Sure can...

http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/cg...ion&key=AED800

LOL.. Daquiri?

 

Installing a DC/AC converter is really a huge waste. Essentially you are converting DC to AC and the PC will convert it back to DC to use. There are actually things called DC to DC converters which just regulate noisy DC power. They are more efficient, so their power output is potentially greater (i.e. you can plug in more things before blowing a fuse) They are available for most standard PC applications, so you can just replace the power supply in your PC with one of these for it to work in your car.

Here's a site to learn more

http://www.123-dc-to-dc-converter.com/

 

Oh yeah, about that fridge in your car....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/toys/622b/

Cheers!

 

everything will fit in the stock radio hole... use a liliput touchscreen can be had for about 300-350 all day long.. im mounting slot load DVD drive in the lower compartment and everything will be PC comtroled.. GPS nav, 120 gig HD, XM radio, FM radio, the DVD rom also plays CDs, MPS from the hard drive.. you use read ahead softaware to avoid skipping a DVD or CD in the car since no computer rom drive is made to handel that mutch bouncing.. annother thing I was thinking... hook a camerah up to it.. and have it record to DVD as in a DVD burner instaed of a rom... it could be a security deal.. or point the camerah forward for road racing videos and such.. a million and one things are to be had like this.. hopefully my system will be up and 100% in the next month.. Ive been busy with wheels and springs this week.. Oh and the problem with the MB in the trunk is standard ATA connections for the DVD drive that I want to mount in the dash is limited to somthing like 24 inches... now if I can find a Serial ATA DVD rom.. SATA it had a lot longer operating length from the MB and then its possible..

 

coo... yea, i was at that logisys or whatever site looking at them... falcon looks like it'll work nicely :D nice silver and black to match the interior. but i'm not into the touch screen, don't feel like wiping finger prints everyday... check out my mouse i'ma use.. heh

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_mk19a.htm

remote control style...

 

if everyone is so worried about heat why not use the EPIA boards that are built for low heat applications? http://www.mini-itx.com

they can be installed with a dc to dc converter mentioned in a super compact framework...


as for the LCD screen, I thought about but thought it would be too expensive, but those prices aren't too bad... still finger smudges on screens drive me absolutely nuts, maybe I'll have one of those asian screen wipers attached to it

 

If you're really into the carputer thing then go to this site and your brain will get fried with info and ideas. Everything you need to know is here.

http://www.mp3car.com

Waiting to get my touchscreen.

 

i'm just curious on the sizes, i wanna get the xenarc 700TS 7" lcd, but after taking measurements of the stock radio hole, its approx 8" x 4" and almost all 7" lcds are taller than 4" the xenarc one is 4.75", so i'ma have to be cutting into the dash on my xa to make it fit right?

 

has anyone looked into computers in cars? i went to al & ed's autosound to get a quote on installation and some items and they quoted me 641 for screen and install which I don't have a problem paying cause its lifetime warranty on labor. anyways i was talking to one of the techs and he said they did a similar setup that i want on a corvette and it had problems.
Wanted Setup: Falcon Pro slim tower micro PC in trunk with DVD unit in glove box, 7" screen custom in dash with xenarc touch screen kit to take place of stock radio and move stock radio to hide-away box below a/c controls.
Corvette Setup: Laptop in trunk with DVD unit in dash with 7" screen in dash.
the tech said that there was problems with putting pc's in cars. it causes alot of unwanted sound and the owner of the corvette had to use supressors and what not to keep the noise down, but it still made noise. i didn't really ask too many questions on what type of noise it was but i'm guessing feedback? i told them the pc i would use would be fanless so it would keep pc noise down, but they're telling me i should look into getting a box to hide-away the pc and keep the noise down. right now i'm in the process of buying the parts until i have everything then i will have them do the install.

anyone know anything about having a pc in the car and having "noise" problems? i don't doubt al & ed's autosound and it probably is true, but i'm just trying to find out what type of noise they're talking about and anyway of getting around it.

 

The Xenarc is prolly a bit pricey. Did you check out the items at

www.digitalww.com ?

