DIY mp3 earmuffs project, help needed

[matti]

I have good earmuffs to modify for my project, but I would need an mp3 player (or some diy mp3 thing) to put inside the earmuff shell.. I have radio earmuffs so there is enough room for small mp3 player and batteries.

Problem that I have not get past is where I can get mp3 player that I can modify to use external switches (something like this: http://www.positiveoffset.com/Parts/on-off-switch.jpg) or any switches that can be easily mounted to the earmuffs plastic shell.

No need for lcd screen or anything, just normal switches like ,power, play/stop, next... and all that.
Oh, and of course some way to connect those earmuffs to my pc

anybody know any suitable mp3 thing (not sure if its called module or chip or diy player) on Ebay ? I looked ebay but i did not understand anything from those things



(BUT.. I have no skill at electronics and I don't know what means: "IC4 ATmega128L-8A,UMain 8MHz internal RC oszillator, ATmega1281 or ATmega2561, IC2 VS1011b MP3 decoder IC IC3 LM2940IMP-5.0........ so not that kind of helping answers for me)

[jrrdw]

If you can manage to desolder then reconfigure then resolder the switchs, this little player can be just what you need.

[matti]

If you can manage to desolder then reconfigure then resolder the switchs, this little player can be just what you need.

those things have so tiny chips/switches that I don't think I can solder them with my shaky hands

[Technician1002]

Sometimes the best mod for one of those players is DON'T. Make a holder so it attaches onto the outside of the muff by velcro, caulking. or other suitable method such as attach it in a velcro cable tie to the headband. Remove the original radio and wire a headphone cord into the place of the radio and plug it into the PM3 player. MP3 player is then fully accessable with no modification.

Another simpler solution is to get muffs that are "MP3 Ready" that already have speakers and a jack for your external player.



Another option is to place the PM3 player with a car FM modulator in your pocket and pick it up on the radio in the protector you already have with no modifications.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p= ... oogle_base

[matti]

I have mp3 ready muffs and I did try my mp3 player with those things, but I dont like the hanging cables or using the tiny buttons of the mp3 with my work gloves.. (my job is welding+machining+hydraulics. ).
If this was for my personal hobby time use, I would just use my mp3 player, but I want to use this thing at work, so it needs to be safe, no hanging aux cables and no external things velcro'd to my head

And of course it's not only that I need this.. it's also that I want to build it for fun, like spudguns.

[Technician1002]

Due to the small size of the components in a typical MP3 player, you will need specialized tools and skill to even attempt it.

Not many MP3 players are built to work with welding gloves and hydraulic oil.

Have you worked with a hot air rework station before?

[Crna Legija]

check ebay i got a pier that takes usb just load music on to one and you have big buttons on it, i do basicly the same as you and have no problems!

[matti]

Due to the small size of the components in a typical MP3 player, you will need specialized tools and skill to even attempt it.

Not many MP3 players are built to work with welding gloves and hydraulic oil.

Have you worked with a hot air rework station before?

No I haven't and I don't have one, I have some soldering tools but like you said its probably impossible with normal soldering iron