From an IKEA Vackis Alarm Clock to a Cool MP3 Player With USB Cable Using a DFPlayer Sound Module

After I've uploaded the video that shows how I made the sound unit for my RC Lego BB8, I've had a few requests about what there was inside my "black box". I thought to shoot a video that shows that. While I was checking the wiring diagram of the DFPlayer, I've also realized this sound module has even the USB pins. Using an USB cable, properly wired (please use the multimeter to check the polarity, otherwise you'll damage the USB of your PC), you don't have to remove the SD card every time you like to copy your favorite music/sounds and you can charge the 3.7V Lipo battery, via USB (again double checking the polarity!).

When I've wired everything up, I thought to put all the electronics inside a cheap and broken IKEA Vackis alarm clock (obviously I've removed the mechanism of the clock). With the box this MP3 player also looks much cooler.

Anyway for this Instructable you need:

DFPlayer http://www.banggood.com/DFPlayer-Mini-MP3-Player-M...

Alarm clock IKEA Vackis http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/decoration/cloc...

1 3.7V Lipo battery (please use all the precautions when you handle these batteries)

http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-3_7V-750mah-25C-Li...

3 Push-buttons http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-Mini-Micro-Momentar...

1 LED (5mm) http://www.banggood.com/100Pcs-20Ma-F5-5MM-5Colors...

1 Switch https://www.banggood.com/20Pcs-Tact-Touch-Push-But...

1 8 Ohm 0.5W Speaker

1 Resistor 51K

Step 1: Wiring Diagram

Following the diagram connect the 3 push-buttons (Next/Previous Vol. Up/Vol. Down) and Loop All (adding the 51K resistor in series). Connect the 4 wires of the USB cable (Red-Positive, Black-Negative, Green-Data Positive and White-Data Negative).

WARNING!!!

(Please use the multimeter to check the polarity, otherwise you'll damage the USB of your PC)

Connect the LED Anode + and Cathode - and the 8 Ohm 0.5W speaker.

I added an external LED because I've had to fill an hole there was already in the Vackis box.

Attach also the switch on/off.

Step 2: Put Everything in the Vackis Alarm Clock

If you watch carefully my video, you'll see perfectly where I've positioned every single bit.

I cut 2 squares on the side of the box, using (very carefully an utility knife). To speed this process up, I've drilled 2 holes, roughly of the same diameter of the push-button.

For the other parts, I've taken advantage of the previous position of the knobs of the Vackis alarm clock.

The only thing I've added was a piece of Velcro to keep the USB cable in place.

Now you can upload your favorite music creating on the sd card the directory mp3.

There is only one downside in using the DFPlayer. You have to put a sequential number in front of the title of your songs (i.e. 0001BorntoRun, 0002AndAll, 0003... etc., etc.).

But at 2.66$, you can deal with it! :-)

Have fun listening your favorite music!

Comments

[kosso1]

Hi. Thanks the info.
I have seen that the DFPlayer should be able to use the 'U-Drive' (USB) as the player source - connecting a pen drive.
Have you been able to get that to work?

I assume you're using the USB to copy file *to* the DFP SD card from your computer. Which seems like the UST host/slave is the other way around?

Thx.

[RC Lover san]

Hi there, I'm sorry for the late reply.

I have just seen your comment.

Yes, I've connected the USB cable, to transfer the files from the PC to the DFPlayer module, without removing the SD card.

[Newby_doo]

Can this be programmed to play your tracks randomly?

[RC Lover san]

Pressing the button Loop All (connected to pin 12), will allow you to listen the sequence of all the tracks available on your sd card.