New Car PC :)

**kurgy** · 06-21-2004, 08:13 AM

Hello from oz!!

Im quite new to this, so please dont tread on me! I've been looking at the idea of a car pc to play mp3's, dvd's and do gps and stuff for a while now, and recently decided to start getting the parts together I need.

Im not too clued up on car electrics and stuff, but I've got a fair idea Im on the right track, just might need to add something more to do with the dc-dc stuff.

The setup I'm going for, is:

C134 case,
VIA EPIA M10000 system board,
256MB Ram,
slim slot in dvd/cdrw,
40gb 5400rpm 8mb 2.5" hdd,
Lilliput 7" XGA Touchscreen
and an ITPS Power Sequencer.

Im planning to install this in a DIN slot on my Mitsubishi Magna ('99 TH Advance), with the screen sitting just below where the cup holders are

.

My car stereo has an aux input for the sound, so hopefully that will work ok.

I'm just hoping anyone out there with some experience with something similar might be able to give me any pointers, advice or just hints in what to watch out for.

My plan is to see about getting it professionally installed, could anyone recommend an individual/company in the perth area?

Finally, I've also been looking at the different types of GPS software out there to use - Destinator seems to be quite interesting, but there are a few others out too - anything anyone recommends?

Many thanks in advance for any help!

Kurgy

**Yuriy** · 06-21-2004, 08:46 AM

Well, good luck!
I can't really recommend anything here since my system is not "standard", but there are lots of people here that can help. Your system sounds okay, but you might run into problems with power.

**kurgy** · 06-21-2004, 08:54 AM

Thanks Yuriy!

What sort of problems do you think I'll be looking at with the power? This is what concerns me too, as Im sure I'm missing something, but from what I've read I can't see what it needs to be.

Any help on this would be appreciated!

Cheers

**MikeH** · 06-21-2004, 09:20 AM

Kurgy,

I think what Youriy is referring to is "surviving crank", which means when you try to start your engine when your computer is already running, it will crash. I've put together an explanation of this HERE

**therussman2002** · 06-21-2004, 09:28 AM

I bought much of the same setup. Only problems i had: i bought the c134 + via m10000 "barebones" deal for 320 bucks inc shipping, with intentions of throwing it in the dash below my 8" lilliput (discarding the radio and relocating the climate controls). However, this case is 10" deep and i, the silly fool, did not measure the spot i was putting it in. The case now sits buried behind the dash somewhere. I had the ITPS, but i did not know it did not survive engine crankin', thanks to poor levels of research on my part. Also, i could not get the thing to work quite right at all (i had it mounted in a wierd spot in the c134, that was probably the problem... ive heard the heatsink has 12v going through it, which probably didnt help when i had it butted up against the case), went ahead and shipped it back (well, still planning on taking care of that). I bought the OPUS 90w power supply (very nice unit btw), thinking it would fit where the old power supply was in the c134, nope. Had to do some bending/cutting.

I could have bought just the mobo for 160 bucks, since i am not really using the case or the power supply. (well the power supply is sitting in the trunk as a 12v --> 5v step down unit for my audigy2 & 7port usb hub, but still)

**kurgy** · 06-21-2004, 09:54 AM

Thanks MikeH and therussman2002!

I thought the ITPS looked after all the cranking stuff though? Im not actually looking for the computer to be on before i start the engine, or stay on after i turn it off. As I understood it, the ITPS turned on the motherboard a few seconds after the car was turned on, and then when the keys were taken out, it sent a kill signal to the motherboard, and turned it off 30 seconds or so after - I looked all this up a while back, so sorry if im a bit out with my figures and how it works!

If I missed something here, can someone fill me in?

Cheers again, Kurgy.

**Yuriy** · 06-21-2004, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by kurgy

Thanks Yuriy!

What sort of problems do you think I'll be looking at with the power? This is what concerns me too, as Im sure I'm missing something, but from what I've read I can't see what it needs to be.

Any help on this would be appreciated!

Cheers

What MikeH said

You wull need an OPUS (whatever that is) or a UPS to be able to put your computer in hibernation and keep it running while you start the engine. You will also need to decide what inverter (or other power source/regulator) to buy for your system and you will have to avoid blowing fuses - they are really hard to replace.

Heh, I probably made it sound like an impossible task

In reality it is rather easy. I got it the very first time.

**kurgy** · 06-21-2004, 10:24 PM

Ok I'm very lost now - I didnt think I would be needing an inverter or anything like that, with the dc power supply already in the c134 case?

**Yuriy** · 06-22-2004, 05:02 AM

Well, you will have to think about somehow connecting it to the car

If you already know how you are going to make it happen then that won't be a problem.

**proTONEd** · 06-23-2004, 02:05 PM

Hi Kurgy,

I hope I am able to make skies a little more clear.

First of all, your ITPS should do the trick. It should make the m10000 start AFTER cranking. I have one myself. Works perfectly! Wonderful piece of technology I would say!

Most people here use an Opus power converter. And if you were using a normal PC, it would probably be the best choice (normal pc's use a lot more power). But since you use a mini-itx, you don't need that. If you allready have a 12v DC power supply in your case, you just have to install the ITPS and hook it up to that. But like therussman2002 said, watch out for the cooling fins not to touch the case!

Secondly, if I were you, I'd do the install myself. I don't think a lot of people are doing this for a living (at least not for small price). Mounting it in the dash could be difficult in most cars, though. Most of the times the dash is not that deep, so consider installing it somewhere else.

For connecting it to your head unit, so work without a problem.

About the GPS, sorry no experiences in this field yet.