Thread: Computer Install

Originally Posted by El Duderino

It's always interesting to see these kinds of projects.

There's been many solutions to the concept of having a computer in the car, for reasons of movies, boredom, music, videos pictures, etc, but one thing which many overlook is the upgradeability of these machines in a couple of years. Personally if I was looking for some longetivity of technology, Apple would be my choice as their products are superior for future-compatibility and reliability.

In my hotted up BMW I had a few years ago, I found it perfectly fine to have a 7" Toshiba laptop connected into the stereo system for music, it could run movies in any area of the car, plus could be stored in the glovebox and no suggestion of "steal me" when the vehicle was parked.

I don't have a computer installed in my Landy, but had a flip-out Soundstream 7" DVD/touchscreen/every bell and whistle screen unit in my Jeep for 1.5yrs. I didn't take the Jeep offroad that much, but the daily repetitive shocks n bumps screwed up the screen mechanism, and killed the headunit. Having learned from that expensive experience, I have ipod connectivity, as well as iphone/2nd ipod/ipad interface in the Landy, with the a length of cable able to be pulled from under the centre console...food for thought anyway:

I disagree with going with Apple. Apple may produce a better operating system but these days the hardware is almost identical. The only real difference is you pay a hell of a lot more for hardware in an Apple computer!
Plus, I do not know of a software equivalent of Centrafuse with Apple. It may exist but I don't know about it and doubt one exists.
I actually detest Windows and use Linux on 6 of the 7 computers I have operating in my home.
My long term plans are to dual boot on this car computer and install Linux and slowly build up a system that runs on Linux. But that will take time.
And as for the arguement of upgradability. Well, a mini motherboard these days are cheap and they have every feature onboard, plus they will only get cheaper as time goes on. So, I cannot see what your point is here at all.

Apple has it's place but what most people don't realise is that the latest Apple Operating system is designed on the Linux operating system.
Apple do a great job on marketing but hardware wise, there is little to no difference these days.
I also had an Ipod installed in my car but I am not sorry I went to a computer as it gives so many more features. Many many more!

• GPS NAVIGATION *
  
• BLUETOOTH PHONE INTEGRATION *
  
• MEDIA PLAYER
• MEDIA MANAGER
• AM/FM RADIO *
• AUDIO MIXER
• WEB BROWSER*
• FREE WEATHER PLUGIN *
• REAR CAMERA*
• DVD PLAYER*
• OBD-II: ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS*
• MP3 PLAYER SUPPORT
• MULTIPLE-SCREENS*
• USB DEVICES
• AND MORE.

It can be voice activated, in that, people have it to the standard where the computer switches from Sat Navigation to Video etc from a voice command. It will also change radio stations, call friend and clients via a Mobile Phone and much more.
It won't be long before you will be able to detect Police radar coming up.
You can already be alerted about Red Light Camera's, Speed camera's all around the country from a list which is updated regularly.
It will show you the weather, wher eyou are and where you are going and give access to the internet from where ever you are where there is coverage.
I personally cannot see how you can compare a Car Computer with an Ipod.

Originally Posted by Peppercorn

This is a view looking up in the Glove Box. The computer is housed in that BlackBox.
The 3 pronged bracket is already in the car all I had to do was bend it a little and it does the job perfectly.




This is a view looking up at the back of the glove box to show where I had to cut out
the piece to fit in the Computer.
But when sitting in any seat and looking into the glove box you don't see any of this.
It just looks normal!




This is the Touchscreen with Centrafuse showing.


