Carputer.
 

So! Now that I have your attention, I'd like to show you all my little upcoming project. I recently put in a double din Pioneer Avic U310BT, and wasn't too happy with the deck as a whole. Then the faceplate got stolen out of my car (guess they thought it was standalone gps). -___________-


My buddy was talking to me about the carputer thing for a while, and after thinking it through, I figure this is actually the best route for me. Easy to upgrade ($100 motherboard/cpu/gpu instead of 600-800 for some new fancy piece of PROPRIETARY hardware)


So here's what I bought.

http://www.mo-co-so.com/Dual-Core-1-...-cbs-zot-2.htm
Intel atom 330 (hyperthreaded single core) with nvidia ion cpu (nvidia 9400gt graphics card)
2 gb ram
built in: 5.1 surround, bluetooth, wireless n
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Sirf-III-USB...cs-gps-usb.htm
SirfIII Gps dongle (lololololololol dongle)
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Joycon-EX-St...mcs-joy-ex.htm
joycon steering wheel dealie. Now one thing to mention about this: If you own a pioneed deck and want a steering wheel interface to get that oem feel and featureset, it'll set you back 200+. This joycon not ONLY interfaces with the steering wheel, but also will do LITERALLY anything you want (multiple button setups, logical buttons and physical buttons. Press events and hold events. Make events do either keystrokes or open up programs)

All for 30 bucks. Retarded. I'm going to splice this with my dsc button which will play an mp3 that has the 'YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH' from csi miami. It'll get annoying quick, but will also be hilarious.

http://www.mo-co-so.com/Double-DIN-L...lil-701-dd.htm
And then the double din lilliput screen. I see a lot of people ripping them apart, fabbing them into the nav unit (which I will do EVENTUALLY), but this came with the double din casing, so I'm pretty happy with that for now. Very clean looking etc etc etc.

So all in all, I've spent about 750 taxes, shipping, and brokerage fees included and I've got double the functionality as a standard deck.


I'll be using centrafuse and dashcommand for the front end, just like the dude that put it in his rx8 with nav section from japan parts.


Some teaser pictures : D

Here's some pictures from yesterday:

Whatchu guys think?

Actually two will do (:

:lol:

badass dude, post some more pics of your build etc!

i r teh dude?

dashcommand v2 has been out.. and I have been wanting to redo my carpc with it because it's so much more robust then the first one I used in my previous build..

But... it's in a pile in my room! There's not many more pictures to take ):


BUT! I will take way more pictures once it's closer to an rx8. I didn't put this in the D.I.Y. because I didn't plan on walking through the whole process... buuuuut I found that there were a couple unanswered questions (Like how to use the line out of the carputer with the stock bose system - I tried searchin', I swears it)


As an aside, my buddy that was talking to me about the carputer, bought all the same stuff, minus the joycon, since his steering wheel doesn't have buttons. For the record, he runs an a6 with a bunch of mods hitting about 400whp over all 4 wheels.

ZOMG Alzorz, IT WAZ TOTALY U LOL!

But yeah, I'm going to need to have a good talk with you about this whole nav thing.

i used a grom aux in module for the line out to get sound from the pc to the bose system.

Unfortunately I'll be running without the stock stereo/headunit.


I'll just have the bose speakers and amp. I'm hoping I can get something to bump up/down my signal so it'll go directly into the amp.

Looks like a very good setup.

I couldn't use the joycon because it has issues with my intel motherboard, but it's a very nice piece of hw. I actually went with a phidget device for that since I can use it for other sensors later.

I'm also running dashcommand v2 and it gets a "wow" from the new passengers everytime I pull it out. Can't wait to have some free time and design my own dash. It's also good to quickly read the OBDII codes.

Good luck with the build.

So my buddy and I went halfsies on Centrafuse 3 (Apparently comes with two hardware licences). He claims it's running super slow on his system that has 7 on it, so I'm going to give it a shot on mine, just in case he's crazy/bad at computers ;)

Beyond that, I've got the thing powering up from a rigged up power supply (same way you can rig one up to run an car speaker amplifier) The screen works amazingly, I finally found windows 7 drivers for the GPS dongle (lololollolooll) and centrafuse 2 works super duper well.

And peggle has never been so fun. Plants and zombies, too. So much fun. It's not going to go into my car until I've got all the software working without a hitch. My odbII bluetooth dongle (lolololx2) is in the mail from the sunny smiling beaches of china.

