Car PC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Enterprise Al
Car PC
Would anybody with a car pc be willing to share some tips? Im planning to start building a computer this winter. I don't have that big of a budget so I'm having a friend build the computer for me.
Questions:
What do you guys do as far as cooling? Will the computer be ok sitting in the car all day?
I saw in a post about a way to have the computer shut down safely after the car is turned off. Info on what was used for that?
I have a Kenwood 7015. Is there a way to use the touchscreen to run the computer? If I use another source to operate the computer will i be able to use that as a screen?
I've seen a lot of cool designs for backgrounds and programs. Where do you get those from? I am not good with software. If you you make them yourselves is there any way that you could make the programs for others?
I do know how to modify. That is not the issue with me. I just know absolutely nothing about computers and software. Any help will be appreciated.
Questions:
What do you guys do as far as cooling? Will the computer be ok sitting in the car all day?
I saw in a post about a way to have the computer shut down safely after the car is turned off. Info on what was used for that?
I have a Kenwood 7015. Is there a way to use the touchscreen to run the computer? If I use another source to operate the computer will i be able to use that as a screen?
I've seen a lot of cool designs for backgrounds and programs. Where do you get those from? I am not good with software. If you you make them yourselves is there any way that you could make the programs for others?
I do know how to modify. That is not the issue with me. I just know absolutely nothing about computers and software. Any help will be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
cooling is largely based on what motherboard you choose. to be safe go with the via mini-itx boards, they are low power boards which also means low heat boards. My current install has the computer pretty much hidden in the same compartment as my sub amp. I opted to have 4 fans (two intake and two exhuast) to circulate some air around. I think i may also add a fan to push air over the amps heatsink for added protection.
the hardware taht shuts down the computer is called a 'shutdown controller' the best one as of now is the m2-atx power supply with integrated shutdown controller.
you wont be able to us the kenwood as your touchscreen unless you are very very very skilled and even then it wont be cheap or easy.
what you are talking about; i think, is called a front end. each front end is 'skinnable' allowing you to costum design the way the interface looks. if you're not good with photoshop then i suggest just using the default skin or downloading what others have done. The two major players for frontends are: centrafuse and roadrunner aka 'RR'
check out www.mp3car.com for more info and hardware
the hardware taht shuts down the computer is called a 'shutdown controller' the best one as of now is the m2-atx power supply with integrated shutdown controller.
you wont be able to us the kenwood as your touchscreen unless you are very very very skilled and even then it wont be cheap or easy.
what you are talking about; i think, is called a front end. each front end is 'skinnable' allowing you to costum design the way the interface looks. if you're not good with photoshop then i suggest just using the default skin or downloading what others have done. The two major players for frontends are: centrafuse and roadrunner aka 'RR'
check out www.mp3car.com for more info and hardware
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
its a huge PITA if you want to go with all custom software. I found just using WinXP w/ all its standard apps (media player, etc) was the easiest option.
I tried several carpc applications and they all had their pro's and cons.
PM me if you want my life story on this subject.
I am a crazy though, as I plan to start the project all over again in my Vette.
Here are some of the pics from the install I did in my Tiburon.
http://joestradingpost.com/pix/ProjectCarPC03/
http://joestradingpost.com/pix/ProjectCarPC04/
I am picking up some C4 dash radio bezels in a couple weeks to try this all over again in the Vette though since I am selling the Tiburon. i pulled everything out.
a few simple specs though:
Lilliput 7" Widescreen touchscreen (easy to mold them into the dashes and works great)
old laptop for the PC itself. Worked great.
power to laptop was run with an inverter, power for touchscreen came from the same wires I ran to run my head unit.
The sound was connected from the headphone jack on the laptop to an FM modulator (sucks) which then broadcast into my head unit. This was the simplest method I found to acomplish the entire project.
I have a LOT better ideas for version 2 now though to make it waayy better.
I could talk about this all day.
I tried several carpc applications and they all had their pro's and cons.
PM me if you want my life story on this subject.
I am a crazy though, as I plan to start the project all over again in my Vette.
Here are some of the pics from the install I did in my Tiburon.
http://joestradingpost.com/pix/ProjectCarPC03/
http://joestradingpost.com/pix/ProjectCarPC04/
I am picking up some C4 dash radio bezels in a couple weeks to try this all over again in the Vette though since I am selling the Tiburon. i pulled everything out.
a few simple specs though:
Lilliput 7" Widescreen touchscreen (easy to mold them into the dashes and works great)
old laptop for the PC itself. Worked great.
power to laptop was run with an inverter, power for touchscreen came from the same wires I ran to run my head unit.
The sound was connected from the headphone jack on the laptop to an FM modulator (sucks) which then broadcast into my head unit. This was the simplest method I found to acomplish the entire project.
I have a LOT better ideas for version 2 now though to make it waayy better.
I could talk about this all day.
Last edited by GIJoe; Oct 5, 2006 at 03:47 PM.
