Has anyone been able to swap the "next song" button with "higher volume"?

Interesting device. They are using the switch pad signal for some control features. If they've actually intercepted and recreated the signal then a small software change would do exactly what I'm attempting.

 

Hadn't considered that. Likely not happening - not by me anyway.

 

The camera controller uses the "Mode" button, by capturing a quick double-tap to cause the Germes box to intercept the Up/Down buttons to switch between front and rear cameras, instead of sending the signal on to the head unit to tell it to change inputs, songs, or radio stations, etc.

Edit: Putting the truck in Reverse also causes the backup camera signal to put the Germes into intercept mode. After going into reverse the Germes stays in this mode for 30 seconds after truck going into Drive, or reaching a speed of 12mph, whichever comes first. But while the Germes is in this mode the Up/Down buttons are intercepted and will only switch cameras to front or rear, and will not change any settings in the head unit.

 

I don't view the button labels as a deal killer. It shouldn't be too hard to hide the little speaker symbols in some fashion... sticker, paint, etc.

 

Someone else can investigate whether the plastic button can be rotated within the switch assembly. Maybe start a business modifying them and reselling for four times the price.

I'm of the opinion that this entire endeavor isn't necessary, but if my electronics and programming skills can make it a simple fix, then I'm game.

 

I think someone has already determined that button cover plate rotation is not possible.

 

I'd be most interested in option 3. I'd actually prefer a replacement pcb over inline harness or other add-on inline devices. Wasn't someone already working on a drop in replacement pcb? It may have been in the other thread linked near the top of this one. That would be the cleanest solution.

 

@MESO shared a story on Instagram that showed the PCB, which we assume means he has made one with the buttons rearranged. And I would imagine it would come with the rotated button set.

 

I have a working proof of concept. With this installed, I am able to press UP and DOWN for volume change and side to side to change tracks (SEEK).

This was accomplished with an Arduino Nano with a short program loaded, three resistors, a capacitor, and some hookup wire. Well, I did have a harness adapter from the Anytime Backup Camera kit that I cut instead of the factory wiring, and I powered the Arduino from the USB port instead of tapping into another wire.



The point is, it works and it's pretty darn easy to do.

As I stated earlier though, I'm not too thrilled about the idea of producing this myself for others. There's mediocre support for it, and I'd only change it on my own truck if the components to do it right were subsidized by other people buying the same.

The earlier comment about the Germes RFCC got me thinking that by taking control over all 8 buttons on the steering wheel and providing some relay control outputs, there would be a way to use these buttons in their normal (or remapped) state, plus have a special sequence (long press, MODE + UP, or similar) to use them for custom functions.

In theory it would be able to toggle the state of 8 devices without adding any extra switches.

 

For a 4-way switch, if the factory uses the same resistor set in all versions, an in-line microcontroller unit should probably be "programmable" using 2 DIP switches or jumper pairs (4 total combos). 4 switches (16 settings) would be enough to re-map any arrangement to any other arrangement for a 4-way rocker.

Nice thing about swiches/jumpers is that there's no possibility of them being "reset" by a battery disconnect or voltage surge/sag; vehicle power seems likely to be pretty "noisy", especially if you're set up for overlanding an running solar/fridge/winch or other accessories connected to the primary battery

 

All cases being the 8 switches in the diagram I provided in my quote.

 

How about a real PAUSE button! I listen to podcasts and audiobooks a lot and a pause button would be really nice. I don't understand why it isn't standard. Muting the audio doesn't cut it when you're trying to keep your place in a book!!

 

Holding mute mode for a second or two performs the play/pause functions

 

That would be an easy board to layout and assemble, especially if the right connectors could be sourced.

I agree on the selling it part though, it’s a pain in the ass dealing with retail.

If you were interested and feeling generous, you could lay out a board and throw it up on oshpark for people to order and assemble themselves.

 

So... Just an FYI for anyone taking this apart.

I knew something was amiss this morning when I drove to work and the time was wrong and I had no navigation. I also seemed to recall some empty connector slots where I could have sworn there were connectors before. I had taken "before" pictures but I swear every wire from the truck was plugged in. I couldn't find and more connectors hiding inside the dash...

I had a good laugh when I found this on passenger side floor today:



I'm assuming/hoping all will be back to normal when I stick that in there. Watch out for it if you're pulling all of the connectors off!
.

 

My curiosity and generosity have been exhausted on this for now. What I've learned might be put to use at some point, but I'm not going to be pursuing it just to change the button functions.

I love your handle, BTW, that's long been one of my favorite hex values to use in testing when I want it to stand out.

Also: 0xB00BFEED

I'm certain there are lists of such things...

 

Wow welcome to the forum! I'd love for this to be a simple plug and play.. would pay money for it, but probably needs to be around $50 or less.

 

I'm somewhat in agreement that if it's just for rearranging the button functionality, replacing the circuit board in the steering wheel pad is going to be the cheapest. I'm not yet sure what's involved in gaining access there. It seems like this may already be in the works based on the recent comments here.

Thanks for the welcome. My entry was sort of abrupt, and I haven't even introduced myself yet. I'm new to this forum but I've served a few tours on other ones.

To develop a custom PCB layout, package it all up reasonably well, and then deal with all of the headaches of shipping and customer relations... ya, I don't need a second day job. I'm an ideas guy. I have knowledge and skills in electrical, electronics, software, mechanical design, and fabrication. I am not a marketing or business guy. No way, no how. When a project moves much beyond the prototyping stage, I'm already bored and ready to hand it off to someone else for production.

 

I stand corrected!!! Darn ..there goes my one mistake for the year!! I went out and tried it and it worked correctly. Thanks for your note!!!

 

Put your stuff on a flash drive and avoid the major pain in the ass of having to deal with any external music device.