Thread: starting to think about a carputer

You need to decide whether you're up to the challenge. If the FAQ for hooking a working computer up to an amp is over your head, you will have difficulty succeeding at this project. Since every install is custom, there is no manual to follow and you will have to improvise constantly. While you can ask questions on this forum, people are hesitant to "spoon-feed" someone through a car PC install.

Also, while it is possible to put a car PC in your car and be able to return it to stock, it requires careful planning. I suggest checking out some of the projects in the "Show off your project" forum. If the projects seem to be over your head, I wouldn't do it. You could easily damage your car and cost yourself major repair bills.

Well All i have to say is ......You will find everything you want buy searching.


But to help you out a bit:

You can put a carputer in your car and always take it out, unless you do dashboard fabrication.

You can literally just put you compaq in you car. But yeah i would buy a case or build your own custom case. Also buy a DC-DC Power Supply. THey hook up to the power of you car and start when you start the car. Go with an OPUS.

Yes the only way you can run a carputer is through a touchscreen. You done need a headunit unless you want one. Your computer is everything a headunit does and more. To hook it up to you amps, well you gotta get a sound card for the computer and just connected the RCA Cables from your amps, to your sound card.
HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp

Well I use a device called Radio-Xtreme:
http://www.radio-xtreme.com/RadioXtreme.htm
You can easily hook it up to your car's antenna.

Well the compaq is out now. I guess the cheapest thing to do would be to build one, unless anyone thinks the ones this website sells are bargain...??

I wouldnt be looking for custom fabrication. The home page on this website is my car exactly, so i would just throw in a touch screen in the middle and figure a way to mount the thing.

I didnt think you needed a soundcard if you are going right to the amp? i read in one of these faqs.

Bugbyte, what serious problems could i cause with the car? It all seems like elementary circuitry to me, i just dont know the methods as yet.

I will search after i post, but is there an ecu-carputer integration? I read a bit about diagnostic software but how powerful is this and what can it tell you?

Thanks

EDIT: just searched and found that my obd2 vw is perfect for ross-tech's software, has anyone used it? How in depth does it go.

Originally Posted by oldunion

Bugbyte, what serious problems could i cause with the car? It all seems like elementary circuitry to me, i just dont know the methods as yet.

1. You could improperly install your power supply that causes a fire. This could occur even though the car is turned off.

2. You will have to tap into your car's stereo system if you want to use the speakers. If you do this improperly, you will disable your car's stereo system, requiring you to visit a professional installer to have it repaired.

Those are two I can think of right off the top of my head.

Look at ProScan for the OBDII Software. I am very happy with it.

http://www.myscantool.com/


Batman

hmm. ill keep that in mind! Dont need my car burning down.

What about the computer itself. The cheapest thing i can think of is the one on this website. Plus it looks somewhat small. Is this computer sufficient for holding a ton of songs and movies, handling subs, nav system, and vag-com vw software?

what cables would i have to use to connect my laptop to my subs,head unit and amplifiers?or what programs

Originally Posted by charlied87

what cables would i have to use to connect my laptop to my subs,head unit and amplifiers?or what programs

1) Don't hijack someone else's thread.
2) Read this: HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp