Gen. 2 carputer?

[MrBigStuff]

I've been perusing past threads about "carputers" in Gen. 1 Solaras and am very interested in putting one together for my Gen. 2. I've got a few ideas to throw around, maybe I can get some feedback on them?

It seems like the best two ways to go about this are:
1) Mini-itx computer in the glove compartment
2) laptop somewhere in the car

I've read the laptop isn't a good idea, and I'm definitely leaning towards the cheaper and more versatile mini-itx idea. I've seen 7" Lilliput screens seem to be the best option too.

I'm not really into hacking away at my center console, so it seems like the best place to put the screen would be under the climate controls, in that fold up compartment directly behind the gear shifter. Anyone have more intuitive ideas? Would the 7" screen fit or would I need smaller? There's a cigarette power adapter right in the back of that compartment, so power would be no problem for the screen!

The mini-itx would go in the glove compartment. Would one even fit...? And then my new dilemma would be, how do I run power to it and hook it to the screen without running wires around the cabin? Any ideas people?

I don't need DVD players and all that fancy stuff and am happy with the normal stereo in the car. This would mostly be to use as a "bootleg" navigation system and maybe for MP3s or something. I don't really need fancy here... I'm probably forgetting some major steps or something, so correct my errors!

Thanks for looking!

[Mole]

nice ideas. try posting in the correct forums.

[Willy7o2]

I've had past attempts on this idea....

I picked up a real small mainboard and built a computer to fit glove compartment w/ no problems.... Running power to it, is....

My 5.4" LCD Screen fits w/ extra room, dunno about 7".... guess it depends on the actual unit size.... (problem is that shifter will b in the way and block the screen.... kinda hard to press touch screen in park)

For power, I used a power converter thingy from radio shack... its kinda big tho....

Another problem to look for is overheating when the air inside the glove compartment don't circulate.... maybe hafta stick it in the trunk or under the seat....

Anyways, Once everything is up, I want to get Verizon Wireless Internet for it.... also looking for a nice&small wireless keyboard.

Hope my info helps...

[Down2TheC]

I'll be in on this thread for a while. Just checking out parts right now but I'm thinking a trunk
unit so I can have a dedicated battery so I don't have to watch the thing startup after an
hour of shopping. Here's a few links that may help for parts/power. Haven't thought
about the screen placement yet so I can't help ya there.

http://www.dashpc.com/
Software for a carputer - Linux based. If you want to do the wire chasing, you could try
to patch into windows, sunroof, etc.

http://www.i-t-w.com/carputer/index.html
Good refs to DC reg that shuts down the PC with time delay and battery charge protection.

http://www.cappuccinopc.com/default.asp
Some nice 12V models that you won't have to invert. Big waste of energy going DC-AC-DC.

More when I have it. Anyone have a line on a good USB or IEEE cam that's small or
detachable for a pretty install? I found a couple but so many are integrated with
the base. I want to just poke the ccd through without the electronics package in the way.

[Parke10]

that dashpc thing looks cool as hell

[cklinh]

For Mac people... I think the Mac Mini would fit nicely under the front passenger seat... (I understand not everyone's a Mac person, keep your bashing to yourself...)

I would LOVE to try to do this in my car... but I have the NAV... and it'd be kinda tacky to have an extra screen there...

Unless... someway, somehow... the NAV screen can be used along with the Mac Mini (touch screen and all)... that would be so sweet...

[MrBigStuff]

Hey, that's not a bad idea at all! I completely forgot about the Mac Mini. Do they make programs for Mac like they do for PCs (I mean the carputer programs)? It's definitely an option..

[Parke10]

i wouldnt mind a mac fer a car,cuz its not doing much so it wont crash er anything(thats not a bash either)

[rohand]

I've seen 7" Lilliput screens seem to be the best option too.

I wouldn't go with the Lilliput. I mean, sure it's cheap; but it's not reliable. I know people who've installed them and they usually mess up withing a year or so. I reccommend a Xenarc touchscreen. It is quite a bit more, but in my opinion it's worth it.

Oh yea, I am currently in the process of getting my carputer project going. It will be done by March hopefully.

[Yanks0114]

http://www.mp3car.com/ is also a great resource

best of luck