View Full Version : New CarPC project
Just thought I'd share some progress pics of my CarPC project.
The base unit is a Dell SX260 with P4 2.4, 20Gb hdd and 768Mb RAM.
Running into a cheap ebay screen - it works perfectly at 800x600 and even has TV input. (A fat lot of good that is over here, but it does work with a normal TV aerial.)
Belkin USB G+ wireless adaptor
BU353 USB GPS receiver.
Audio out from the PC will be routed into the aux socket of my Alpine headunit through an adaptor cable.
I'm running Centrafuse software with a couple of extra plugins (Calculator and Calendar).
Mapping is built in using Destinator and I managed to get hold of UK maps. :)
Just sorting out the PSU and then it'll be eady to install. Can't wait. :D
A few pics:
Looking very good :)
Where are you going to locate the dell?
Can you run your sat nav and music at the same time?
Cheers
Looking very good :)
Where are you going to locate the dell?
Can you run your sat nav and music at the same time?
Cheers
Cheers Todd.
I'm looking at mounting the Dell either behind the pass seat or flat in the boot. Unfortunately I think it's just a bit too big to stand up against the back boot wall. PSU will fit under the pass seat.
See the pause button on the bottom of the satnav screen? Audio (or video soundtrack) keeps on playing, playing and playing. :)
Just checked out the demo
http://www.fluxmedia.net/default.aspx?s=demo
Pretty smart bit of kit :cool:
Quite nice isn't it? Spot the custom logo on mine?
The only problem is that it's still in time limited beta testing. He's due to go commercial soon and we're all waiting with bated breath to see how much he's going to charge us when our beta licenses run out.
If it's too much I can see a mass exodus with everyone switching to RoadRunner instead. :(
smart. i really want to start on my CarPC.
if you dont mind me asking, how much is this costing? and are you gonna connect the PC up to an AMP and your speakers etc etc...
I originally guessed at about a thousand - but am well under that because I did the main bits on the cheap. Instead of buying or building a mini ITX I used a secondhand mini desktop and 140W DC-DC PSU. Instead of a branded over specced monitor I took a gamble on an ebay cheapie.
PC £170
Touch screen monitor £170
PSU £75
Add extra RAM, GPS AE, Wireless AE and about £50 for stuff like cables etc and I reckon all up it was about £550.
Oh, and the PC runs off an external power brick so I bought a second Dell PSU (another £30) to cannibalise so I can still use the PC indoors anytime I like.
I've got an Alpine CDA9812RX headunit that's got a din socket on the back for a CD changer. Turns out Alpine do an adaptor to turn it into a standard aux input (look for KCA-121B). So the PC audio is going to be fed into that and out through the standard speakers. I'm not a huge audiophile (especially now I've got a new exhaust ;)) so that'll do me fine. :)
Mostly it was a project to keep me busy now I've been made redundant. That and adding in-dash satnav instead of having a mess of cables for the TomTom PDA.
Anyone want to buy a Mio168 complete with TomTom6 and all the maps you can shake a stick at? LOL
is it possible to run tomtom on a windows pc like this?
why do you still need the alpine headunit. Can you not run everything through this? (get a seperate amp)
Hi Imi,
Yes you can run TomTom, but it's a bit of a pain as you have to enable the GPS dongle each time you go in. (If you keep it enabled in the PDA Emulator it can't find the com port on switch-on.) There's a thread about it on MP3car.com: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=77148&highlight=pda+emulator
As for the Alpine, why should I ditch it? How else will I get radio in the cab unless I invest in a radio receiver for the PC. And if I wanted to play a CD I'd have to climb in the boot to insert it. :)
The screen is a 1 din popout and will fit just nicely above the Alpine. No need to spend even more than I already have on amps etc. ;)
Finished building the PSU today so as soon as I get a toggle switch capable of handling 15W I'm ready to install.
I've decided that I'm going to put a switch on the main battery line to the PSU to control all the power. The Dell's got a "power on when supply is connected" feature that is very handy. :)
Quick update - I've installed RoadRunner as it's FREE. CentraFuse looks like it's going to be £100+ when released in April. :(
Just a few software tweeks left to do then in it goes.
PSU's all finished - I even did myself a handy little wiring diagram for future reference. :)
I was a bit thick looking for a 15A switch (as my Brother quickly pointed out) - a relay does the job so much better.
I wish this bloody weather would ease up for a day or two. I got no garage or anywhere else under cover to get this fitted. :(
Looking good. :)
I installed something quite similar year ago:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=68648
Now I have decided to install a mini-pc instead of the laptop. Good luck with your project.
Thanks. :)
The touch screen's now in and tested with a laptop. Works fine, and the audio works OK through the Alpine Aux-in (eventually!)
All the wiring runs under the pass side carpet and under the rear seats so keeping the interior as stock as possible.
Just got to fabricate a bracket for the PC so it can sit nice and low behind the rear seats and hook up the power to the battery.
WooHoo it's finished. :D
I'll get some pics up as soon as I can. :)
looking forward to it......
Installed pics at last. :D
I've put a cover over it so it's not obvious from outside that anything's fitted. Just a bit of parcel shelf matting cut to fit.
GPS dongle and USB Wireless are mounted at the sides, PSU is under the passenger seat.
saw this today at triton, its the shizz
Whitesupraboy2
20-01-07, 17:47
I would of liked to see this, next time im not bringing a girlfriend!
looking good mate! Very similar to my last one.
I used RoadRunner - its not bad at all :)
I would of liked to see this, next time im not bringing a girlfriend!
bring 2;)
Do you have to have a wi-fi subscription to get internet in your car in any part of the country???
Saw this in the flesh last night, superb quality job, almost looks oem.
Do you have to have a wi-fi subscription to get internet in your car in any part of the country???I've just got a standard WiFi USB dongle. It only gives me a connection outside my house - or where there is an unsecured network.
Saw this in the flesh last night, superb quality job, almost looks oem.
Thanks Charlie. ;)
Ivan - quick question buddy.
I have now had two of these screens and both of them suffer from interference in the car....what's your experience of that and did you manage to overcome it.
you need a ground loop thingy...forget the full name...but you put it inline on the audio preout cables....i had problems with the screen i use at first and this sorted it (about £9 from maplin)
I use centrafuse in mine....all going well got the blackberry setup for business hands free too...I'll get some pics up soon
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