Car-puter / GPS DIY Build-up

**werdan** · 27th December 2007, 09:02 PM

I'm running Win2000 at present because the computer only has 192mb memory and XP would probably struggle a bit. They way laptops are going, it would be easy to upgrade pretty cheaply soon. Also, upgrading the laptop shouldn't affect the rest of the setup either.

Here's the laptop mounted on the cargo barrier. It's just held there with some Velcro 'one wrap' (special Velcro that has the felt material on one side and the loops on the other - used for cable wrap) I wanted to be able to remove the laptop quickly if need be.
I had 2 vertical straps as well but I found that the base unit of the FM900 radio held it in place anyway so I just placed some adhesive Velcro felt between them instead, to stop them rubbing. Add to that the rear seat being in place, the thing is not going anywhere.

Here's a shot from the other side. The red circles show where I've added more adhesive Velcro felt to stop it rattling against the cage. The blue circle shows the DC/DC converter also mounted against the cage but below the level of the drawers in the back so it's not going to get knocked.
The Toshibas are great because they have a standard sort of DC connector. Some other laptops I've had from work in the past like Dell have used proprietary plugs which means it was cheaper and easier just to use a 300w inverter and the standard charger.

Finally, here's a pic of the camera mounted above the window washer squirter for the rear door.

**werdan** · 27th December 2007, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by spudboy

That keyboard idea is brilliant!

Thanks. I got the idea after seeing a mate's CD holder. It was a Jim Beam promo giveaway that stuck to the top of the visor and holds 10 discs. I used to have a regular mini-keyboard mounted on the cubbybox but it kept getting knocked and stuffing up Ozi. I'd seen these keyboards at the computer swapmeets for $15 and just put two and two together.

**101RRS** · 27th December 2007, 09:21 PM

I find the on screen keyboard that win XP has in it works pretty well saving the need for a physical keyboard.

Garry

**werdan** · 27th December 2007, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

I find the on screen keyboard that win XP has in it works pretty well saving the need for a physical keyboard.

I have fat fingers.

**jsp** · 27th December 2007, 09:47 PM

I am thinking about how to put a PC into my 94 softdash classic.

I put one in my P38 RR about 2 years ago - nearly 3 and the laptop has just died - pretty good considering I paid $200 for a old laptop thats now about 7 years old.

Hey Ron - where's yours?

**101RRS** · 27th December 2007, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by werdan

I have fat fingers.

Mouse key or stylus on a touchscreen works great

**p38arover** · 28th December 2007, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by jsp

Hey Ron - where's yours?

I told you not to ask....

I'm about to buy a "new" laptop for my T4 and FaultMate MSV systems (don't ask

) so I might use it for the nav system as you have done. I thought I might add the EAS reset tool into it as well. I've got a Toshiba 2510CDS that doesn't work on the internal screen (fine for the in-car app) but it has only 32 Mb of memory.

I need to get the touch screen so I can move on. Money has been tight but I've sold my investment property (at a loss) so I might be able squeeze a few dollars from that.

**HangOver** · 28th December 2007, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by werdan

The silly thing is a laptop is designed to be more forgiving in external environments than a PC is. The 2.5" drives are tougher and the power through the CPU/motherboard is filtered through a battery so you don't get any nasty spikes.

Your right most HDD are more robust than the desktop versions even more so the older the drive/computer.
I'm not sure about the battery acting as a filter though, if the power goes AC, (or DC) input > battery > components how come you can happily remove a battery from a laptop when its running from mains without a flicker?
I dunno I never was any good with electronics, just the parts as a whole, you could be right, I think it's one of those "please explain" moments

Originally Posted by werdan

I also have a wide-angle reversing camera feeding into the screen which is brilliant. I have better rear visibility than my old Commodore sedan. No blind spots in traffic! The only catch I've found is during reverse key-starts. The screen blanks for a second or so which can be very unnerving. Best not to rely on it then.

I like the idea of a reversing camera, it's on my "one day" list

Originally Posted by garrycol

why built your own carputer?
It would seem one of these cheap laptops with a $50 power supply - a $200 7" screen will work just as well as what you are doing, at about the same price but a lot less mucking around.
building.
Garry

Because you can

Seriously though I did think, why bother I was going to go for the DVD/mp3 player and gps navman type setup but it's horses for courses I suppose like the laptop or DIY computer. Both have merits. There's nothing wrong with using a carputer, laptop or GPS unit but the latter is most expensive, the laptop is quick and painless but the carputer can be repaired easily.

If you have a cheap laptop you don’t mind knocking around go for that, if you have a heap of computer parts DIY is quite simple.
I have worked with computers for years and building a 12v pc is a piece of cake really. It'll probably end up costing about the same as the cheapest 300-ish GPS unit+ a $100 mp3 player but the end product will surpass the functionality of the out of the box scenarios. That and a saving of $300 would get me a set of imported airbags

**HangOver** · 28th December 2007, 12:46 AM

Just thought I'd add that I have decided to try and build a roof mounted console to house the UHF so I think what the hell put my computer in there too !
So forget all the stuff I said about making the computer small as possible, now it doesn't matter. I'm glad I thought of some where to put the damn thing

**dobbo** · 28th December 2007, 04:02 AM

A thought for your CD/DVD player. In dash would look the part. Just a matter of extending and running the loom for it. And a thought on the location of the case being an early RRC have you got the airconditioned dashboard or the non airconditioned/glovebox variant? I guess with your location you'd need the A/C so you have no glovebox, why not mount a small case behind the dashboard where it is nice and safe and dry and have a remote power button mounted in the dash. Admittedly both ideas need a bit of unscrewing and/or trimming of the plastic fantastic dash but all will be hidden and well protected from the elements and unfriendly folk in your areas of travel.

I am a tightar5e v8 owner so your ideas appeal to me.

I need pictures though

Thread: Car-puter / GPS DIY Build-up

Thread Tools

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions