Carputer install

[DoughtCom]

I finally (after 4-5 years of wanting one) got a "carputer" installed on the evo.

http://www.thedoughtcom.com/images/carputer.jpg

I'm in the middle of writing my own data logging software and want to style it after the Skyline interface, where it has TPS, speed, RPM, etc in virtual gauges. Later on I'll add music, video and GPS capabilities but for now I'm just happy the install went well.

Peace
-Shawn

[Matt D.]

Awesome! This is the first carputer I've seen in an Evo. I want to see pictures of the computer and install.

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

Nice! These things are awesome!

[Kracka]

Thats sweet, glad to see this idea actually coming to life!

[crazy_skier]

dude... that thing is awesome!!!! do youi have a full keyboard and mouse so that you can tune and such if you have the evo program tephra at any time????? I believe its tephra if I remember right..... and either way I think its cool regardless.... what are you doing to keep cd/dvd drives from vibrating and wrecking disks if anything???

[dedlewamp]

That's awesome. Where'd you learn to program the data logging software?

[polishmafia]

good to see you around, shawn. glad you got this working!

[turbotalon1g]

badass, that is sweet i always wanted to do one too but it wont happen

[DoughtCom]

Hey guys thanks for the great comments. The whole thing is pretty simple, I might change the power supply to a DC-DC but for now I'm using a lowcost/lowpower inverter and it works perfectly!

At any rate here's the hardware...

Laptop: HP nc6230 from a friend for $200
Inverter: Xantrex From bestbuy $50 http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Techno...7538858&sr=1-6
TouchScreen: Lilliput 7" $190 Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/Lilliput-7-EBY70...QQcmdZViewItem
Keyboard: New Apple Keyboard $70 Frys
250GB Laptop Drive with Ext Enclosure: $130 Frys

The install was pretty straight forward. I could have gotten an Orbital faceplate that would convert my stereo to a double din, but I wanted the Grouppe-S for my prosport gauges and wanted to keep the stock deck. I decided to take out the stock clock on the dash and figure out how to mount the monitor. Fortunately the stock hardware worked perfectly I just needed a longer screw (pics soon).

To fix it to the correct angle I used rubber vacuum hose (yeah it sounds ghetto but it actually works quite well) and I'll have pics to show what I mean. I ran the cables down the center console to the laptop which is mounted via velcro under the passenger seat so I can take it out when I want. I then mounted my GPS receiver (USB) inside the center brake light and ran the USB cable under the rear seats to the laptop. The laptop is always plugged into the ODBII port for scanning and works quite well.

Oh also for remote power switch, I had to take the laptop apart and figure out the wiring for the power button, was harder than it sounds. But I spliced into that and added an additional jack to the laptop that plugs into the power switch in my ashtray (pics). This way I can manually start up the PC when I want, if I turn my car off and it's on battery for 10 minutes it auto hibernates.

The OS I'm running is TinyXP, bootup is almost instant especially when out of hibernation. MS Street Trips 2008 is installed, Trillian, Winamp, EcuFlash, EvoScan and my scanning software I've started. I'm starting to copy over my music but right now I *only* have 4000 songs on there, I have about another 200GB to put on it.

Internet is via my HTC Tilt (bluetooth) and it's fast enough here in Dallas for me to listen to internet radio at 128bitrates, for instance I can listen to 89.3 the current while driving to work. I've even tried youtube (obviously while not driving) and it's fast enough to consider it enjoyable.

Total install time (with laptop switch) was probably about 8 hours, not too bad I think.

[DoughtCom]

A few more notes with the added pics. The keyboard fits PERFECTLY in the little bay on the DS door, so you can just put it in there when not using it. The external hard drive is a great way to bring new music to your car. Just put it in your pocket or whatever copy the stuff to it and plug it in, no more burning CD's.

Here's some pics.

[Kracka]

Thats really cool, I hope I get the chance to check this out in person next time you drive up from TX.

$MD for real!

[Matt D.]

Very nice, I never thought of using a laptop for a carputer. Where did you put the laptop and hard drive?

[User Name]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

Very nice, I never thought of using a laptop for a carputer. Where did you put the laptop and hard drive?

x2


Nerd alert.

[A//// Guy]

Sweet!

Are you worried about the monitor being stolen?

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

That's fucking sweet. I wanna hook one of these up someday.

[Onefast99gsx]

Hey, good job! Can you please post some pics of where you put the laptop?

I'm an IT guy at work and we got all kinds of old PIII laptops that would be perfect for this.

[scheides]

What keyboard did you use? One with backlit keys would be ideal, I think

Looks pretty clean man, I'm impressed! We have about 10 of those liliput screens hanging around my office, I should nab one and do something like this. Does tinyXP support RDC? Let's remote tune that bad boy!

[User Name]

Originally Posted by scheides

Looks pretty clean man, I'm impressed! We have about 10 of those liliput screens hanging around my office, I should nab one and do something like this. Does tinyXP support RDC? Let's remote tune that bad boy!

Now that is a great idea!

[DoughtCom]

I used the brand new Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, it works REALLY well and fits perfectly in the door out of sight when I'm not using it.

I'll take some pics of the laptop tonight. It's just basically sitting there under the seat with velcro on the bottom, so that the velcro sticks to the stock carpet. I drive VERY fast and it doesn't move, sticks very well! For 2 dollars I think I'm happy for the mounting. One thing to note for people that eat/drink in their car a lot or have messy significant others it might get wet down there (that's what she said) but I don't think it'll be a big issue.

Yeah the PC uses RDC yo, lets tune it up! Just let me know when you wanna do it, I'm tinting the windows tonight.

Peace!
-Shawn