My CarPuter installation
03-05-2005, 02:33 AM
#27
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MM, back on topic 
, what are you using to mount the components to the underside of the console? Did you glue brackets in? Also are you using any vibration insulators, like foam?
, what are you using to mount the components to the underside of the console? Did you glue brackets in? Also are you using any vibration insulators, like foam?
03-05-2005, 09:59 AM
#31
Originally Posted by Hou-TX-RX-8
Your Stereo display says EX1. I was wondering what that was from?
Originally Posted by Tamas
Probably from the PIE aux-in adapter.
Originally Posted by Hou-TX-RX-8
Where is the DVD player mounted?
Originally Posted by Labop
MM, back on topic , what are you using to mount the components to the underside of the console? Did you glue brackets in? Also are you using any vibration insulators, like foam?
Originally Posted by Zaku-8
very nice install.
can you explain what you did with the laptop innards, how you hooked them all together? Did you use the VGA connection to the touchscreen?
can you explain what you did with the laptop innards, how you hooked them all together? Did you use the VGA connection to the touchscreen?
Then, I got some ribbon cables for re-attaching the hard drive and DVD drive.
There is no kbd - the touchscreen is the only input.
The display part is VGA.
03-05-2005, 10:25 AM
#32
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Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
Nope. I just put aluminum-backed insulating wrap over the sheet metal.
As it stands now, the center compartments are freezing cold. But, it is winter.
I never had heat problems there to begin with.
The touch screen was the most expensive component at $400.
The laptop was $125 on E-Bay. The display tray was $130.
The GPS software with the GPS was a birthday present, but I think it is about $80.
I can play DVDs, I have a wireless network (so I can cruise the Internet if I can park close enough to a HotSpot). I can upload and download maps and car data directly to my home network when I pull into my garage.
I can run my CANScan and E-Manage Support Tool. I can play Tetris and Mine Sweeper. :p
As it stands now, the center compartments are freezing cold. But, it is winter.
I never had heat problems there to begin with.
The touch screen was the most expensive component at $400.
The laptop was $125 on E-Bay. The display tray was $130.
The GPS software with the GPS was a birthday present, but I think it is about $80.
I can play DVDs, I have a wireless network (so I can cruise the Internet if I can park close enough to a HotSpot). I can upload and download maps and car data directly to my home network when I pull into my garage.
I can run my CANScan and E-Manage Support Tool. I can play Tetris and Mine Sweeper. :p
What's the processor on that laptop? How much memory?
You can cut some costs the screen and pickup a Liliput. There have been arguments back and forth about quality issues with both. Take your pick... http://www.mp3car.com search the numerous threads and you'll find info on them and the cheapest vendors to buy from. http://www.mini-itx.com also sells them.
Could you show come pics of how you access the DVD drive and how the console looks all assembled?
03-05-2005, 02:18 PM
#33
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sorry for the barrage of questions, but I realized recently (seeing an installed unit in person did it) that I want to try something like this. Really important question, power. Where's it coming from and how did you route it there? Did you tap off the cig lighter?
03-05-2005, 03:05 PM
#34
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Yeah maniac, do you use an inverter? My question is booting up and shutting down. Is there a way to auto-shut down o.s., or auto boot? I want to try this with the same setup, but use a mac instead of windows.
03-05-2005, 03:19 PM
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Well, I went to mp3.com, seems like everything else, it is more support for a windows pc. Found device to shut down, boot up for pc, but does anyone know of something like this for the mac?????????I hate windows, someone help me find resources for the mac please.
03-05-2005, 04:07 PM
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greene, I'm also going to use a mac... :D
I'm actually going to use what is left of my powerbok (the processor and drives survived, yaay). It has a built in power saving, so I figure that would do the trick. I just need to get an external monitor hooked up to see if the output survived. I've also been looking for a resource for mac carputers, no luck yet tho. Until this happened I was considering getting a mac mini for just this purpose. Only down side would be running a windows shell to use Hymee's new canscan thing.
