Washboard: Remote PC Startup and Shutdown (w/ video)

**proph** · 11-29-2008, 05:08 PM

I'm checking to see if there is any interest in a unit that will turn on your carputer from your alarm? The picture below if just a remote, and not part of the Washboard. You should be able to add the Washboard to a pre-existing alarm setup.

Here's how it works... Say I'm sitting on my couch, and I want to turn on my carputer for syncing, a file transfer, or just to install something. I press a button (or button sequence) on my alarm and it turns on my carputer. I do what I need to do on the puter, then hit another button on my alarm to turn it off. A couple local's here have seen me use, and have inquired about it... See the demo below:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Wmbmztd1s[/media]

The unit is about 2"x2"x1" so its very small. I've built a prototype, and have made improvements to it. Is there any interest in a unit that did this?

**proph** · 12-07-2008, 10:56 AM

Updated w/ video...

Thanks for your input Rodney!

**b3tts32** · 12-07-2008, 11:34 AM

I’ve been using a prototype of the washboard for a little more than 30 days now and I can say that I’ve been more than impressed with it. It’s certainly done the job for me in many different instances in which I have had issues before.

The first issue being that I live on the 3rd floor of my apartment complex, so it makes things tough when it comes to working on the pc. I would have the hassle of pulling the pc out and bringing it upstairs to work on or leaving the key in and using vnc or remote desktop. Problem being that my keys are in my car and I’m on the 3rd floor! With the washboard I can turn on the pc from my apartment and take care of any work that needs to be done and turn it off.

The next issue that came up was the cold weather thing. My pc doesn’t want to play nicely unless it’s been running for about 15 minutes or so and warmed up. My car is a standard so that rules out remote start of the car in general. So again with the washboard I could just turn on the pc 20 mins or so before I was ready to leave for work in the morning .

The Last issue that I had always dealt with was my computer freezing for whatever reason and I would have to go to my hatch to reset it or kill the power. I never did get around to wiring a kill switch or anything like that to the front so this got to become a big problem. So now I have a function on my alarm remote that restarts the pc so this has been a lifesaver.

In conclusion, I can honestly say that the washboard has done everything I needed and more. For some it may just be the convenience of having it, but for me I believe it’s a necessity for my carpc to function the way that I’d like for it to. With the little hardware that’s required I’d recommend this for any and everyone really. As they would say on reading rainbow – “You don’t have to take my word for it”

**D3StRoY** · 12-07-2008, 11:43 AM

That looks great, really useful indeed, i would use it!

Great work !!

**proph** · 12-09-2008, 07:25 PM

If there's enough interest in the piece I'll build it out... I'm working on a timer for the unit as a failsafe.

**D3StRoY** · 12-10-2008, 11:40 AM

Well im interested, depends on how much this device (with controller?) will cost

But its very useful to send all my music etc to the car without the need to go outside and boot everything up !

**Sonicxtacy02** · 12-10-2008, 11:57 AM

very interested as well depending on price

**Maheriano** · 12-10-2008, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by b3tts32

My car is a standard so that rules out remote start of the car in general.

My car is a standard, I have remote start. Had it installed for 3 years now, works fine.

This unit looks pretty good, though why can't you just hook your alarm brain directly to the computer? Is it possible to hook an AUX output on the brain to the switched line in the car so that the motherboard receives the signal to turn on via the switched line like normal?

**proph** · 12-16-2008, 07:47 PM

What's creating and holding the latch Maher?

I'll complete the work on this, and send out some pics probably late next week after the pcb's come in.

Once I've completed it I'll let everyone know the cost on it... probably around 50 shipped.

**fabworks** · 12-17-2008, 12:07 AM

it's a cool idea and thing to have, the only issue that I see is if you forget to turn the computer off after having it turn on with the remote. Your battery will be drained.