Auto Engine Start without A PC

Has anyone ever thought of this before once i get my carputer working in the middle of the winter leaving the computer in hibernate seems like a bad idea.

The Problem: My van at work is parked away from the building i work in. so my auto start does not reach (the remote signal) in the middle of the winter id like my auto start to automatically warm up my van monday thru friday at 9pm for when i get out at 930

SemiSolution: I thought why not have my carpc do this job it would be not all that hard maybe with phidgits i dunno BUT with real cold temps i dont wanna damage the computer at low temps for ex The HD

So: can this be accomplished without a pc any ideas (aside from that machine peewee herman used to have )

Nice. Someone with a van. I'm more of a Ford van man myself, but hey - it's a van!

I'm going to take the lazy way out and install a long-range car starter with an accessory trunk popper. Hook the popper up to a relay to start the 'puter.

Where are you located? I've had my 'puter in MN for several years and the thing still works fine. Granted, I usually let the car warm up for 1-2 minutes before turning on the computer...

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Originally Posted by PatO

Where are you located?

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NewYork

any suggestions?

I have a Viper Remote Start Alarm in my truck. It is made for long range and it works 1/4 mile away. Just get that and save yourself some time/money in the long run. Cost me $500 installed.

range isnt the problem its timing

I want it to go on automatically each night around 9 or so

how might I accomplish this ?

Use an ATX DC-DC ps and have the computer turn on automatically just before 9pm. (many bioses have a timed startup option)

Then have the computer trigger startup the same as your car starter:

Car alarms send a 12v signal through the same line your key triggers when it's in the start position. So a computer could do that easy enough.

The tricky bit is in determing when the car is started so the starter relay can be shut off. I don't understand the theory behind how auto starters figure it out (and I have a dead starter to prove it) so i guess I can't help you there...

have your computer momentarily comlete a realy circuit connected to the button on your (spare) remote for your remote starter . Not exactly sure how to do this, but people have been operating relays with there computer for a while now to power there windows and ac systems, so I figure this can be done as well. Just a thought on where to start... :shiver:

It is depend on the alarm and remote starter system. If the 2 are separate units (alarm by itself and add on remote starter), the remote starter system will have a (-) triggle input from the alarm module. If the 2 are integrated in 1 unit, I don't know.
When the computer auto start by time, wire a relay constant to pulse (in hardware development forum) circuit to triggle the remote starter. The circuit in show in the forum is for (+) pulse, but you can change it to (-) pulse.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PatO

Use an ATX DC-DC ps and have the computer turn on automatically just before 9pm. (many bioses have a timed startup option)

Then have the computer trigger startup the same as your car starter:

Car alarms send a 12v signal through the same line your key triggers when it's in the start position. So a computer could do that easy enough.

The tricky bit is in determing when the car is started so the starter relay can be shut off. I don't understand the theory behind how auto starters figure it out (and I have a dead starter to prove it) so i guess I can't help you there...

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the car starter doesnt have a constant flow of electricity to it, only when you turn the key the whole way over does the starter get juice.