Excited, tbh.




p.s. SO! I forgot to mention, does anyone know of a way to get into the bose amp the same way as a normal deck does? My pioneer was okay (little bit of noise on the lines, but the point is I got sound to come out properly), and I want to interface with the stock bose system for the time being, before I get my subs/amp/speakers/etc.

anyone have suggestions and tips or a harness diagram/explaination on the difference between the output of a aftermarket deck and the output of a computer sound card?

Wont you need this?
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_964wt_1167

So you can install it like a real navigation system for the Mazda's

Well snap. Thanks Ximo, when I plan on keeping it oem lookin' I WILL need that. For the time being I've got a metra double din kit that I was using for my previous (stolen) stereo.

No progress yet beyond having my car overheat like no one's business. Buying a thermostat today, hopefully it'll be in by the weekend. And then I'll be able to start fiddling with stuffs.


So in keeping the bose system, who thinks that the outputs from the soundcard will be sufficient for the amp to amplify? I'm just going to tap into the lines and see how it sounds.

edit: one more update. Format the 7 box, and ran centrafuse on xp. No difference in speed, imo. Menus are still 'slow' (there's a slight delay when you press the buttons).

Haven't screwed around with the joycon yet. Does anyone know if the buttons for the steering wheel are different circuits, or just different resistances? Is there any information anywhere for that?

The outputs from sound cards are usually sufficient for the amp. The signal/noise ratio might not be absolutely fantastic, but good enough for most people.

The buttons on the steering wheel are all in the same circuit in a resistor-matrix style, so the joycon will work perfectly with them.

Sir.


SIR!

That's the best news/infmoration I've head all week.

My hat goes off to you.

I think I'mma test fit sunday. Seems like the earliest I can do it.

I have no idea of what's going on here but looks really cool!

So I made a little update with peeshurez! : D

Basically I've put the carputer where the tire repair kit was before it was stolen. Once it's all in place and working, I'll be sleeving the power/audio lines so that it's a lot more oem looking.

I've got the video/power cable for the monitor ran through the center console pillar stuffs, and tucked in under the seat area (caution: those metal areas are friggin sharp!)

So I've got the obdII bluetooth dongle (lolollollololo) hooked up, but it doesn't look like it's sending out a signal via the bluetooth. I need to check with another computer, because the bluesolei software is.... weird, to say the least.

GPS works awesomely, screen fitment is a bit of an issue. When I put the metra kit over top of it, the metra kit presses on the top of the screen a little, and makes the mouse pointer jump around a bit.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
 

So I finished up connecting all the stuffs. Ran the power lines for mycomputer. Ran the remote off the cigarette lighter. All was well.


And then I put the metra kit back on. I'm getting a couple lights on the air con buttons and the screen works fine. However, the temp knob does nothing and the buttons do no respond.


HOWEVER, the middle one does it's thing when I hold it (Abmient temp. Abmient temp C. Clock adjust. Text change), but the buttons won't turn on a/c or change where the air blows. I'm beyond sad.


Can anyone please help? ):

update update update
 

I tried soldering the inside up as per a thread that the metra tech guy suggested, and it seemed to work. I think it was just the fact that I was refastening the connectors.

Then I put the rest of the stuff together, and while the buttons worked (I could turn a/c off and change all that stuff) the buttons would not light up and it wouldn't show the changes on the dash. Looks like I pulled something out or kinked something while putting it all back together. Meh. Gonna have to take it apart one or more times.

When I DO take it apart, I'll be grabbing the joycon and connecting it to the harness where the media buttons are. I'll also be running a usb hub to the front of the car.


Are there any +5v lines in the centre console of the car that I can power the usb with?

Also, I decided to forgo the bose amp/speakers, and just buy a new amp and speakers for the car. Got a nice deal at my work for a 600 watt pioneer 4 channel. I'll probably run the subs off that, too. We'll see how fancy I want this to be. Currently I've just bought the amp and haven't bought anything else. I'll just run the sound to the rear deck for now, while I'm looking for suitable front component speakers.

Another update:

This is more for me than anything, but if anyone's subscribed or interested in what's on the horizon.

