Car PC

[BMac1203]

I've briefly looked over this entire topic.

I work in IT, I'm a tech. Been building and hacking systems for close to 12 years. I am very impressed with what I see here, it's clear to me that you guys are very informed, you know what you're doing and love doing this kind of stuff.

Me? I've barely had my LGT for less than a week, you could say that although the geek in me wants to start on such a project yesterday, the car simply smells too fresh still So I think this'll have to wait. Not to mention the fact that some hardware components cost quite a lot, such as the smart PSU controller. 80 bucks? Ouch! Don't know where all of you live, but for those that live in states which see hot summers and cold winters, I do have to question the level of stress the hardware undergoes, especially so the hard drive.

A hard drive's death is varying temperatures, repeated spin-up/spin-down cycles and so forth. A hard drive will last longer, for example, if ran nonstop than one which is constantly turned on/off, especially so in cold/hot temps. I can't even get myself to leave my iPod in my car, let alone a custom-built mini-tower. But if you guys have had luck with these set-ups, then I'm in no place to express my

skepticism

Having said all this, I'll chime in with advice from now on here and there

Has any of you looked into the possibility of running much smaller devices for this very same purpose? For example I do know that some folks managed to slap various Linux distros on iPods which essentially turned them into mini-PCs. I'll have to dig for info, if I do start on such a project I'll keep everyone posted. One interesting "problem" would be to manage to hook up an external video output.

Check it out

http://www.ipodlinux.org/Main_Page

A ton of apps are available and more are continually added http://www.ipodlinux.org/Applications

I've learned now to take apart iPods with a hand tied behind my back and blindfolded. I've got a Mini laying around here somewhere unused. The challenge would be to figure out how to convert the little display ribbon to another jack/plug-in/whatever to be connected to a bigger screen.

So I dunno. Looking at such a possibility, it makes everything else seem an overkill.

 

It all depends on what you are doing. I imagine that any of the CPU intensive programs wouldn't run (such as GPS, DVD, etc.) I agree that the Media portion would be great, as...well....it is an iPod.

[fishbone]

Further reading pretty much got me to your conclusion, I forgot about the DVD/navi part of the story. It'd still be nice to find an alternative to setting up a mini-PC. Something along seberry's idea. That's a damn nice set-up!

 

seberry, where'd you find that board? How much was it? Are there any like it approximately in size that you know of?

 

Later edit: nvm, it's mini ITX we're looking at, isn't it?

[BMac1203]

Further reading pretty much got me to your conclusion, I forgot about the DVD/navi part of the story. It'd still be nice to find an alternative to setting up a mini-PC. Something along seberry's idea. That's a damn nice set-up!

 

seberry, where'd you find that board? How much was it? Are there any like it approximately in size that you know of?

 

Later edit: nvm, it's mini ITX we're looking at, isn't it?

 

Yup, I run a Mini ITX board as well VIA SP 13000.

 

There's also NanoITX boards, which are a little less than double the price, but they further cut down on size. ~ 4" x 4" = ~$300 +/-

 

I really need to take pictures of my new enclosure. I keep talking about it, but wanted to get it all done before I showed it. But, the conversations keep warranting the need for pictures. I think it'll be a very pleasant surprise.

[f1anatic]

And fishbone you say nothing about my setup...How dare you !

Car PCs usually run to about 1000 (+/- 250) once is all set and done. Depends on how much fabrication, how many accessories and software is everyone running - and definitely how much of the assets s/he already has (like in my case a laptop).

[andrew.anderson]

Hey peeps...

Hey 1st Matelot Sea Weasel...

 

What do you guys think of my control panel ?

• USB Touchpad (mostly to avoid touching the screen and using the computer w/o the front end software)
  
• red start-up shut-down button for PC
  
• Escort Passport Remote Controller
  
• inside (hidden) in the compartment there uis a USB hub with 3 ports open. When I add camera and OBD-2 functions I will use them. Either I will pull the cable from underneath or simply have it come out to the side, and go underneath the seat. Also inside there there will be the extra video/audio cables for the Xenarc. That compartment is otherwise compromised...(filled up with technology) but the armrest one is completely free

Power for my 2 USB hubs (one in the above describes compartment and one next to the laptop, in the trunk) as well as the radar detector comes from the armrest cig plug. Power for the PC and the screen comes from the front.

 

I decided to not try to match the paint. Too much work. It is close enough for all practical reasons. Just like my monitor/HVAC bezel - a little on the shiny side but oh well.

 

As I said, I am just trying to work things out to my liking. It is not gonna be fancy like some of your stuff, but it is going to be functional. For sure...I am not counting on my Car PC to "pull wool" so as long as it is not very ugly, I am sure people will be largely ignorant.

