Dodge Ram 1500 (Hemi) carpc

**pirate_king00** · 01-05-2005, 11:56 PM

Ok, I am going to rip apart my Dodge Ram 1500 and build a carpc. I am very knowledgable to computer, networks, secuirty, and car audio. I plan on using the following.

Gigabyte GA-8trs350mt (microatx) or

Asus P4P800-MX

Intel P4 2.4 or 2.8

512mb Ram maybe 1 Gig

200gb hard drive

dvd player (no need for a burner in a car)

tv/fm tuner

going with the soundblaster NX2 Audigy ( hear that good) Have audigy2 Platnum running at home.

Xenarc 700tsv

Earthmate GPS

OBD II Software (thinking about that)

Wireless internet (lots of wifi around my area, along with being able to d/l new mp3 and dvd iso's from home)

Not sure if I am going to replace the infinity speaker in truck or go with something else, however going to run a 4 channel amp and also a 2 channel amp so that I can achive 7.1

Now for a case, I havent found anything that I really like, and seeing how the truck is limited for space (4 door), I am going to try to keep stock look. So I think I will be building a custom Billet Aluminum case that fits under middle passenger seat (buddy owns a machine shop and is going to help in frabrication) Remove my stock radio and put the Xenarc in a foldout unit. I would like to see if there is a way to integrate the audio controls on steering wheel with my sound card (not sure if anyone has done this).

Now it looks for power I am going to have to go with an inverter. Anyone have any problems with a similar hookup? How well does inverter work. I have done lots of research and see people complain both about dc-dc and inverters. So I am looking for people supply helpful answers from actual experience, installing a CARPC. Not looking for bashing, if people like to bash maybe the moderators need to make a bashing forum.

Also will I have to worry about charging the battery or will a controller with inverter take care of carpc not draining battery when vehicle is parked for few days?

Thanks in advance for advice.

**slangnasty** · 01-06-2005, 12:20 AM

I am eager to see your setup.

There are couple of other posts here in the forum about RAM installs.

I also have a RAM 1500. I have completed my carpc install.

Regarding your setup, sounds cool... If your CarPC will be permanent, something you might want to consider... an inverter will work great for testing/setup your CarPC install, but sooner or later you will want the DC power supply. I too started out with an inverter as the power supply for my CarPC (M10000 mini-ITX/GPS/Lilliput/etc...) but moved to an OPUS 150 DC power supply which powers all my CarPC components and works very well for "auto-power-on" when I crank and "auto-power-off" when I get out of the truck. If your CarPC will be permanent, you'll probably want to go this route sooner or later.

I created a custom CarPC case for my mini ITX board. I made the computer case out of a metal keybox (from IKEA) with a dremmel tool. The case stores the mother board and a 40GB laptop drive. All components needing power are powered by the nearby Opus DC powersupply. All CarPC components + Opus are stored between the rear wall of the truck and the metal fold out rack under the driver-side rear passenger seat of Quad Cab.

Be sure to post your progress.
slang

**Wolfman** · 01-06-2005, 12:37 AM

ok.....this got posted while I was taking pics of my truck. Get me a few minutes and I will have my website fixed.

**Wolfman** · 01-06-2005, 12:55 AM

ok...site's up.

**pirate_king00** · 01-06-2005, 09:12 AM

Well I would go the OPUS, however the OPUS 150 will not have enough power to power the P4 along with the devices. The P4 itself will be drawing about 89W, not to mention the MB, HD, DVD drive. I have read that other's use multiple PS to power everything else up. This system will be permanent, going to use if for show. So if anyone hase set a similar system up using a p4, I am quite interested in seeing what you used for power. I plan on mounting the amp under the seats, and a 10 woofer under the rear seat behind passenger (going to have a custom made box that will fit that small area.

**pirate_king00** · 01-06-2005, 09:18 AM

Wolfman,

I like the install you did with the screen, a little different from mine. I see you kept the stock radio. Kind of curious how you tied the computer sound into that? Also how are you playing DVD's? Also where are you going to mount the controls for the Heater/AC? I found source for a pull out mount that will fit in radio slot to house the xenarc (currently out of stock). Looks like you have save vehicle as me Lahrmee package with the wood grain. Be interested in knowing more about your setup.

**titaniumkingpin** · 01-07-2005, 02:27 PM

i would also like to know if the opus 150w is enough to power a P4

**slangnasty** · 01-12-2005, 07:38 PM

Not sure about a p4. I am sure it will, but the question is... will be enough to power all of you other components too. Do you know how much juice you need for all of your planned components?

**slangnasty** · 01-12-2005, 07:39 PM

Also... when you removed your bezel, behind the HVAC controls there is a hard plastic shield that doesn't allow you to freely access the open area behind the HVAC and storage bin like you can behind the factory radio location...

well... my question is.. what is behind this plastic shield?

I ask because I want to remove it/cut it out so I can relocated my radio to HVAC control area, install monitor in Radio area, and move HVAC controls to storage bin area.

I also made this same inquiry with Wolfman, hoping both you guys can give me some feedback.

tia slang

**pirate_king00** · 01-13-2005, 12:52 AM

Slangnasty.

I havent ripped apart the dodge yet. Just ordered pretty much everything earlier this week and equipment should be arriving hopefully thursday or Friday. I found a 200w dc-dc power supply that I am going to try. Once I start ripping apart the dash I will let you know what I find. I will be taking lots of before/after pictures. I am wanting this to pretty much look stock. There is a dodge under the show off your project forum (or form similar). There are alot of people running p4's using an opus 150 or using 2 power supplys.