I've got my Bluetooth obdII working, but it doesn't reconnect when the computer goes into hibernation mode. This is an issue. I'd rather not have to disconnect and reconnect the bluetooth device. Now, I may be able to program a script to disconnect and reconnect the bluetooth device, but I'm hoping there's an easier way.

To do list:
Fix HVAC connections
Connect joycon to steering wheel and dsc buttons. Set them shits up.
Run USB to front of the car so I can plug things in. Figure out ideal location for usb ports.
Run amp wire. Buy door speakers. Run the wires and have audio back in my car :(
Reinstall windows 7 but use the 32 bit version instead. -_________-
Run GPS to where the gps module goes in the rear deck (anyone have info on how to run that?)
Run high gain wireless antenna to the same spot. Figure out how to orient it for best signal.

Pics when it's not raining. I'll use a proper camera, too.

good work to date dude. I'm currently in the process of trying to scrape everything together for my own build. Can't wait to see what yours is like when completed... GL!

So upon trying to fix the hvac connections, I fixed them. And then fucking broke them more than they were beforehand. I got the screen displaying and the led's properly lighting up, and then somewhere between putting the dash kit back in and looking up, red digital screen went dead. No power is going to it I don't think, BUT you can faintly see characters on the screen, just the red isn't there. However, that's happening ever when the car is powered off with no keys in... and the metra box unplugged. Please tell me I didn't fry the screen.

: C

I just bought some energy 6.5 inch components for the front doors. Rear deck is up and ready to go and the amp is all hooked up and whatnot. So sound is a go.


To do list:
Fix HVAC connections Refix hvac and hvac screen :eyetwitch
Connect joycon to steering wheel and dsc buttons. Set them shits up.
Run USB to front of the car so I can plug things in. Figure out ideal location for usb ports.
Run amp wire. Buy door speakers. Run the wires and have audio back in my car
Reinstall windows 7 but use the 32 bit version instead. -_________- Done. Just need to run fron speakers.
Run GPS to where the gps module goes in the rear deck (anyone have info on how to run that?)
Run high gain wireless antenna to the same spot. Figure out how to orient it for best signal.

So I need some help from you peoples. I'll probably make a wtb thread, too.


The screen/hvac led's and whatnot have been effing up because of a small wiring harness I pooched. I pulled on the wires too much, and pulled one of the wires out. SOOOOOOOOOO I need to replace that harness.



So if you look at this picture, there are two harnesses that come out of the unit. At this angle, the one on the left controls temp and the one on the right controls the data going into the metra kit to the display. I have messed up that harness that's on the right. Anyone have a spare one sitting around? I went to the mazda dealership and the guy ACTUALLY suggested buying the ENTIRE wiring harness package for the ENTIRE CAR for 2 grand, or just the front (because I need the dash, front lights and engine harnesses........... :banghead:) for a grand. What is wrong with these people? He actually presented it as a solution. I had to remind him that I need a 3 inch long bit of wires.



worst case, I'll try and repin out the thing. I just did a horrible job the first time. It's a REALLY difficult pin to put back in.

Help help help help help!

i would definitely try to just put it back or go to the hardware store and find a terminal that is a close enough fit. either that, you're looking at a trip to the j yard

Wooooo
 

Alright, I tried my stock stereo on it, and the screen worked flawlessly and the hvac buttons worked as well... so, I screwed around with the pinout and harness and spent the better part of the evening on it.

Phew. Got it working.

I think I'm going to just run the usb to the glovebox and do it simply, instead of fancy inside the rear cubby of the arm rest.


2 reasons:

1) There's simply more room. My other car had the usb/ipod connection running to the glovebox and it was perfectly fine albeit not as impressive looking

2) At this point, I just don't want to break anything anymore. Cutting into the arm rest = can't go back = gonna make a mistake. If I decide to go that route, I'll spend the 50+ bucks to get it done for me.


To do list:
Run GPS to where the gps module goes in the rear deck (anyone have info on how to run that?)
Run high gain wireless antenna to the same spot. Figure out how to orient it for best signal.
Connect joycon to steering wheel and dsc buttons. Set them shits up.
Run USB to front of the car so I can plug things in. Figure out ideal location for usb ports.
Fix HVAC connections Refix hvac and hvac screen
Run amp wire. Buy door speakers. Run the wires and have audio back in my car
Reinstall windows 7 but use the 32 bit version instead. -_________- Done.
Just need to run front speakers. Speakers are ran, now I just need to figure out how to force matrix surround on the speakers (Make all 4 speakers push the same sound at the same level.

