I finally finished (at least for now) my hack to add a Bluetooth serial module onto the RS Media. What drove me to it in the end, was constantly having to replace the batteries in my temporary power supply when I forgot unplug it after I finished with it. This is what the temporary supply looked like.

Bluetooth Power: Temporary power supply for the bluetooth module. Its old torch body that holds 2AA's. Since it doesn't have a switch, I turn the module on and off by unplugging it.

The first thing I did was create a schematic, and make a circuit board with the Bluetooth module mounted to it. Basically all the board does is supply 3.3v power, and provided pin headers for all the wiring, making removing the module simple.

Bluetooth Power: This is the schematic for the carrier board for the bluetooth module. Basically all it does is supply 3.3v power.

Next I drilled a hole in the panel that I previously mounted the antenna and status LED to, and mounted a switch.

Final Installation: This is the view of the panel reinstalled with the power switch.

Then I removed the old wiring from the Media Board, and added some new wiring. Green, White, Green was probably not the best choice for wire colours, but I'm using recycled wiring from an old PC, so I don't really have much in the way of choice.

Serial Line: The wires connected to the Media Board to carry the serial signals and ground to the Bluetooth module.

Next I hooked the circuit into the RS Media's power board. This hooks in to the 9V supply before the RS Media's power switch, so it is possible to power the Bluetooth module with the RS Media switch off. This arrangement has advantages, it means I can catch the bootup sequence. It also has the disadvantage of that if I am running off batteries and I forget to switch the bluetooth module off, I will flatten his "D" cell's.

Power Board: This image shows the power connections on the the RS Media's power board. The power comes from his 9V supply, and is always on.

Finally, I wedged the new carrier board with bluetooth module into place and connected all the wiring. All it needs now is a little hot glue to hold it and the wiring in place, if only I could find my glue gun

Final Installation: This is the final position for the bluetooth module, all it needs now is a little hot glue.

That pretty much wraps it up for my bluetooth hack, though I have a few idea's for additional functionality. I also probably should have added another LED, so that I could have a visual indicator that the Bluetooth module was switch on. To prevent me flattening his batteries. Bellow you can see some addition images.

Bluetooth Module: This is the bluetooth module mounted to its new carrier board.Power Switch: This is the panel with the power new power switch installed for a test fitting into the rear chest panel.Power Switch: You can see here the "carefully" drilled hole I made with my dremel to mount the power switch.Power Switch: This is a different view of the power switch mounted on the panel.Power Switch: This is the panel with the power switch mounted.