Carputer Placement

[tCMetaLFReaK]

So, I'm considering designing a car-puter in my tC. "Why?" you may ask... why not? Could be useful!
For shows, some place to upload pics. Place PC based games (not really). Store digital video from shows. The possibilities are endless (to an extent).

So I was planning on using my new Kenwood DDX-6019 as the monitor, install a videocapture/video input device, sizable hard drive (maybe 200gb), all other stuff onboard, folding USB keyboard and handheld mouse.

Put the majority of it in the trunk? Maybe under the backseat? Any suggestions or ideas?

[aZepolyn]

probably in the trunk. are you using the space to the right of the spare? What about to the left, take out the tire chaning tools? ...or just take out the spare completely. You could put it under a seat, but will it get very much airflow in the middle of the summer? I know it prolly doesnt get too hot up there, but in a car under the sun it can get pretty toaste yea?

[tCMetaLFReaK]

I could get creative with vent duct work. Luckily my interior is black :blink:

[Anonymous]

I could get creative with vent duct work. Luckily my interior is black :blink:

I was going to mount the majority of stuff in the rear next to the spare.........easy access if need be but still hidden.....

[tCMetaLFReaK]

I was thinking of putting my amp back in that area.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of putting my amp back in that area.

Are you wanting to keep the spare tire?

[tCMetaLFReaK]

With my luck, I'll need to

[J3ST3R]

I am building one right now too!

I am putting computer in trunk, relocating the DVD/CD drive to the dash, as well as some sort of USB Hub

[tCMetaLFReaK]

Using a micro atx motherboard? What kind of enclosure/case? And how are you supplying power?

[Anonymous]

Using a micro atx motherboard? What kind of enclosure/case? And how are you supplying power?

I have a Dell 600M that I was going to use and I am wondering how hard it would be to run the DVD/CD-R drive to the front............would think a custom wire would do it for me.......

[tCMetaLFReaK]

I've seen this problem before, but someone was trying to do it with an XBox. There are IDE/USB converters you can use so you don't need an external enclosure for the drive.

Promised Links/Info:

USB Bridge to connect two USB type A connectors
http://www.delkin.com/delkin_products_usb_bridge.html

USB to IDE Adapters
http://www.rogerssystems.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=1399&CFID=2487398&CFTOKEN=78911615

I'm a computer geek. I mod my PC more than my cars!

[Anonymous]

Hmmm....that is anotehr idea.....just run a long USB cable for the USB hub and plu directly into that......

[aZepolyn]

Im thinking you'd almost have to run a USB to connect IDE's. Or just run an standard external CD/DVD drive with an extended USB. I don't think IDE's can transfer data over that length with any sort of reliability, if at all?

[whatmovesu]

Don't run a long cable trust me you will have problems.
What type of screen do you plan on running.
How will you run the PMU.

Just check out this site for information about Carputers www.mp3car.com

[aZepolyn]

I refuse to give in to someone else's ideas!!!!

what about ... what about for the CD/DVD you run an external DVD w/ USB and for the monitor you can run a VGA to AV adapter at the PC, then run A/V back up to the deck?

[tCMetaLFReaK]

Having VGA->RCA is definitely doable.

[whatmovesu]

just make sure you used a long cable. if you start using adapter you get latency issues that is what I am facing (probably the geek squad quality cable) It is not someone elses ideas I to help you avoid all the troubleshooting. I wouldn't have know to up the freq. of the screen if I had not gone there plus the store they have is nice in terms of carputer specific items especially PMU that can survive starting the car.

[aZepolyn]

yea, i went through there to find stuff and get me started. I found that the only issues I'd be running into is the placement/cables and heating/cooling of the PC itself. That's lead me to want to mount it under seats, but with fans and vents, or build it into the center consol? THat was something I tossed around in my mind for a while because relocating the AUX and CLA inputs would be pretty easy, but I use that valuable space myself, cant lose it.

[whatmovesu]

PM me your dimensions and I do some research for you. I can tell you a MacIntel (yes I am biased) would work cause you could stuff it under the seat. it is quiet and you get to use windows. Then only problem is powering it since the OPUS 1900 designed for Power PC macs isn't yet compatible with MacIntel's.

[whatmovesu]

what about building it in to the specifications of this

http://www.mp3car.com/store/images/mp915b.jpg that way it would still be a core PC yet fit in the dimensions of a Mac mini.

[Anonymous]

what about building it in to the specifications of this

http://www.mp3car.com/store/images/mp915b.jpg that way it would still be a core PC yet fit in the dimensions of a Mac mini.

Ooooh...that looks pretty........

I would use the Mac Mini when they come out with an Intel/Windows compatible one. Mount it under the front seat so there is ventilation and added cooling by running the A/C on floor. Or just custom mount the 600M case in the glove box area. I don't think that would be to hard.............do it side ways and have the CD-Rom facng out through a hole in the case and run a USB hub right next to it. Screen would be touchscreen in the dash. Take out my Headunit since the carputer would have the DVD already and just run MP3/CD from there as well. Can even hook up a nav unit through it as well.......

[J3ST3R]

Using a micro atx motherboard? What kind of enclosure/case? And how are you supplying power?

Its actually a mini-ITX motherboard and M1-ITX powersuppy, the drives are 2.5" slimline drives. Power for this power supply is supplied from the vehicle battery. they take an input from 6V-24V.



http://www.mp3car.com/store/images/case/ampie_big.gif

[aZepolyn]

is the ampie case functional for cooling? or is it just show?

[Anonymous]

is the ampie case functional for cooling? or is it just show?

I think it is functional....like a heat sink on a processor. To bad it wouldn't fit under my seat.......

[J3ST3R]

is the ampie case functional for cooling? or is it just show?

Its just for show.

[aZepolyn]

is the ampie case functional for cooling? or is it just show?

Its just for show.

assholes ... so whats the possibility of getting a broken large amp and using that casing?

[Anonymous]

I would have thought it could work like a heat sink........greater surface area equals hgher heat dissipation.......makes sense......

[aZepolyn]

I would have thought it could work like a heat sink........greater surface area equals hgher heat dissipation.......makes sense......

its going to depend on the design of the surface and what its actually made of. I doubt it transfers heat very well, it is kinda cheap when compared to soem of the fanless pc cases I've seen.


haha install something like this into yuor car, heating issue resolved, just keep it out of the sun and somehow diret airflowf rom a vent or AC over it. good to go

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=64&code=

[Anonymous]

I would have thought it could work like a heat sink........greater surface area equals hgher heat dissipation.......makes sense......

its going to depend on the design of the surface and what its actually made of. I doubt it transfers heat very well, it is kinda cheap when compared to soem of the fanless pc cases I've seen.


haha install something like this into yuor car, heating issue resolved, just keep it out of the sun and somehow diret airflowf rom a vent or AC over it. good to go

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=64&code=

Dude, I don't need to be doing any WoW while driving....... ;)

[aZepolyn]

lol
hell, I do
well
rather
I need to be playing FFXI while driving
mount me a monitor on the steerling wheel, and on the dash in front of me so I can look down and up and still be able to see the game.

that would be HOTT, almost as hot as naughty nurses .... :md:

[tCMetaLFReaK]

I prefer thermaltake stuff. But I heard a rumor that someone did cooling using the car radiator and tubing and stuff for their audio gear.

[Anonymous]

I prefer thermaltake stuff. But I heard a rumor that someone did cooling using the car radiator and tubing and stuff for their audio gear.

That would be awsome and unique.......major points.