RESSURECTING A THREAD FROM THE DEAD! : D


So, I just ordered the RII Mini keyboard from http://www.tomtop.com/24g-wireless-m...9b_p10332.html It's 49.99 and actually really fantastic.

If you search for coupons, there's one for 10% off the whole invoice, or 20% off the keyboard.
So if you buy other stuff, you might want to consider the 10% off invoice option, or 20% off if you just buy the keyboard.

It's a keyboard with a laptop mouse pad built into it! Rechargable lition ion battery (usb chargable).

It's also got a laser pointer built in. Handy in road rage situations! I also bought an antenna extender cable, so that I can extend the wireless antenna to the rear deck. I just need to figure out how to get the rear deck apart.

USB is ready to go to the front, and when I do that I'll also run the steering wheel controls. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

RE: USB

You mean like this? :)

http://www.shellware.com/images/rx8/nav/3.jpg

I want to see this all done up and working 100%, very cool build. Lets see some pics!

Shell dude, you son of a...


I never thought to remove the accessory plug and use that.

I'll be running the usb to the glovebox still FOR NOW, but I'm certainly going to consider that for the future. I'll try and get some pictures and maybe a video tonight.

nice usb location, been looking at rebuilding a new set up for my car also. Are you going to be running dash command ? surprised at how much change there has been since i stopped running a carpc.

I haven't really looked into running dash command. I should just buy it for the 10 bucks that it is.

(I think)

Well, jerks. I'm back!

I've got some crappy cellphone pictures to tie you guys over. And a new list of crap to do.

- Finish replacing my LED lights
- Finish fixing the gasket for the tail lights
- Mount the carputer to where the old bose system was (fyi, I have that system for sale! Who wants it?
- Install subs, run wires
- mock up final position for the ground and power blocks and then hide and tuck all the wires. Add wire looming, if necessary.
- run usb's and steering controls


SO! Can anyone help me out with the steering wheel controls? I can't find ANYWHERE where the pinout for the steering wheel controls are. Even if someone can tell me which actual colours those wires are, and which harness they come off of? I need that for this weekend, so I can use the joycon and start programming it!

So yeah. Some more pics of the thing running. I'll get some proper ones if I remember my nicer digital cam, and hopefully get some video of it running when I borrow my buddy's digital video camera.


More sometime soon!

Will Crusher, really? You know back in the 80s I moderated the "Will Crusher Must Die" fidonet list!

Hey xpingux....steering wheel control wires go to the main harness that connects to the headunit. Here's a wiring diagram for that harness:

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...42&postcount=7

If my memory doesn't fail me, I think you need to attach the joycon to the pins labeled ST (n and p) but I'm not completely sure. Best way to find out is to use an ohm-meter and stick it in the corresponding pins and test them by using the controls on the wheel (that's the way I did it). unfortunately I never took note of the results....and I'm too lazy to go and take my HU out in this weather :P

Let me know and good luck!

I figure it's probably in good taste to mention what I've done and finished up etc etc.

So I'll use my old list paired with my new list:



- Finish replacing my LED lights DONE!
- Finish fixing the gasket for the tail lights Done!
- Mount the carputer to where the old bose system was (fyi, I have that system for sale! Who wants it?
- Install subs, run wires DONE! But I need to mount the carputer so the subs fit properly.
- mock up final position for the ground and power blocks and then hide and tuck all the wires. Add wire looming, if necessary. Done, sort of! The amps are all mounted, and I didn't need any ground or blocks. Just need to do the looming, I guess, and running it under the carptet.
-Run GPS to where the gps module goes in the rear deck (anyone have info on how to run that?) Easiest way is to take the rear deck panels off (need to take the rear seats out in the process), and run the wires to the top of the rear deck. I used electrical tape for now to hold them in. I'll need some high heat tape for the summer (It's in storage right now)
-Run high gain wireless antenna to the same spot. Figure out how to orient it for best signal.
Connect joycon to steering wheel and dsc buttons. Set them shits up. - This is the next step for the next weekend I go down to where it's stored.
Run USB to front of the car so I can plug things in. Figure out ideal location for usb ports. -On the fence about this now. Might consider the armrest. I realised I could remove the cigarette lighter and use that area for two/3 usb ports. - Half done! : D I ran the power for the usb hub, and it's sitting in the trunk. I need to grab the second hub and run that to the armrest. Which I will do soon.
Fix HVAC connections Refix hvac and hvac screen Fixed it, by rerunning the wire that was pooched. A new harness is being shipped to me from a partout sale, though. Will be installing that again, too.
Run amp wire. Buy door speakers. Run the wires and have audio back in my car
Reinstall windows 7 but use the 32 bit version instead. -_________- Done.
Just need to run front speakers. Speakers are ran, now I just need to figure out how to force matrix surround on the speakers (Make all 4 speakers push the same sound at the same level.


