'm assuming it's under the dash somewhere, I just hope it's not behind the radio.

You're right...everything in life is a compromise!

Thanks to Barry and Yellow2000

 

Do either of you have the step-by-step instructions on how to configure the PAC SWI-3? My installer doesn't remember how he did it and he cannot locate the instructions.

-Greg

 

Ok guys, I just got a Alpine 7838. Does the PAC device work with that too. Where can I get this device, and should all Alpine dealers know how to hook it up? Anyone in DC area?

 

Sorry that's Alpine 7873

 

The PAC SWI-3 does work with the Alpine CDA-7873. However, you need a remote for programming the SWI-3 and the remote is an option for the CDA-7873. You need to borrow or buy one. The same remote as the CDA-7875 and CDA-7876 should work. I bet your Alpine dealer would let you use a remote from a brand new unit to program the PAC unit.

The best place to buy the SWI-3 is from HP Distributing. 1-800-395-2927. I paid $38 plus $9 shipping.

Here are the programming instructions. Don't forget to bridge the 3.3 kohm resistor across the signal and ground leads.

http://www.go2pac.net/flash1280.html

Scroll down to the SWI-3 adobe file and open it.

Barry