Another look at the Touchscreen


Looking straight into the Glove Box

Nice job. I am just looking into a carputer at the moment and the same as you I am looking for a place to house it out of site. I was looking under the front passenger seat where the CD changer resides. I never even thought of looking undet the glove box. Nice find I have thought about up under the sun visor and invert the screen. That way it is out of site when not in use and then in perfect site when in use for mapping etc. It would mean a bit of hacking around at the maps holder behind the sun visor but it may work well???
Can I ask :-
How do you power the netbook and does it turn off when you turn off the engine?
What is the exteral monitor you are using?
How is it affixed to the pencil tray?
How on earth did you get the radio to work with centrafuse?
Do you run GPS mapping software, if so which one?
Why the wifi router/modem? ... is it for connecting to a home network or so you can run the iphone "remote" app for connecting and playing music from itunes on your netbook?
Did you ever try to fit the external monitor into the radio bay? (it looks like it may fit with a little "nip n tuck")
How do you get the sound to come through the 6 speakers?
Do you loose the functionality of the steering wheel volume control (if you have it fitted)

Again nice work. One of the best I've seen.

Stewie.

Originally Posted by Stewie

Nice job. I am just looking into a carputer at the moment and the same as you I am looking for a place to house it out of site. I was looking under the front passenger seat where the CD changer resides. I never even thought of looking undet the glove box. Nice find I have thought about up under the sun visor and invert the screen. That way it is out of site when not in use and then in perfect site when in use for mapping etc. It would mean a bit of hacking around at the maps holder behind the sun visor but it may work well???
Can I ask :-
How do you power the netbook and does it turn off when you turn off the engine?
What is the exteral monitor you are using?
How is it affixed to the pencil tray?
How on earth did you get the radio to work with centrafuse?
Do you run GPS mapping software, if so which one?
Why the wifi router/modem? ... is it for connecting to a home network or so you can run the iphone "remote" app for connecting and playing music from itunes on your netbook?
Did you ever try to fit the external monitor into the radio bay? (it looks like it may fit with a little "nip n tuck")
How do you get the sound to come through the 6 speakers?
Do you loose the functionality of the steering wheel volume control (if you have it fitted)

Again nice work. One of the best I've seen.

Stewie.

G'Day Stewie

Thanks!

1. I power the computer with a little unit I bought off ebay. It's called an M2-ATX . Here is a photo
This is a 160 watt one, but I think I put in a 200 watt. It is really simple, you hook up a few wires from the battery, and this unit powers on 5-10 secs after the motor starts and turns the computer off 10 secs after the motor has stopped. Do a search on Google, there is plenty of things they can do. The computer needs different voltage going to it and also power going to it while it is off which this baby supplies.

2. The little touchscreen is a Lilliput. They are expensive for what they are, but they do the job and you can't just put a big LCD screen in there can you? I was going to do just that, but it just wasn't practical. I have just screwed the screen through the little rubber mat, through into the steel plate that sits under the top of the dash. It looks OK and it has held up to everything we have thrown at it at this stage.

3.The radio!!?? Yea, that WAS fun. I have to admit I bought the unit andI had 3 attempts until I finally got it working over a 6 month period. I bought the HQCT unit from Europe which is a usb. Thanks to someone on ths forum who pointed out to me that I was using the aerial from an old Mobile Phone installation instead of the radio antenna. Once I got that right, it just started to work and I've had no hassles with it since. What unit do you have??

4. Centrafuse uses Destinator as a plug in. That is the mapping software. I also have Oziexplorer which I use when I go offroad. Oziexporer is only available in the Windows shell, so I have to jump out of Centrafuse to use it but that it's no hassle.
The only problem I have and a lot of people have experienced the same, is that Centrafuse cannot find the port for the Satnav on startup sometimes, a bit too often actually. So I installed a little prog in windows called Xports which reserves the satnav port at all times, and provides a "virtual port". In Centrafuse Settings you choose this "Virtual Port" and that problem is resolved.

5. The wifi is there for uploading and downloading from the home network and hooking up to free wifi hotspots when necessary. Some guys have accounts with Telstra and can access the 'Net" at all times, but I don't need that. When I start my car up the Weather forecast updates through my network as I back out the driveway. Just nice to have.

6. Yes I was going to buy a spare centre dash from the wreckers and do some cutting, but in the end it was just easier to do it this way. I am getting a bit old to be getting dash's out and back in again.

