SleepyMSP's Carputer/Audio build

[willmeyer]

willmeyer I am curious how you mounted the screen as its the hardest part for me at this point

BTW I just took the screen apart and used the outer inch or so of the front frame, with the bezel, then mounted that to the inside of the double-din opening I had. That way I didn't have to fab the edges of the bezel, which is the hardest part always.

 

[SleepyMSP]

I thought about doing that but it just wasn't working out with my setup so I fabbed up a few tabs to hold mine in place and use the upper and lower plates to keep the screen from falling back...also holds my usb ports in place

 

[willmeyer]

coolio

 

[SleepyMSP]

update:

first boot up didn't go so well, win XP didn't like my temp HD with my non-UDMA ribbon cable so off to the store today to find a 40 pin UDMA. Most places around here probably will through a 39 pin at me and say its the same thing...*sigh*

can't wait for the SSD to come in

 

[SleepyMSP]

after many attempts and a new temp HD (?!) I finally have a working setup, of course in the process I fried my laptop PS that I was using to convert the AC to DC (oops...)

booted pics tonight

 

[Amdeus]

For the cost in this why not just buy one pre made? Just wondering if you really saved anything or just doing it for fun?

 

[SleepyMSP]

actually I did save money because I was able to cannibalize old systems and also it cost around ~400 for a pre-built that does not come with the monitor and does not fit in a double din enclosure after you add the monitor your up another 300 and you still don't have the HD or other peripherals around it.

I think my total cost spending is actually under 500 at this point as raw aluminum is dirt cheap + the HD, GPS, cables were reused and other items were "borrowed" making it that I only paid for the mobo, ps and monitor

but in the end its also for fun, thats more what a carputer is about over functionality with a pre-built nav unit

 

[SleepyMSP]

I guess I should update this...I have been set back a bit. thanks to my retarded fooling around I have cracked the touchscreen and now the touch sensor is broken...

gonna have to replace the touchscreen sensor....at least they make replacement panels and I'm not out 300

 

[special--k]

dam... the screen was sensitive? can you RMA the screen?

 

[CantCMe]

subbin' for a great-lookin' project!!

 

[Wagonbacker9]

subin as well... a double din computer... honestly a couple years ago I never woulda believed it was possible.

 

[SleepyMSP]

ok guys, now I need a little help from the audio gurus of the community. I want to start looking at the speakers for the car but really am at a loss of where to start looking. For the subs I've decided on the JL audio but the speakers I'm not sure.

I listen to a lot of metal, hard rock, old school metal, etc...could someone recommend me a few starting points to look for in terms of brands, models, design, etc...

 

[CantCMe]

I have MB Quarts Reference component speakers in my car and I love 'em.

 

[SleepyMSP]

Time for a little update:

for the last few weeks I have been finalizing all the software installs and media transfers onto the carputer. I have to revise the design of the case a little as there is a ventilation issue that needs to be addressed....right now there is none.....

I have also stumbled onto this. These are interface kits for digital and analog devices to communicate through a USB port to control things like temperature, servos, etc....

I'm thinking there is going to be a phase three of this project now and it will involve the automation of the car through RFID tags

 

[special--k]

Time for a little update:

for the last few weeks I have been finalizing all the software installs and media transfers onto the carputer. I have to revise the design of the case a little as there is a ventilation issue that needs to be addressed....right now there is none.....

I have also stumbled onto this. These are interface kits for digital and analog devices to communicate through a USB port to control things like temperature, servos, etc....

I'm thinking there is going to be a phase three of this project now and it will involve the automation of the car through RFID tags

does your MB have a PCI104 port?

 

[SleepyMSP]

the board contains a single PCI bus which is occupied by the sound card as I felt the on board sound was in sufficient

 

[SleepyMSP]

finally added a 40mm exhaust fan to the carputer to deal with the heat issue and now I have the new touchscreen sensor in. Its finally ready for final assembly.

I promise to get some real pics up soon...really need some more in here.

Also if anyone has an extra center console trim piece that they want to part with I am looking for a spare just in case

 

[SleepyMSP]

added pics to the first post

 

[special--k]

Update us!! whats going on?

 

[SleepyMSP]

project has stalled, I got a replacement screen for the touchscreen but the site had that labels all wrong and I got the wrong one. So I'm waiting on the new panel to come in before continuing on the project. Problem is it takes forever to get the panels shipped.

Right now the carputer is in about 10 pieces waiting to be re-assembled with the new panel