 

That is an awesome setup! Don't be angry when we copy you. Remember that immitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[fishbone]

f1anatic, your set-up is awesome. When you first told me on the other forum [masini.ro] about the laptop I didn't entirely understand what you were doing, that's why I started recommending front-seat laptop stands and so forth, rotfl.

1k USD does sound kinda steep. I'm going to start looking around now for cases and mini/nano-ITX boards.

Check this guy's set-up. A Mac Mini Carputer

[ame=http://www.flickr.com/photos/zapwizard/sets/72057594054134962]Mac Mini Carputer - a set on Flickr[/ame]

Here's another one, a Mac Mini in a Subie

http://gthing.net/carputer-5-final

[Jerboa113]

ITX mobos are your friend, energy efficient, small, light weight, lo profile, low heat, its the perfect mobile PC mobo.

 

http://www.mp3car.com is also your friend, tons of resources, every possible question or idea you've ever had ever about a car and a computer are probablly there already with a long discussion of plausibility execution and maybe even someone whos done it

 

also (from memory) http://www.mini-itx.com should be the url.. sells a lot of itx cases and other accessories.

 

I agree with the whole ipod linux thing, its designed to play mp3s and movies, not so much GPS heh

 

I MAY be selling my carputer in the near future, its a via epia 1300 w/ 100gb seagate HD, 2 upgraded fans (11cfm each over the single 7cfm fan it came with) and its already mounted to a board that sits on top of the spare tire. I'll have more on that later.

[andrew.anderson]

ITX mobos are your friend, energy efficient, small, light weight, lo profile, low heat, its the perfect mobile PC mobo.

 

also (from memory) www.mini-itx.com should be the url.. sells a lot of itx cases and other accessories.

 

Cool link, Thanks

[BMac1203]

Cool link, Thanks

 

Also,

 

http://www.mini-box.com

 

and

 

http://www.logicsupply.com

 

I purchased most of my parts from Logic Supply, and the others from Mp3car.com

 

GOOD LUCK!

[BMac1203]

I think that the next best would be NanoITX, 12cm x 12cm = 4.7"x4.7"

[BMac1203]

Just to give you guys a tease. These pictures are old, my bezel is now finished and in the car. And what is that black thing? A fiberglass enclosure for the trunk? I wonder what's inside it on the other side....Could it be in my car, vented with fans, and carpeted to match the panel to the trunk? Could it possibly look like it was meant to be there from factory? Who knows....more to come.

 

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2351/dsc01362ch6.th.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/4232/dsc01364zq2.th.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5846/dsc01369bn7.th.jpg

[f1anatic]

I am having trouble with my Carnetix P1900 PSU. Anyone can help me ? If any of you have this PSU; then I will give you the details.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=97202

[BMac1203]

Ok, I have http://opussolutions.com/index.php?p=product&id=26 and need some placement ideas.

 

I would prefer to hide it behind the radio or below, just above the airbag module as there is lots of room there.

 

Where might be the best place to power it from? If I decide to use the ACC triggered auto power on/off feature, it would need 12v that is always available even with the car off. Also, how should I go about wiring up the ACC line so it switches on and off with the car?

 

First. You have to run a line through the firewall to the battery, that is probably the only reliable ALWAYS ON 12v source that we have. Then, you can tap off of something such as the trip computer (what I did) that's only on when the car is on. Now, when you start the car-> Computer on, turn-off the car -> Computer off.

[BMac1203]

I am having trouble with my Carnetix P1900 PSU. Anyone can help me ? If any of you have this PSU; then I will give you the details.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=97202

 

That yellow ignition wire needs to go to something that powers on when the car is on. No "fool"ing as you mentioned in the thread. Tap into the black/silver wire behind the 12v PWR plug (cigarette Lighter, but not), or tap into the Yellow/black wire that plugs into the trip computer. Both are accessory plugs and only get power when the car is in ACC or Ignition.

 

Is that helpful or not what you're asking? You need to have a CONSTANT 12v source, and an Ignition/Accessory source to send a pulse to the computer to tell it to turn on.

[f1anatic]

It is just that one phucker.

 

Can I just merge the yellow wire with the red (+) wire from the PSU and call it a day ?

[BMac1203]

Ny pulse you mean something that is constantly on when the car is on and turns off when the car isn't? It can be any +12v line? There isn't a special line that triggers stuff in the car to wake up other than a constant source like the cig lighter power or something?

 

By pulse, I mean that the line notices a new current that triggers the switch on the motherboard, nothing scientific heh.

 

I can build computers anyday, running power from the battery safely and through the firewall is going to get costly

 

If you need help/assistance, I'll do what I can to help you with that project. Yeah, you have to find a grommet that you can puncture to run the wire into the cabin. You really need a constant 12v source (aka Battery) because we don't have any inside our cars.

