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This seams like the best category for this:
I working on buildign a computer into the trunk of my Sebring. "Why?" you ask. Because I can. anyhow, I have the base computer built but I have a few delimias I need help with.
1) How do you deal with providing power. I am going to use a power inverter, but how can I deal with a) not killing my car battery and b) deal with the sudden power offs (when you turn the car off)?
2) Where can I get a good, cheap dispaly screen? Obvioulsy I don't need a 21" CRT monitor in my car. Something small would be great.
3) How do I deal with input? Should I go for a touch screen? Wireless mouse and keyboard? Wireless mouse and a software keyboard? Maybe a track ball or joystick?
What I paln to do is put the computer in the trunk. It has a cd rom drive and a flash disk (more tollerant of bumps than a hard drive). It also was a usb web cam mounted outside the car for backing up/viewign behind the car. Wi-Fi and high gain antenna, and also a plug to connect my cell phone for almost unrestricted internet access anywhere. Any other things I should add?
PS: Forgot to mention, I paln to mount the Display inside the glove box or the center consol so it can be hidden when parked.
-Ryan Adams
http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/
You should be running a 12 volt power supply rather than an inverter. You could use a UPS type shutdown on low battery voltage. An isolated auxillary battery (RV style) would be nice. A touchscreen flat panel is nice but expensive. Also will the flat panel survive the heat of summer. A portable DVD player screen might work if you have a TV out video card. Actually a converted laptop might be better.
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As far as using it while driving... not in the sense of liek typing away. But i do want it to dispaly maps, play music, etc. while I am driving. If i don't do a touch screen, how should I work the input devices?
-Ryan Adams
http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/
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>...how should I work the input devices?
You should pull over to the side of the road.
HTH
Dave
If Wile Coyote had enough money for all that Acme crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
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What you need is voice control with a heads-up display. That way you can see the road and display at the same time.
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"What you need is voice control with a heads-up display. That way you can see the road and display at the same time."
Now that's the ticket!
How about putting a laptop under the passenger seat? With that you could then network it with the desktop in the trunk and this would give you a removable monitor.
Better yet; just use the laptop and that way you have a removable computer that does not reply on any other power source.
Wait a minute: Isn't that what they made laptops or protable computers for in the first place? I digress.
Unless you have the headsup do pull over before using a computer in an automobile.
Bryan
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A PC computer in a car, what an idea. Now all I need to figure out is how to get my stove in the car so I can fix breakfast while I drive to work.
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How about a good place to mount my radio alarm clock?
It's sitting on the dash right now, and the snooze button is kinda hard to reach.
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I solved that problem along time ago. I use the same power inverter the PC runs off of to power a coffee pot and an electric range. Works good.
-Ryan Adams
http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/
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You don't need a power inverter... You're just stepping the power up in order to step it down again.
Almost all computer components (except for CRT's) use the following DC voltages; +12V, -12V, +5v, and -5v.
The power supply in your computer has a high voltage section that steps 120V Ac down to +12v Dc and then a filter/converter section that smooths and converts it from there.
Open the power supply, isolate and delete the high voltage section. Then plug it in to your car battery.
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http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92972/image3.jpg
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92972/image4.jpg
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92972/image5.jpg
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/92972/image6.jpg
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im also planning on putting a computer on my computer... the system im planning to install is from my old AMD 950MHZ computer and everything on it. for input devices, im going to put a track ball at the center console and a touchscreen monitor is optional.
ill have a keyboard handy, though hidden until a need arises that i would need to use it. i'd try to keep everything click and drag to keep things simple.
ill throw in a USB, firewire hub and ethernet connection on the dashboard when i need to load new files by USB or or do a direct link to a laptop by crossover cable.
ill connect the audio into my car radio, and ill have my sounds playing straight into my audio system... on all speakers instead of laptop speakers.
as far as power go... im debating whether to stick it to a cigarette lighter or connect it straight to the battery. if it's a direct connection, the computer won't shut down when ignition is turned off. though i've got to remember to shut it off or ill drain my battery. and as far as modding the power supply, ill try looking into that or have a professional do it for me.
the reason i want to put a computer is that it would be my main source of audio and video player on my car. what every you can install on a desktop, you'll have in your car-system. TV, DVD, VCD, CD, MP3 player, wireless internet.
why buy a $600-$2000 audio video system when i can have one made from the spare parts i already have. all i need is a monitor.
keep it clean and aesthetic and it will be just as great as any car audio-video system. and upgradeable too.
--------------------ei ryan... tell me how your project goes. im interested on its outcome.
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What Im thinking is a step beyond that again,i want a pda/laptop to be the brain of the car to as well as being on the audio/video side,route the ignition through it so hit a button on the screen to start the car, the computer management side,ignition curves,fuel curves also be controlled by the laptop along with any other fucxtions normally controlled by the car computer, all on the fly so if more boost is needed you just dial it in. so essentially you have the computer as a portable laptop/pda still and the key/brain for the car, and the ultirmate in car security.
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http://www.cartft.com/
Check this site out, it has car pcs, and all the accessories like inverters etc
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