All in all, everything is working, for all intents and purposes, save for convenient
usb and subs, and the steering controls.

Those will be knocked off within two weeks, I hope. I also bought another touchscreen to put in my winter 2002 subaru 2.5ts, so I can just move the computer from one car to the next, since I only drive one car at a time. I'm going to set up the carputer mount in the rx8 so it's easily removable. all I'll need to do is disconnect the power harness, a video cable, and a single usb (I'll run it into a hub and hide that in the rear deck, so it's stealthy and easy to disconnect).
Not sure how I'll make the screws easy to connect/disconnect, though. Hm.

A little update. I have horrible alrernator whine. It seems worse when I use the usb sound card. I need to figure out why that is. I've got an install guy that's going to help me with the ground issue.

Beyond that, I've installed the subs, but they're just sort of tossed into the back of the trunk, and are just laying. Don't look very good like they are. I need to figure out a good way to tether the box into the trunk. Driving quickly causes the thing to slide around, and the last thing I want is to damage the box/computer/amps/whatever. I need to mount the carputer with the install dude, too. I might have to cut into the deck to make it fit. I'm hoping I don't fuck with the frame's integrity. I don't think I am, though. Beyond that, I have to crack open the armrest/dash and install the joycon. I'm super lazy about that, because I don't really want to spend all that time in there. BUT. It's gotta be done!

Uhm. What else. All my LEDs are installed. That's pretty cool. That's about it! It's almost done, in a professional DONE looking way.

UPDATE TIME! : D



WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


Okay! Big stuff! HUGE STUFF! I'm almost done! Hahaha weeeeee




So, I hooked up the joycon controller. That thing works like a charm. Volume up and down and next and previous track work awesome. For some reason the mute button is pausing, and it's not working like a toggle, so I have to touch the screen to unpause instead of pressing the steering wheel controls. I'll have a video up of the joycon program running.

The carputer is properly mounted, using a strap that used to hold the spare tire inflation kit. The subs are in properly-ish, I might need to get it tucked in a little more, but it's great for now.

All I have to do now, would be to re-run the wires again so that they can snake around, and go behind the wall of the carpet, and then down by the car jack kit, and over to the amps. Then, a piece of firbeboard with carpetting on it, to cover up the amps, and then I'm done done done done.


Beyond that, as far as extras go, I bought a logitech 1080p webcam which I plan on mounting on the front of the car (Has a really cool blue light that comes on when it's in use), and I'd like to look into using one for the rear camera, as well, if possible. That's just extra stuff though. Apparently centrafuse can view and record multiple USB cam sources at once, but I can't get it to do it just yet.


For some reason, the thing doesn't want to upload the images so here you are:

Attachment 289680

Attachment 289681

Attachment 289682

And an edit to provide my carpc to do list.



- Mount the carputer to where the old bose system was DONE!
- mount the carputer so the subs fit properly. Friggin' done!
- mock up final position for the ground and power blocks and then hide and tuck all the wires. Add wire looming, if necessary. Done, sort of! The amps are all mounted, and I didn't need any ground or blocks. Just need to do the looming, I guess, and running it under the carpet.
- Connect joycon to steering wheel and dsc buttons. Set them shits up. DIGGITY DONE!
Run USB to front of the car so I can plug things in. Going to use armrst. Just have to run one more USB hub to go underneath the the armrest. Should probably consider mounting the usb hub that's in the trunk, so that it's out of the way of everything.

Anyone tried interfacing a carputer into the ac/heating.
Make it a auto climate control from the manual selecting fan speeds etc?

Yup, there's a usb based product that can control all of the climate controls, and pretty much anything else, like windows and stuff. That's a little too involved for me, though.