The indash housing items are prolly best best. Keep lcd away from prying eyes when your not around :D

 

wow... thanks for the link. i'll check into it.. i don't really know if i'm going to go with a pc now just because of what al & ed's autosound told me.. if anyone can confirm or deny this then that'd help me decide. thanks tiber.

 

you think this looks alright?

 

i've got some secret Mac plans for my Box... we'll see how they pan out in the next few weeks

 

ok, now that everything is ordered i'll let some things go ;)

the Mac Box is gonna get hooked up with a 7" touchscreen up top with a slot loading DVD-ROM underneath, as well as a USB port for easy keyboard/game controller hookup

i'm moving the headunit to the lower storage area with a custom bezel (remove the door etc...)

CPU is gonna be a Powerbook G4 500Mhz logic board, 512mb ram, 200gb firewire drive, Airport wireless Networking, Bluetooth, GPS... running Mac OS 10.3.2


i'll have iTunes for MP3 playback with visuals, DVD Video on disc or via the hard drive, Route 66 for GPS navagaion, Bluetooth for syncing with my mobile phone or palm, Airport for when i just have to check my e-mail in my car (or downlaod some new Initial D DVD rips off the net!) and 200gb of storage for movies, music, and games (can anyone say the ENTIRE MAME archives??)

the hardest part wil be the custom bezels for the head unit and touchscreen, making the computer work will be cake.... hopefully i'll have it all up and running within a month... can't wait to bring it out to the meets

 

Awesome Besk!

What are you doing for power? Modded PS unit or power inverter? I see you said powerbook logic board. So does that mean its an intact powerbook or youve disassembled it?

 

did you check up with having a computer in the vehicle and getting extra "noise" from it? heard from al & ed's autosound tech that it causes feedback or something.

 

i think i'm going to use a dc to dc power supply to provide the power... as soon as i have all the peices i'll start messing around with how to get it all hooked up and i'll post a ton of pics

as for the powerbook, ya it's a powerbook g4 with a broken screen, no battery, no internal HD and no keyboard - so i'm going to make a custom case for all the components and tuck it under my drives seat, it's going to be a lot of stuff to lay out, especially since i'll have to run a usb hub, the gps, the bluetooth and the airport card (with a trick 5dB custom antenna for extra range)

noise shouldn't be an issue, the powerbook g4 has only 1 small fan for cooling, and it's computer controlled to only go on when needed, and i'll just insulate the 200gb drive so i can't hear it accessing - shouldn't be noisy at all

i'm dying to get the stuff, but it all wont be here until at least next week

 

I'm also making my carputer setup. The screen that I found was the best fit without cutting the dash is this one.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287621057

It's a high quality 7'' widescreen touchscreen with VGA input. If you are interested, let me know I can get you these screens for $300 plus 20 shipping & handling which is lower than Xenarc and Digitalww.


Features:
Touch Screen
On Screen Display Control
Full function infrared remote control
For PC, Server, GPS, and various VGA Use, Compatible with DVB/SDVD/DVD/VCD and security camera display
VGA input (15 pin D-SUB)
S-video input optional
Audio Input
Speaker built-in
PAL/NTSC multi-system, 2 video inputs
High resolution display - up to 1024x768 (HxV) formatted
CE approved

Specifications:
Screen Size: Diagonal 7"
15:9 Aspect Ratio
Supported Resolution: 1024 x 768 (HxV)
Dot Resolution: 2400(H) x 480(V) = 1,152,000 (dots)
LCD Brightness (w/o Touchscreen)*: 400 cd/m2
Display Brightness (w/ Touchscreen): 280 cd/m2
Contrast:
Viewing Angle:
Touch Screen Interface: USB port
Operating Voltage: DC 11-13V
Power Consumption: <9W
Operating Temperature:
Dimension (mm): 188W x 125H x 33D

 

im planning on having a little pc in my box since i get everything at wholesale it won't cost me a lot and i can build it myself i'll let everyone know how it is and how much everything cost me after its done.......and also if anyone needs anything in the computer department let me know or like flat screens...

 

ya, that's the lilliput 7" touchscreen that i ordered for my car, mine was $309 with shipping off ebay - hopefully it'll be in this week, and hopefully i'll have the laptop to start mocking up everything...

my goal is to have it all installed and running in 3 weeks time