Thread: cold temperature outside...

your remote pager hopefully has an AUX button. just program that to trip a relay, a relay that actually opens up the switched lead to your power supply. that way, you can start your car then activate the AUX which will disable the computer until your turn the key (turning the key resets the AUX mode so the relay reconnects the switched lead). the 791xv system i have has 3 or 4 aux buttons actually, i can do basically anything i can think of if i wanted to..

if youre saying your computer starts with your engine right now, and you dont want it that way, just hook a switched 12v line to your REM input on your power supply. preferably, the switched 12v right from your ignition.

I would love to know what solutions you come across. Here in Michigan we are very close to winter and it can become quit cold here also. Keep us posted!

Originally Posted by justchat_1

Not really anything to "test" here the manufacturer already did.

The screen really isn't much of a problem other then not being able to use it (the remote starter was a good suggestion). But firing up a hard drive in those temperatures can actually cause permanent damage so that may be the thing that needs swapping out. Most regaular hard drives are rated for 5-55°C which would obviously be a problem in the temperatures your dealing with.

Just look at the specs for a SSD before you buy one but a lot of them are rated -40°C to 70°C. Big difference.

Goodluck finding ssd with -40C under $1000
old wheel bearing hd are rated for 0, but they work fine -30 degree.

The solution is use a HD that does not have Fluid Dynamic Bearings (FDB), as far as the screen goes let the cabin temp warm it up.

Plenty of threads already discuss this topic along with suggestions and temp examples for what other people use.... I know as I have posted in several of them.... the search feature works.

Search "cold temp screen"
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gene...computers.html
Temperature Problems

Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

The solution is use a HD that does not have Fluid Dynamic Bearings (FDB), as far as the screen goes let the cabin temp warm it up.

Plenty of threads already discuss this topic along with suggestions and temp examples for what other people use.... I know as I have posted in several of them.... the search feature works.

Search "cold temp screen"
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gene...computers.html
Temperature Problems

I could only imagine FDB hard drives are anything modern.

I've used some non FDB drives (very slow too) and even some of them dont work well in the cold either. Long term effects of using a FBD in the cold is unknown. But Ive read that in special automotive grade drives, they design the drives for the cold and heat using special materials and sensors which can compensate head fly heights and other stuff based on temperature, that normal drives dont have.

It's not just the mechanical stuff that can fail, but even solid state components like capacitors (which can lead to motherboard not POSTing). There is no one single solution. When designing the carpc, youve got to consider everything. LCD, hdd, motherboard, devices, power supply, etc... Use stuff with lower operating temperatures and crucial components (like motherboard) that have solid state capacitors.

Originally Posted by nobb

I've used some non FDB drives (very slow too) and even some of them dont work well in the cold either. Long term effects of using a FBD in the cold is unknown. But Ive read that in special automotive grade drives, they design the drives for the cold and heat using special materials and sensors which can compensate head fly heights and other stuff based on temperature, that normal drives dont have.

It's not just the mechanical stuff that can fail, but even solid state components like capacitors (which can lead to motherboard not POSTing). There is no one single solution. When designing the carpc, youve got to consider everything. LCD, hdd, motherboard, devices, power supply, etc... Use stuff with lower operating temperatures and crucial components (like motherboard) that have solid state capacitors.

Would allowing the vehicle cabin temperature to come up to where it is comfortable to people suffice before turning on the system ?

i'd like something that i can put on the ignition ..or on the 12 volt wires ...wich will allow to pc to boot when the pc will be above 5 degrees.....

is there anything i can use?

Originally Posted by leo_bergamo

Would allowing the vehicle cabin temperature to come up to where it is comfortable to people suffice before turning on the system ?

Depending on how cold it is, it could take a really long time. If it's -40C, it probably takes 5-10 min for the cabin just to get warm. Then I would estimate it to take another 10-15 min for the carpc to warm up from that. So it could take 15-25 min just for the carpc to be warm enough to boot. By that time your trip will is close to being over. This is assuming the carpc is installed in the cabin. If it's installed in the trunk, you are probably out of luck.