I think there has to be some sort of device for the mac. I know that UPS have them integrated with mac to shut it down for loss of power...
I'm actually going to use what is left of my powerbok (the processor and drives survived, yaay). It has a built in power saving, so I figure that would do the trick. I just need to get an external monitor hooked up to see if the output survived. I've also been looking for a resource for mac carputers, no luck yet tho. Until this happened I was considering getting a mac mini for just this purpose. Only down side would be running a windows shell to use Hymee's new canscan thing.
I think there has to be some sort of device for the mac. I know that UPS have them integrated with mac to shut it down for loss of power...
03-05-2005, 09:31 PM
#38
Originally Posted by greene76
Yeah maniac, do you use an inverter? My question is booting up and shutting down. Is there a way to auto-shut down o.s., or auto boot? I want to try this with the same setup, but use a mac instead of windows.
you simply need a dc to dc converter that is for the specific voltage...then put hook it into the car's electrical system
there is a small problem though...the battery on the laptop will die prematurely having it charged from the car due to the fluxations in voltage.
As for shut down...this is the easy part and the best part about a laptop in the car...since everything is already setup to run off battery you put in the power savings setup to, when the laptop is on battery power to auto shut off after a specific amount of time, this means when you turn off the car and remove the key it will autoshutdown but leave lets say a few minutes running programs if you wish OR if you are still using it it will continue to operate till it remains idle and auto shuts down.
Also instead of a full shut down you can set the laptop to hibernate instead...thus when you restart the laptop it continues from the previous spot, lets say playing music or watching a movie...perfectly
The difficulty is an auto startup procedure...you need a pulse relay...expensive and complicated to setup...it is lots easier to just have a remote power button
03-05-2005, 11:37 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by greene76
Well, I went to mp3.com, seems like everything else, it is more support for a windows pc. Found device to shut down, boot up for pc, but does anyone know of something like this for the mac?????????I hate windows, someone help me find resources for the mac please.
Try: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=71
03-06-2005, 04:20 AM
#40
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Originally Posted by truemagellen
there is no need for an inverter...laptops are inherently DC powered as are 90% of electronics...the plug to power a laptop is ac because there is a converter connected to it...the converter then plugs into the laptop
you simply need a dc to dc converter that is for the specific voltage...then put hook it into the car's electrical system
you simply need a dc to dc converter that is for the specific voltage...then put hook it into the car's electrical system
03-06-2005, 09:29 AM
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Thanks truemagellen/Japan 8. I found alot of the info I was looking for on mp3.com (great site). I have decided it would be easiest to go with a pc, much more support. Thanks guys.
03-06-2005, 10:01 AM
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You also need to remember that PC's are very voltage sensitive. Car's power systems coming off the alternator isn't stable at all. The dips in power will make a PC shutdown and the spikes will fry it. Your best bet is to buy a an "automotive" power supply which both creates a stable 12v rail, car audio amp power on/off, and PC startup/shutdown/hiberate. Opus is supposedly the best and most popular. The guys at mp3car have some others on sale that they have made...
03-06-2005, 11:30 AM
#44
Just get a Targus universal laptop DC power supply.
It takes an input voltage from 11v to 16v and spits out the 18v to 21v the laptop needs, independant of what the battery and alternator are doing at any given moment.
http://www.targus.com/us/product_det...?sku=PAPWR200U
That is what I'm using (and older version of that model).
It takes an input voltage from 11v to 16v and spits out the 18v to 21v the laptop needs, independant of what the battery and alternator are doing at any given moment.
http://www.targus.com/us/product_det...?sku=PAPWR200U
That is what I'm using (and older version of that model).
03-06-2005, 11:48 AM
#45
Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp
That'd only work if the laptops battery voltage is 12 or lower. My laptop runs at 18 volts so I can't do that.
03-09-2005, 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Tamas
Probably from the PIE aux-in adapter.