[BMac1203]

It is just that one phucker.

 

Can I just merge the yellow wire with the red (+) wire from the PSU and call it a day ?

 

It, in theory, wouldn't hurt anything, but it wouldn't know when it was supposed to be on, and when it was supposed to be off. If both wires have the same signal, theres nothing saying "Hey turn on!" or turn off.

[BMac1203]

I think as long as there is 12v on the "turn me on" line, it will be fine.

 

True, it will be fine (and I like your quoting me hah). The problem is, if that line does not go on and off with the ignition/accessory, the computer still won't turn on and off. The two lines can't be the same, otherwise the PSU won't get that signal that it needs to operate the on/off/hibernate state.

[BMac1203]

Thanks, it's just that I can see myself running 20 gauge "hookup" wire from the battery into the cabin, held on by electrical tape. I really don't know the proper wires, fuses and methods to wire it properly. Do you have any pics you can show me of your install?

 

Haha, not held on by electrical tape, definitely not recommended. If you take the positive cap off the battery, you should be able to loosen a nut and connect you Positive 12v wire to the terminal. Then you have to run it through a grommet, into the cabin, near the radio/cubby. It might take an hour (your first time), but it's not difficult. It's probably really one of your only options to get a constant "Hot" wire.

 

I would be happy to take some pics and show you.

[BMac1203]

I think all that F1 wants is power to the laptop that turns on and off with the car, so the way he wants to twist the + and ACC lines together at the PSU should be fine. The output of the PSU will turn off as soon as the car is turned off, bypassing the delayed shutdown feature. He's using a laptop that will turn off on it's own after running on battery for 5 min.

 

Gotcha. Then yes, in THEORY, the PSU should output correct power if both the "+" & Yellow/ignition wires are connected to 12v power. I guess I was just thinking that he was doing what another user did (might have been on mp3car) where they wired the laptop to power on like our mini setups do, instead of having to turn the laptop on and off manually, like he will have to do with the setup that you speak of.

 

PS: I say theory because I cannot test it myself, but I don't see why it would not work.

[BMac1203]

So here's the sneaky enclosure I've been talking about. You saw the back of it in my previous post a few days ago. I took the fiberglass subwoofer enclosure idea a step further, by putting my CarPC inside instead of a sub. I will be routing the wire behind the trunk carpet tomorrow, and everything will be 100% hidden. The carpet match looks better in person, the flash (being night time) brought out the color difference much more than reality. The enclosure sits perfectly flush with the trunk wall and IMHO looks pretty darn OEM.

 

I have a slot load DVD Drive, so no tray coming out or anything. I'm thinking about making more of these, not sure what the demand is. I'll take pictures of the inside. All the computer components are properly mounted on standoffs, and the enclosure is vented with an exhaust fan at the top (as seen in pictures). Also, the carpet cover is attached via velcro that goes all the way around the enclosure, giving way to the interior. More pics to follow. What do you think? I'm pretty darn happy with the result.

 

[f1anatic]

That's soooooo sexy ! BMAC ! Did you make two ?

 

Is it ok to run the Xenarc and the laptop from this PSU which is connected to the front cigarette lighter (NOT USED for anything else) and power for my 2 usb hubs and radar detector from the center console plug ?

 

Or do I have to get juice for the PSU from the battery and then the yellow ignition wire just solder to anything (+) that gets power only when key is ON or ACC ?

 

I will try to merge the red(+) and yellow (ign) wires together and see what happens...if my PSU outputs anything or not ?

 

Had I not used a laptop (which has a battery), I would have had no chance for this setup. But since the laptop may shut off on its own...when it reaches 90% battery power (or whichever way I wanna do it) I wonder if my way works or not ?

[BMac1203]

That should be fine f1anatic.

 

I would try both ways. The red/yellow merge idea might work, but might not. The PSU isnt meant to work that way, so can't tell you how it will result.

 

You could operate the system without the battery (thus making it a desktop-like setup), but its not easy. You then have to solder leads from the PSU to the laptop's power button. Kinda complicated to describe, probably not worth it in your case. I showed my setup because you may be of use to something like this as well.

 

Also, I'm willing to make you one of these if you wish, I can take more pics tomorrow (of the inside, the mounting locations, etc). I actually really enjoy this stuff.

[BMac1203]

You guys think anyone else on this forum or Mp3car would be interested in an enclosure like this? I can make them for either side of the car.

[f1anatic]

BMAC, thanks for the advice. Hold on to that enclosure for me...Let me figure out my PSU gremlins first. But it is a phenomenal idea...and looks like the car was bought like that.

 

So you think running the xenarc and the laptop off the cig. lighter should be ok ?