In-dash computer + touch screen

FAC · Post by **FAC** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 2:32 pm

I am thinking about fitting my Lanos with a pc computer and a touchscreen. I want to use it as an mp3 player, video player, and for navigation with gps. I want to mount the computer in the dashboard where the radio is, and put the screen over it. Has anyone here done anything similar?

Since I know absolutely nothing about cars (yet) I have no idea how this will affect the electrical system in the car, would I perhaps be putting to much load on it? I already have a power amp in the trunk hooked up to the battery. Are there any considerations to be made you guys can think of. Any advice is appreciated.

KnightWalace · Post by **KnightWalace** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:54 pm

I saw in a mag that someone Retrofitted a mini-pc (those 2-3 inch cubes),
into a lexus GS300.

You'll probably want grounding wires. possibly a better battery and alternator.

But thats just my guess i'm not a man of car and electronics.. but i sure know me some computers.

Audacity Racing · Post by **Audacity Racing** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:01 pm

see how much a "drivesoft" is. those usually have things like gps, computer functions, phone functions, radar detector functions, and everything else you can imagine on board.

the mini pc would be an ok idea except that the programming would suck a big one. making a touch screen as a custom application is a pain.

there are several after-market pc systems for your car, the limiting factor is money

my two cents

that's a drivesoft
http://www.drivesoft.net

DomWoo · Post by **DomWoo** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:09 pm

drivesoft is alot of moeny.. i looked into it.. its way cheaper to find your self a really reallly small board and a screen and pop it in..

one problem is going ot be power.. you are going to need to find a 12 computer power supply

jorge · Post by **jorge** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:10 am

Using a power inverter

DomWoo · Post by **DomWoo** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:29 am

yes power inverter.. already thought about it.. you would have to make sure it is SST and another problem.. how you going to get the computer to start up with your car?? and shut down with the car.. you can always power it up manualy when you start your car then power it down manually but in my opinion that would suck.. im sure you will find something on the market that will do all this for you automaticly.. i remember seeing it somewhere but didnt have a price on it

KnightWalace · Post by **KnightWalace** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:42 am

You'll probably have to hard kill it. (just killing the power.)

have it set in the bios to automatically restart after power failure.

DomWoo · Post by **DomWoo** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:02 am

you can only do that so many times before it kills the computer

FAC · Post by **FAC** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:16 am

There are power supplies available that startup and shutdown the computer with the car, so that isn't a problem. Giving it power won't be a problem. Mounting it might be a bit of a hazzle, but what I'm most worried about is putting to much load on the electrical system.

DomWoo · Post by **DomWoo** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:59 pm

i dont think a computer will put to much of a load on the system.. try getting a optima yellow top.. that would fix any problem if there was one

daewooluvr · Post by **daewooluvr** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:57 am

Who said the pc had to turn off and on with the car?

Got dual batteries

orangelmo · Post by **orangelmo** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:28 am

if you're really interested in putting a carpc in your woo you should read up in the mp3car.com. that should answer a lot of your questions like feeding power, hooking it up to your electrical system etc.

its really not that hard at all. it all depends on how clean you want the fab work to be.

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz · Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:40 am

My best friend Jeremy recently built a PC into his car.
WiFi connection, 7" LCD touch screen, GPS with full navigation, FM stereo, hard drive for MP3s loaded over the wireless network, and touch screen control for his Sirius and XM satellite radios.

His car is the only one in the world with computer controlled touch screen satellite radio as he reverse engineered the satellite radios and wrote the software for it himself.

He as a 12V ATX regulated power supply and a 2nd battery, which he chose an Optima Yellowtop that is in his trunk.
The PC is a mini PC located in a custom metal case mounted under the passanger seat.

If you want more information from him, go to his web site: http://www.ItsOnSirius.com and contact with his email address at the bottom.

lanos2001 · Post by **lanos2001** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:01 am

i remember like a year ago i was at a car show and this guy with a big boat hoopty called me over and was like "you wanna see my computer?" i'm sitting there thinking maybe he's working his car inside out then i see an old ass macintosh in a wood frame and a huge tower that had a 9 inch floppy drive and a mouse that he had to use on the palm of his hand.

he really thought he was the shit too and i just laughed and walked away.

oh and he didn't do a damn thing to the interior either.

nick

Brian5475E · Post by **Brian5475E** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:11 am

you better vent for that computer. remember computers put off alot of heat. could melt plastic