After seeing one of the guys at works CarPC, I decided that I want one of these for myself.
This is going to be a slow progress as I dont have an abundance of cash to throw at it. Im hopefully going to document as much of it here as I can (pending any forum crashes, etc) so if anyone else fancies a go, they can learn from my mistakes.
The intended setup will be as follows.
Car[/b]
1994 Toyota Soarer.
PC[/b]
Dell Inspiron D505, with a broken screen.
Intel Pentium M 1.7Ghz
512Mb Ram (to be upgraded
60GB Seagate Momentus HDD
Wifi
Bluetooth
Addons[/b]
USB Hub
GPS Puck
TV Tuner
DAB Radio Tuner
OBDII Sender
Software[/b]
Windows XP
Centrafuse
Igo 8 for PC
Screen[/b]
Lilliput 629 7" Touchscreen
Modifications[/b]
Power switch to be routed through the modem jack to allow a remote power button.
Integrate Lilliput screen into car dashboard.
Build one of these Laptop auto power on module (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/user-innovations/75071-laptop-auto-power-turn-module.html)
Fool laptop into thinking there is a UPS connected by adding 5v to Pin 8 of the RS232 to allow auto shutdown. As per this post (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/383433-post21.html)
Remove/relocate headunit.
Wire it all in.
Fibreglass a mount for the subwoofer.
Wire in car charger for laptop.
Attempt to integrate Renault Laguna stereo cover to Soarer dash.
Part one.
Modified laptops power button to allow a remote power switch.
(http://www.checkyourbadself.co.uk/carpc/DSCF1439.JPG)
(http://www.checkyourbadself.co.uk/carpc/DSCF1440.JPG)
(http://www.checkyourbadself.co.uk/carpc/DSCF1441.JPG)
Laptop looks stock from the outside, but plug in an RJ11 with a switch on the end and you can turn the laptop off and on remotely. This wont be used very much, only if the Laptop crashes. Planning on using an illuminated anti vandal switch hidden in the ashtray.
thats quite clever.. using the Wake on Ring feature in the bios.
Why not just chuck an Xbox in the car instead?
Not as much control as with a PC. Xbox wont respond to touchscreens, cant do GPS, and nor can it output from the OBD.
Its not using the wake on ring, as there seems to be a lot of circuitry associated in doing that. this is literally just soldering the two poles from the power switch and connecting them to the modem port. Bridge the wires in the port and its like the power button is pressed.
I wouldnt mind doing one of these, but get a different dash from a beemer from a scrappy and some how intergrate the screen into the dash.
good topic... glad to see youre going to post it all up.... Ive thought about it a lot myself :-o
Quote from: soopahflyNot as much control as with a PC. Xbox wont respond to touchscreens, cant do GPS, and nor can it output from the OBD.
Its not using the wake on ring, as there seems to be a lot of circuitry associated in doing that. this is literally just soldering the two poles from the power switch and connecting them to the modem port. Bridge the wires in the port and its like the power button is pressed.
just get a nokia 5800 then
That has touchscreen & can be rigged to get Garmin Sat Nav working on it - got it on my n96, but that dont have touchscreen ;o)
Still no comparison.
Got a WM6.5 Mobile at the moment with TomTom, but the screen is too small.
keep it up!
I looked into it a while back, but decided to go for an all in one tv/dvd/mp3/4/etc double din player
And always have my laptop with me if I need to use the internet.
Sounds awesome. Will be following closeley.
Second part will be starting soon. Im going to collect the car tomorrow.
Right.
Regular house PSU turned up today for the laptop, so I could test the modification I have done.
All working fine.
Used Nlite to build a customised install of XP, and now boots straight into Centrafuse in around 25 seconds from a cold boot.
Not tested from standby/hibernate yet.
Garmin Mobile PC integrated into Centrafuse, with Europe 2010 maps.
Cant test the application, as I cant get my phone to work with GPS2Blue as a Bluetooth GPS.
Major delay to the proceedings is the screen. The current revisions of the Lilliput screen have a native resolution of 800x600, but only accept a signal of 640x480. Any panel bought after 1st of June will not have this problem.
The car has now been collected, but the carpc fund took a dip today as I needed to shell out for 4 tyres, and tracking next week. Car is due an MOT and TAX next month too.
How do you get 2010 maps? surely they cant tell what roads will be around in 2010?
Quote from: mr_rollHow do you get 2010 maps? surely they cant tell what roads will be around in 2010?
How long does it take to build a road? And then think if one can be built between now and 2010.
Quote from: SamQuote from: mr_rollHow do you get 2010 maps? surely they cant tell what roads will be around in 2010?
How long does it take to build a road? And then think if one can be built between now and 2010.
I think the question is how long did it take you to read this thread? Im sure a few roads have been built since the last post and yours :P
Project is currently on hold, as I have run out of cash, and the car needs some general TLC.
Quote from: soopahflyProject is currently on hold, as I have run out of cash, and the car needs some general TLC.
Perhaps the use of one of these will save you some money? ^_^
Only kidding :P
Bit excessive when all it needs is a service, discs, pads and some bushes.