Have any of you guys installed a car-puter (In Car Computer) ??

The reason Im asking is I have just scored a Micro PC (its a little bigger than a laptop) in a computer upgrade I did.

The PC is a PIII 600 with 256 Megs RAM, onboard audio, video, lan. CD-ROM, FDD, and a 10 gig HD.

I'm thinking about mounting it under the passenger seat and getting an inverter to power it.

All I will need to buy some sort of small LCD Monitor, (Maybe touch screen) and install a wireless NIC so I can update the system from my driveway or hack into other people's wireless LAN's while driving down the street... (Kidding)

Oh I also have a serial remote for my PC which I could use, so I wont need a keyboard and mouse most of the time.

Now the question is how do I hook it up to my stereo system so I can play MP3's ?
My deck has a CD-Changer can I use that ? Or do I need some sort of FM Transmitter ?

Anyone else do this ?

I was also thinking I could install a USB GPS unit and maybe some map software.

THOUGHT ? IDEAS ? SUGGESTIONS ? AM I CRAZY ?

 

I've always wanted to do this... actually bought a small internet appliance when I was in highschool but ended up breaking it before I could use it :-(

check out http://ashleypowers.com/
I met him when I was hanging out at http://www.twinturbo.net a 300zx board. he's done some awesome work to his cars.

as far as connecting to your stereo, you'll need to go from a sub-mini connection (sound card out) to two RCA connections (line in) on your stereo most likely. you can pick up a splitter that does this at radio shack.

if your stereo doesn't have a line-in, you'll need to get one that does. look for something with mini-disc support or cd-changer support. that usually means it accepts input from some other source. Does your deck have a CD-changer built in, or is it separate?

 

Oh yeah,
Microsoft Mappoint... whatever it costs, GET IT! I got it free from work but it's very cool. not sure if it integrates with GPS. hopefully it will soon if not already.

I used it on my last vacation. It found routes through forest service roads that most ppl didn't even know existed!

 

You could get an FM modulator that converts your line out to an FM channel, usually in the 80 range.

 

Thanks... I'll look into an FM Moduator. (How do they sound)

My main concern is how to power up and power down the PC. Id like it to start up when I start the truck and power down when I turn it off...

I dont want to kill the battery by leaving the PC Running accidently.

 

Just found this power supply for my carputer setup

OPUS Solutions Smart DC-DC power supply (Patent Pending) is designed specifically for ATX, uATX, FlexATX, Mini ITX motherboards used in an automotive enviroment.

link:
click

So I may be going ahead with this install within the next few weeks.

Plans are as follows:
PC with turn on and shut down with IGN key.
Play MP3's threw stereo system,
Wireless Network to xfer files, Update system,and other stuff
USB GPS Unit. (will need to find some Canadian maps software)
USB XM Radio <<< Just found this device on ebay for like 89 bucks. This mean Satilite Radio.
Small LCD Screen.
Vioce controll and needs to work with my remote
Probably run WIndows CE or Linux (Faster boot times)

MAN MY GIRLFRIEND IS GOING TO HATE ME

 

Outside of the help you'll get from folks here, there's lotso information at:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/

 

yup, mp3car.com is a good place. I'm actually selling a complete system for $900 with a 7" touchscreen and a shutdown controller, and basicallly everything you need for it. I installed it in my runner, but took it out cuz i had a feeling i would eventually crash because of it. I found myself looking at the screen too long to look for a song. But...plenty of people can do fine with one.

 

i believe there is something called windows 98 lite. you might want to lookinto that as well.

po'boy here on YT knows alot about this stuff. so does adamf over at ODW. adam is occassionally here too. he's cool as well.

bob

 

mp3car.com - Id look in their classifieds sections first. There are a lot of guys that are well kind of like here...buy a bunch of stuff then sell it a few months later. There are a lot of complete systems.

Xenarc is pretty much the way to go for touch screens. They make a nice VGA one so you dont loose clarity going with a TV out video card and a normal LCD TV screen.

As far as getting it to turn on with the truck...I thought about doing that for a while...but there are just tooo many times that I didnt want it to turn on (ie quick drive, moving cars, ect.). I suggest just extending the on/off swich to your dash somewhere. I did that and it was just as easy to hit the switch when I wanted it on. I ran a AC/DC converter for a while wich I had on a relay with the ignition...so the comp turned off with the truck.

There are some cool pc's out there that run off 12-18v...My last setup was one (called the Ezgo). Just ran it to the battery...no problems whatsoever doing that. Good little computers too.

As far as sound to your HU. FM transmitter is the easiest and you wont loose that much sound quality...however do a search on MP3CAR.com and there are some little converters that will turn your CD Changer input into a normal AUX in.

OS's I never kept up with the project, but a few guys were talking about windows XP embedded...instant boot. Seemed like a cool idea, but I never saw it through. Check out the Frodo Player and the various other software on mp3car.com - check out what people are running nowadays. I'm pretty much out of the loop, but I check back in every now and then.

Let me know if you need anymore info...but seriously go over to mp3car.com - cool group of nerdy kids over there

 

most likely you won't be able to hook up your laptop to the cd changer input. I tried to do that with my Sony deck. It's usually possible, but only with an adapter. Sony's adapter is over $200. My setup....

inverter under the hood with power switch on the dash and black power outlet where the old lower dash mounted speaker was. I've got cables to hook my laptop up directly to my amplifier for music. Then I've got my GPS with a USB adapter to hook it up to the laptop and a wireless USB 802.11B adapter for wardriving. Amazing how many networks are in my area. Logged 156 just driving on a couple main streets(didn't drive on side streets) and that was in maybe 20 minutes.

 

No you are definitely not crazy, I sorta have the setup your looking to go for.

Stick with the OPUS, I didn't wish and I did, it's the choice power supply if you can swing the cost. I will switch once I get a chance to in the future.

USB gps mouse's are made you can get one on e-bay.

I use ROUTIS as my nav software.

The lcd is a major decision. I would def get a touchscreen, the main reason is saftey I've played with using a touchpad and mouse with a carputer, and the touchscreen is the safest by far in my opinion. You need much less concentration to use it. As for the lcd itself if you want to have navigation you need a high resolution monitor so it can display the information you want to read. Options are the Xenarc said before, or Lilliput, or one made by this guy . I have one and it works, not perfect since it's a custom job but the only one of it's type. A foldout monitor with a touchscreen able to display 1600x1200 not that you can read it that small however.

If you have further questions I'd be happy to help, I'm really busy till Sept. (middle of home remodle) but after that I'll have plenty of time.