CarPC WIP

[h82lose]

Hey interested in this setup. Couple of questions...

1. Do you get the bottom steel mounting plate off of a microATX case? Put parts in trunk, wire, and go ....

2. Does the software only manipulate boost settings and nothing else as far as tuning and what not? Since it isn't more than an acessory on the brain(ecu) of the vehicle... Dunno, help.

P.S. that spring suspension for that drive was classic, gj

P.P.S. plz summarize in laymen's terms

[HotelKilo06]

I am still thinking of doing this project but i had a few questions some of you could answer.

Ive heard about a flash hard drive comming out that wouldnt use a spinning disk like a conventional hard drive, would this be more practical for a car pc?

For internet companies like verison wireless have wireless cards that i guess go off a better signal than trying to locate a wireless router, would these be good in the car, provided you have to pay a monthly fee.
http://b2b.vzw.com/broadband/bbapccard.html

And is there a way to duct in air from the outside to cool the computer without worrying about moisture or anything else that would damage the computer?

[Master X]

Hey guys, sorry for not seeing this sooner. I'm not on 3si much anymore.

lose,

1. yes, i just cut the bottom of a microatx case up for the the mounting points. If you don't do that there will be nowhere for static discharge to go except into the mobo itself effectively frying it.

2. I'm not sure which software you are talking about, but the front end allows me to open either my datalogging software (Handheldhalo) or my emanage software (which I no longer have as I no longer use the emanage). Both of those allowed me to do anything i wanted in regard to tuning.

Kilo, flash memory would be a better way to go, if your roads are really bad. If not, at this point I wouldn't suggest it simply because the size of storage you can get on a conventional drive is 20-30 times the size of one with flash memory for the same price. When I was first making it I thought I'd need to do flash memory as well, but I have been running the carpc for almost 2 years now and the hard drive has never skipped a beat. I've run through 5 mobos though (thank god for neweggs RA). So in otherwords, I wouldn't worry about using a conventional drive. However, if you do plan on doing it, linux, and as far as I know vista, can run on a usb flash drive provided its large enough.

Getting an EVDO card (verizon) is a great way to go. I plan on doing that when I have a better paying job. They have usb versions or you can get the pci to express/pcmcia slot converter cards.

So far even on the hottest days, being that the computer is under the false floor I made, the computer seems to be ok with just circulating air from the cabin. I don't know of a way to get air from outside. Something that crossed my mind a while ago was ducting air from the air vents to the back, but decided it wasnt worth the hassle.

[YaHomieSlash]

Does anyone have any security for their carpc? Like something that protects the monitor from being stolen? Or have any ideas? All my friends have had their stereos stolen atleast once, except me. But I'm sure when someone sees a screen in someones car they want it more. one of the only crime problems we have in my area.

[My92Stealth]

You could fab up a removable plate that you could place up against the screen when you arent in your car, making it look like a flush flat surface.

[Master X]

Or make a bracket for mounting the screen that actually mounts to the same screw holes that the stock deck mounts to. Makes it kinda tough to take. Plus a good alarm system (Viper 791XV) and tinted windows help as well. Best thing to do is not showboat it to everyone and their mother unless for good reason.