7. I have the output of the computer jack going into a long stereo wire that goes into a 1000watt amp that sits under the drivers seat. The amp has 4 stereo outs which go to the 4 speakers I use. Two in the very back and 2 in the front doors. I don't use the 2 in the pillar. and I don't have any volume control on my steering wheel, but I assume it wouldn't be hard to incorporate that on the input side of the wiring to the amp. I control the volume from the toouchscreen, it is very easy! I don't even have to look.
The computer has been great in many areas but the best has been watching or in the drivers case listening to shows like "Fawlty Towers". Billy Connolly, Yes Minister, the Marx Bros, and a few "live" Concerts of the Rolling Stones, McCartney, etc.
For the driver, some shows are funny enough just listening to the dialogue while the passengers can watch the video as well. It's been great on some trips.

The actual computer is an Intel Atom Dual Processor on a micro board. The whole thing is about the size of a small book. I made a small box for it and mounted The power supply on the side. The hard drive is a solid state drive about the size of a small bar of chocolate. It's very thin and has no moving parts.
I can't see how a Laptop hard drive would survive the rigours of offroad 4 wheel driving for very long.
Anyway, I hope that helps and answrs your questions
Cheers, happy trip

Originally Posted by Peppercorn

G'Day Stewie

Thanks!

1. I power the computer with a little unit I bought off ebay. It's called an M2-ATX . Here is a photo
This is a 160 watt one, but I think I put in a 200 watt. It is really simple, you hook up a few wires from the battery, and this unit powers on 5-10 secs after the motor starts and turns the computer off 10 secs after the motor has stopped. Do a search on Google, there is plenty of things they can do. The computer needs different voltage going to it and also power going to it while it is off which this baby supplies.

2. The little touchscreen is a Lilliput. They are expensive for what they are, but they do the job and you can't just put a big LCD screen in there can you? I was going to do just that, but it just wasn't practical. I have just screwed the screen through the little rubber mat, through into the steel plate that sits under the top of the dash. It looks OK and it has held up to everything we have thrown at it at this stage.

3.The radio!!?? Yea, that WAS fun. I have to admit I bought the unit andI had 3 attempts until I finally got it working over a 6 month period. I bought the HQCT unit from Europe which is a usb. Thanks to someone on ths forum who pointed out to me that I was using the aerial from an old Mobile Phone installation instead of the radio antenna. Once I got that right, it just started to work and I've had no hassles with it since. What unit do you have??

4. Centrafuse uses Destinator as a plug in. That is the mapping software. I also have Oziexplorer which I use when I go offroad. Oziexporer is only available in the Windows shell, so I have to jump out of Centrafuse to use it but that it's no hassle.
The only problem I have and a lot of people have experienced the same, is that Centrafuse cannot find the port for the Satnav on startup sometimes, a bit too often actually. So I installed a little prog in windows called Xports which reserves the satnav port at all times, and provides a "virtual port". In Centrafuse Settings you choose this "Virtual Port" and that problem is resolved.

5. The wifi is there for uploading and downloading from the home network and hooking up to free wifi hotspots when necessary. Some guys have accounts with Telstra and can access the 'Net" at all times, but I don't need that. When I start my car up the Weather forecast updates through my network as I back out the driveway. Just nice to have.

6. Yes I was going to buy a spare centre dash from the wreckers and do some cutting, but in the end it was just easier to do it this way. I am getting a bit old to be getting dash's out and back in again.

7. I have the output of the computer jack going into a long stereo wire that goes into a 1000watt amp that sits under the drivers seat. The amp has 4 stereo outs which go to the 4 speakers I use. Two in the very back and 2 in the front doors. I don't use the 2 in the pillar. and I don't have any volume control on my steering wheel, but I assume it wouldn't be hard to incorporate that on the input side of the wiring to the amp. I control the volume from the toouchscreen, it is very easy! I don't even have to look.
The computer has been great in many areas but the best has been watching or in the drivers case listening to shows like "Fawlty Towers". Billy Connolly, Yes Minister, the Marx Bros, and a few "live" Concerts of the Rolling Stones, McCartney, etc.
For the driver, some shows are funny enough just listening to the dialogue while the passengers can watch the video as well. It's been great on some trips.

