Has anyone installed a Carputer (In-Car Computer, Not a Laptop) in their Ram?

I am working on installing a computer in the center console with a touchscreen display where the stereo now resides. I will have GPS, MP3, DVD, TV, and FM all running off the PC.

I was wondering because I am having a blast doing the fab and install, but there is little knowledge on this ever being done to a ram. I have run into a few snags and some of the work is way too time consuming (like fabing a custom bezzel for the touchscreen). I found two hits on the internet, one was an excellent install, but the other was not so good.

Any info would be very helpful.

P.S. If you are interested, www.mp3car.com has more info in carputers.

 

Sounds like a great topic for you to do a write up on with some good pictures for others that may be interested.

 

I am currently shooting photos of each step. I like the idea of doing a write-up. I am about 5 days from being complete (I am somewhat at the mercy of UPS for some of the parts like the touchscreen and the TV/FM card).

 

I was interested in this also. I posted on the mp3car forum and didn't get any helpful response on my questions. I asked if there was a way to put EGT, boost and fuel pressure gauge and monitor on the pc. It would be pretty neat to monitor and record it on a pc and have mp3, etc.

Nick

 

im also in the works of getting ready to do this all i need is my touchscreen, but before i start it i want to get my gauges also so i can mold them in also. what type of card are you using for the tv reception. and are you going to have a reg. fm radio through the comp. im looking at two different softwares, one is called mediaengine and the other is frodoplayer. i think im going to go with the frodoplayer it seems more software friendly.

 

nirion,
I've thought of that too. There is a way. If the companies that manufacture performance boxes can do it, it can be done. It may take a bunch of programming to take the sensor information and relay it to the computer and have the computer provide a graphical display of what it is doing. Way beyond my abilities. I would also seek this knowledge from others.

Moneytlks01,
Frodoplayer... That is what I've loaded. The TV/FM card was purchased on Ebay for $35 including shipping. I should have this on this Friday.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...gory=3761&rd=1
Here is one similar.

Here is the same touch screen that I bought. Paid $185 including shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...Name=WDVW&rd=1

 

I would think someone on that mp3car.com would know some of that, because those guys have some really nice installs and a lot of knowledge. Keep us updated on your install.

 

Call west coast customs. I saw a pimp my ride not too long ago that they installed a computer in the dash that did gps, dvd, email, web access, etc. Maybe if they're not too busy rapping and doing mtv shows they can give you a quick answer...

 

Lightman, Never watch that garbage...

Well, I got my Carputer working, but the fuse blew on the screen so I am out of commission until I can find a new fuse. It is soldered to the board inside the monitor case. It was working fine then... fizzle.
So far I have to finish the bezel, add the switches, and do a little software configuring and I'm done. The install was sweet, and it ran awesome before the fizzle. No skipping, a little heat issue (fixed with an additional fan), and awesome integration of the Frodoplayer with the computer. Another small problem was Frodoplayer does not support my TV/FM card, so I have to use the external software. Next time I will purchase a "Radiator" supported card. Oh, and the touch-screen is a must. I'll send photos this weekend.

moneytlks01, how is your install coming?

 

t&t,
well that kinda sucks because i bought the same card you pointed me to from ebay. i was gonna start my install last weekend but my screen showed up broke, so i had to send it back. plus i need to get a couple of more cables and things. where did you install the board and components? i think im going to go xm, it would be the cheapest. before i install i still have to get the gps, xm, and a couple of other things. i will be flush mounting a slot load laptop dvd drive in center bezel where the radio would be also. so will you be still running a radio? hope to see some pics of the install during the stages.
james

 

Sorry....
Frodo will have integration with "all other" tv/fm cards soon he says...
the board, cards, hard drive, dvd drive, are all in the center console. Power supply is under the drivers seat, the inverter is under the back seat, and the stereo amp is behind the back seat.
I will be eliminating the stereo, and will all be running off the computer. I contemplated keeping a stereo, but there just wasn't enough room in the dash to do what I wanted.

 

i dont have a bulky p/s i have a thing called a m1-atx its 90w and should do everything you want to do. what type of screen did you buy? how did you get power to the screen? they say the screens need a regulated source of power, so using a molex conn. you can get a clean reg power source from the p/sk, that may be your problem.

 

See above on link to screen.
My screen plugs into cigarette socket. Maybe that is why the fuse blew. I am a cheap bum and went the inverter way with a home PC (already had all components), but am thinking about running the screen power off the power supply using one of the hard-drive type power plugs. Not sure if it will work, but it is regulated power.

 

yes, it will work thats what im doing. the m1-atx you can get on ebay for 69.00 +s&h. which processor are you running? and i didnt see a link.

nevermind i see it

 

I am running an old AMD K6 900mhz. It is fast enough. The board is an ATX by MSI. I've had it for about 5 years or more, still works great.

Here is the link for the screen. I bought mine for $151+S&H or $185 total.
Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...e=WDVW&rd=1

Do you have the link to the M1-ATX?

Also, a crank "tank circuit" would be nice, but right now It isn't in the plans, so I have to hibernate the computer if the truck is not running and I crank the starter...