Hey all!!

I've gotten to the point that I think a CarPC would be REALLY helpful in my car rather than just a novelty. Having GPS, all of my MP3s, internet connection (via cell), and having a computer to track my mileage would really help me out. Right now, I have to carry my mp3 player, TREO 650, mileage book, and cell phone every time I get into the car to drive to gigs (I'm a musician). I'd like to just have everything all in one.

I've searched for previous CarPC setups and they have answered many questions but here are a few specific questions I'd like answered:

1. I want this to be a "semi-permanent" install. I dont mind fiberglassing around the radio because I can just replace that whole bezel if I ever decide to sell the car but I dont want to have to hack anything up.. I do not want a "roll out" type screen.. What size screen can I put in place of the radio that will totally fill out that space without actually cutting anything?? Basically, I want a screen that will fit there and can be fiberglassed for asthetics but I dont want to have to CUT anything to put a huge screen in.

2. Are there any good, prebuilt systems?? I've seen many on e-bay that go for about $500 or so but I didn't know if I could build something myself for a better price. Ideally, I'd like to order the computer itself prebuilt because it always happens that I forget something and have to wait for more parts. Plus, this just would be a time saver for me.

3. I really don't want to have to go with an external amp. I'd just like to put a stereo in the compartment under the A/C controls that has some type of input. I don't want/need anything louder than what the stock stereo puts out. Will most aftermarket radio's (that will fit in that compartment) put out as much volume as the stock radio? Are there any suggestions for a good radio for this type of application that would break my pocketbook?

4. Where is a safe place to actually install the PC that would allow proper ventilation?? It can't go into the trunk anywhere because I load all of my music equipment back there. I was considering under one of the seats but, from what I understand there is a heater vent under one of the seats. Also, I dont know if this is a concern, but I'd be worried about in the winter time if someone tracks in snow it'll get into the computer.

Any other general suggestions anyone has would be GREATLY appreciated

 

you dont have to mount the pc in the case.. you can build all the components together and have it like under the glove box.. for ventilation you can get copper bypass hose and water cool it.. using either the heater core.. or buy a water cooling kit.. or not even water cooling just passive cooling with copper piping to get the heat away from the cpu..

unless you plan on overclocking it.. which isnt needed for basic things like movies, mp3s or a navigation system.. everything should be fine

 

hmm I didnt know that.. Althought I wouldnt need it, I'd still want to keep it in a case just so I can just unplugged everything and take the box out if I wanted to. I just want to make sure its somewhere where it'll be out of the way of the normal car usage.

 

give it a few more months

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/en/n...20Grunder.html

 

I have mine mounted inside the dash. I originally purchased a case that is known as an Ampie or VoomPC. They are bothe the same thing. The case would not fit inside the dash, but the bottom plate from the case fits perfectly between the Heater vents. I've had it in there for close to a year with no problems.



I used the "Car PC Kit M-12" kit from short-circuit.com. That comes with the motherboard, power supply, and case. It is a pain to wait for off the wall parts that don't come with it, but that is the nature of the beast.

As far as a screen goes, you should be able to use any 7" without heavy modification. Just be sure it's a TFT VGA. I got my generic(Super AKA Avatar) one on ebay for about $200. It works just fine. This is what a 7" will look like:



I use an external amp and have no head unit. I don't see why you couldn't do that though. If you don't have a reason to use one, you might want to look into an amp. Even a small 25w x 4 amp should do the trick just fine.

If you do decide to DIY it, and have any specific questions about parts, I'd be happy to help you out. I've already been through a ton of trial and error, and I'm finally at a point where I'm very happy with it

 

anyone interested in carpc should definitely check out www.mp3car.com - great info out there, and several ppl from this board are there as well.

 

Thanks for the help!!! It looks like a 7in is the way to go.. I'm not sure if a 8in can squeeze in. It looks like a 8in would be fine horizontally but not vertically.

I like how you have the MB under the dash but thats a bit more work than what I want to do.

Although I like the amp idea, I like the idea of actually having a head unit just incase the computer dies for some reason. It would REALLY suck to be on a 5hr drive and the computer dies 1hr into it. I know the chances are unlikely, but you never know with Windows.

Is something like this a good deal? :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carputer-GPS-voi...QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like the only thing it would need is the powersupply unit for the car..

 

That doesn't look half bad. I would be a little concerned about tech support if something happened to break. It's also a refurb (used) pc, but that's not a big deal if everything works.

The only other concerns I would have are the screen wires and the dvd/cd drive. You might have to modify the wiring of the screen in order for the wires to clear the vent slider in the dash. At the bottom it says the dvd drive is an add on. You can get a better dvd writer for less money.

If you want something that is fairly complete that won't need a huge amount of modding, it would probably work fine. You might want to poke around on the site that cherryBox mentioned to see if anyone has actually tried one.

 

i actually have been wanting a vehicle to do this too.. i build computers for fun.. been doing it for almost 8 years now.. id like to take it to another level.. my biggest concerns however are the vibrations in the vehicle could shake loose some components.. i was thinking of sticking the storage space next to the spare tire.. but from building pc's i know the case isnt needed..

 

ill be putting a apple mini mac in my xb when i finish my stereo up

 

Best deal would be to purchase a mac mini. This is a complete computer built into a tiny box. Install it into your misc bin below your a/c controls. Then place a track pad like a laptop has on the inside of the bins lid. Then place a 15'' LCD screen into your current H/U's position. It takes some fiberglass work but I had all the parts and was doing this same thing with my turbo xb! That is the best and most inexpensive cleanest way.

 

Well, I finally broke down and bought all the parts tonight. I'm going to try to keep a log and photos of everything I do if I dont get too excited and just start taking stuff apart.

 

What parts did you go with?

 

If anyone is interested, 22hrs later, the CarPC is done.. Some pictures of the interior torn up, the great work my dad did fiberglassing the screen in, and everything together..No exciting pictures of the computer itself.

 

Very nice!

 

From the pics it looks nice. If I ever finish my scion skin for rr, I'll send you a copy

 

Thanks!!

Man, I do need to put some cleaner on that dash board though.. Cant really tell until you take a picture of it!