The actual computer is an Intel Atom Dual Processor on a micro board. The whole thing is about the size of a small book. I made a small box for it and mounted The power supply on the side. The hard drive is a solid state drive about the size of a small bar of chocolate. It's very thin and has no moving parts.
I can't see how a Laptop hard drive would survive the rigours of offroad 4 wheel driving for very long.
Anyway, I hope that helps and answrs your questions
Cheers, happy trip

Peppercorn,

Thanks for the rapid response. As you can tell I'm up late also still trying to work out which way to go with my carputer. Am toying with netbook (or old laptop for now as prototype) or one of these DuelExtreme things that everyone is raving about.

Sounds like you've done lots of research and lots of "tinkering" with your system.

I like the screen and was wondering how it was attached so thanks for clearing that one up for me. Nice job!

The unit I have, well a friend has is a carputer from the states and we are trying to sort out the radio on it. I'm about to rebuil it for him to factory settings as its playing up a wee bit. Centrafuse looks awsome but needs a lot of knowledge to get working OK.

Yes, we have the same issue with the gps. Always having to go into Ozi and find the comm port. I'll give Xports a whirl and see how that goes.

My friend has hacked his dash and it looks great. the monitor fits real nice in the space where the radio used to fit. Great job he did of that. i was impressed.

Do you recall approx how much the unit cost all up?

Thanks again for the rapid response.

off to sleep now as my eyes are going square .... again.

Cheers. Stewie.

Laptop hard drives and hardware are pretty robust. On my D1 with no airbags, where the passenger grab rail is above the glovebox, I removed that and put a flip out shelf. I put my lappy on the shelf and just use a quick clamp to hold it there. I have a 12v universal power supply, and use a usb gps for my mapping.

It is not a permanent solution by any means, just for when you are on a trip. You can't go into shops and leave a lappy in full view on the dash haha, cover it with jumper or something is almost just as abvious.

However, the lappy has survived my 6000km simpson trip, which of course involved a few thousand k's of very rough and corrugated roads. I also take it every time I go 4WD'ing. It sits up there and doesn't move an inch.

Will try to get a photo of it up soon.

I have thought about a more permenant solution, but I would like at least a 10" and preferably a 15" screen for mapping. Little screens are fine to tell you where you are, but planning a route is pretty hard. Best to have GPS for location, and good paper maps to plan a route.

Originally Posted by zuno555

Laptop hard drives and hardware are pretty robust. On my D1 with no airbags, where the passenger grab rail is above the glovebox, I removed that and put a flip out shelf. I put my lappy on the shelf and just use a quick clamp to hold it there. I have a 12v universal power supply, and use a usb gps for my mapping.

It is not a permanent solution by any means, just for when you are on a trip. You can't go into shops and leave a lappy in full view on the dash haha, cover it with jumper or something is almost just as abvious.

However, the lappy has survived my 6000km simpson trip, which of course involved a few thousand k's of very rough and corrugated roads. I also take it every time I go 4WD'ing. It sits up there and doesn't move an inch.

Will try to get a photo of it up soon.

I have thought about a more permenant solution, but I would like at least a 10" and preferably a 15" screen for mapping. Little screens are fine to tell you where you are, but planning a route is pretty hard. Best to have GPS for location, and good paper maps to plan a route.

Zanon555, yes I agree, a laptop / netbook would be much easier for planning trips etc and also you can take the unit out and use it as a PC for email etc if required.

I'm toying with either the Laptop / netbook system with external dashboard mounted monitor or one of these Duel Extreme systems that heaps of subscribers have and seemt to like.

Each have their Pro's and Con's so I'm still deciding.

I need something pretty quick as I have a 4wd trip planned for the end of this month and would like to have something to take with me for that trip as an experiment to see how it all works.

I'll keep plugging away n the forum and maybe I'll have an insite into which way to go. thanks for the reply.

Couple more pics in by build thread

Camo Discovery 1 Buildup



Cheers

having never thought about fitting a computer tot eh car - I just take the lap top if it's needed.

Is it possible to interface with a mappable ECU that way you can see whats going on with the engine?