Thread: CARPC Positioning / location - Where to put it?

Originally Posted by Pabs

Hi All

I am having a dilema. I need to get a case for my TC10000, carnetix PSU and 3.5" harddrive, and it needs to be small.

I am unsure of where to locate the PC. I have a few options:

In glovebox
Under Passenger front seat
In dash (somewhere, poss. behind 7inch screen in DIN space)

Some questions tho:
Is the glovebox likely to be too enclosed for a TC1000 temperature-wise? Will it get too hot in there? I dont want to cut large vents in the glovebox etc.

If I put it under the seat, am i likely to get problems with cable lengths (vga mainly) and interference from other car components, such as alternator etc?

I have done many searches, but no great answer has been found. Glovebox would be awesome, as I was hoping to replace the 6xcd changer in there for the PC, to make the PC look like a standard changer and therefore less-likely to get stolen. However, I am worried about temp, cooling etc.

I am likely to be running: USB GPS MOUSE, USB touchscreen and USB Radio. The keyboard etc is PS2 infra-red and so the receiver has to be line of sight of the keyboard, so this would have to be somewhere in dash.

I have the options of building my own case or making a abs-plastic box/metal box into a case if needed.

Any info or pointers would be great. Really not sure what to do.

Cheers all!

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

As mentioned, already done that, but no straight answer.

What the hell is everyone's damn problem. Just answer the damn question if you're gonna waste enough time to tell him to search. jesus. On top of that you obviously didn't read it or you woulda seen wher ehe said i tried many searches.

I would answer, but i don't really know what i'm talking about. I'm just getting mine to work.

Oh and i don't think the length of VGA should be noticeable on a small screen unless you're like playin need for speed or somethin like that.

look at it this way. alot of people like me have put the carputer in the trunk and run all the cables from the rear to the front. there is noise factor. but just get some good cable and you'll be fine.

heatwise, can't really say. my glovebox is nowhere near airtight but I wouldn't trust passive airflow to cool the computer. it also depends on your car. how much room is there for hot air to flow? most gloveboxes i've seen have an open top in the dash. just think if you put a 100W light bulb in the glovebox and lit it, would it start geting hotter and hotter and hotter and hotter?

Well as for cable lengths, they make extensions for almost any cable you can think of, even VGA available at places like Best Buy and circuit city.

The glove box or under the seat make no difference when it comes to interference, as long as everything is grounded good you will be ok with this.

Wish I could be of more help, I'm not sure how the glovebox in a Toyota looks, my personal reccomendation is to put it under the seat.

The glovebox would be the perfect location!

Sorry if I am repeating with the posts, i understand it gets up peoples noses but from my searches i didnt get any decent answers.
Basically, my screen is touchscreen, which means a USB extension. What is the max length a USB can be? 5m/10m? Also, my keyboard etc is IR as mentioned in the post, is there a max length of PS2?

I dont think boot/trunk is a good idea as it means a hell of a lot of cable runs. I have

Power for: AMP, Crossovers
Audio for: AMP
Remote switch for: AMP
Amp out to: Front speakers
Amp out to: Rear Speakers

Then on top of that, USB, VGA, PC Power, PS2, GPS.... it all adds up to crazy numbers, hence my post.

If i could mount it behind my 7inch touchscreen in the double DIN space i would, but i feel that it would be a tight fit and would get hot. Glovebox is a nice idea, but is not totally stealth-like, as thiefs would always look there too. Under the seat sounds good, if I can keep cable runs to a minimum.
Only problem is I am buying a new car soon, and so dont know on accurate space available....yet... If i had electric seats then under seat option is N/A as it would be full already!

I think someone said USB can be 16ft (approx 5m, total length) before requiring a powered repeater. 5m is a long way, though, especially in a Toyota. The cable that came with the Xenarc should do the trick, though.

You may be able to find an extension cable with the same d-connector as the Xenarc without forking over for their longer cable. I'm pretty sure that it's a standard connector, but I don't know what it's called.

Can't tell you the max length on PS2, but I've seen PS2 extensions that are at least 2m.

I'd suggest under the seat. Even when it gets hot in your car, it's relatively cool under the seats.

Check out this thread; mounting mobo in glove compartment