Forced to start working on my carpc with low budget.

**Blue_Night** · 05-26-2005, 07:37 PM

ok, I was forced by my older brother to start working on this project that I had planed but in the future, ok he gave me this GPS for my B-day so I can use it with my laptop unfortunately I have a 17" laptop so is very uncomfortable to use it.
After browsing and browsing all of you guys setups and custom works, I have tons of ideas on how to set the screen and pc and finally got my project in my head but not that much cash so I'll start only with the touch screen.
My car has a 1.5 din but the a 7" screen will fit in there, now i have to relocate my stereo to my AC and my AC somewhere else. I haven’t done any Fiberglass or anything like that so my main concern is fabricating a faceplate for my screen out of plastic or wood, I find it easier to work with wood but don’t know how to painted and have that stock look on it, then I have seen some of you don’t use fiberglass, what rout would be the easiest for a beginner like me. I will use the mounting bracket that came with my stock CD/cassette player to mount the screen. thanks I will buy a lilliput in this days and also another bezel to work on.

As for hardware I have some concerns to what and how to connected:
- CarNetix CNX-P1260 12V DC-DC regulator
- OPUS 120 watt DC-DC power Supply (do i need this with the CarNetix?)
- VIA EPIA MII12000
- Ultra Low Profile 512MB DDR RAM
- 2.5" Hard Drive 60GB 5400rpm
- Slot Load DVD-ROM/CD-RW
- New 7" Lilliput Touch Screen (I alreay bought it)
- USB GPS (have it)
- USB Creative Labs Sound Blaster Digital Music

is this everything I need? I was looking at the CarNetix website and according to the diagrams the PC and Screen are connected to it, is that correct?

I already made the casing for the PC but I dont think the CarNetix will fit in there. I want the PC to start with the key as receiver does.

thanks and any advice is welcome

**Jahntassa** · 05-26-2005, 08:54 PM

If that's a newer mustang, I believe that space is actually a doubledin. It's just because of the wierd way Ford does their dashes that it's a little harder to mount things in there..

I'm trying to think of where you could move the AC stuff to, but i'm failing. I think the mustangs still use mechanical controls, so you can't go too far..

Good luck with everything though, and let us know how everything goes!

**Blue_Night** · 05-26-2005, 09:55 PM

I also thought that it was a 2din but it doesn’t matter anymore, a few weeks back I saw a Roush with the AC in the glove box; if they where able to put it there I think I can make it work even though the glove box is kind of far, I thought of moving it to the center consol [arm rest] what exactly do you mean by mechanical??? Aren’t they connected by cables???? So I can extend them to anywhere I want???? Another option was taking the center vents out but I really need them for the summer. I love my CD receiver and taking it out is not an option.

I’m going to start taking pictures of the car as is and take more pictures as I go on. Is the worklog where I have to put my progress??? OK its time for me to continue searching for the touch screen.

**Blue_Night** · 05-30-2005, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Blue_Night

As for hardware I have some concerns to what and how to connected:
- CarNetix CNX-P1260 12V DC-DC regulator
- OPUS 120 watt DC-DC power Supply (do i need this with the CarNetix?)
- VIA EPIA MII12000
- Ultra Low Profile 512MB DDR RAM
- 2.5" Hard Drive 60GB 5400rpm
- Slot Load DVD-ROM/CD-RW
- New 7" Lilliput Touch Screen (I alreay bought it)
- USB GPS (have it)
- USB Creative Labs Sound Blaster Digital Music

is this everything I need? I was looking at the CarNetix website and according to the diagrams the PC and Screen are connected to it, is that correct?

Is this all i need? and what kind of cables should i use or theseproducts come with their respective cables?

thanks!

**EsKALad** · 05-30-2005, 03:22 PM

I say leave the ac contorls alone if you can. If you absolutely must move them than do so. But its always better to keep ac originla location. As far as the power....the opus is regulated so u won't need the carnetix.

**Blue_Night** · 05-31-2005, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by EsKALad

I say leave the ac contorls alone if you can. If you absolutely must move them than do so. But its always better to keep ac originla location. As far as the power....the opus is regulated so u won't need the carnetix.

what do you mean by regulated, and would the Opus power o/off the pc when tha car starts like the CD or would I have to turn it on/off.

Trust me I would love to leave the A/C where it is but I really love my CD receiver. but I have decided to put it in the center consolo that way i have them close to me and not in the glovebox. thanx for the comments and the help.

Q about the worklog, can I start it now? and update it as I move on or would it be better to wait untill i have all teh parts, thanks.

**HHdesign** · 05-31-2005, 09:31 PM

You could put the A/C controls in the glovebox, or if you really want to be ambitious, in the roof, but that would stick out quite a bit. Lots of ford pars avaiable, rip some apart and pratice.

**UnsanePyro** · 05-31-2005, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Blue_Night

what do you mean by regulated, and would the Opus power o/off the pc when tha car starts like the CD or would I have to turn it on/off.

Trust me I would love to leave the A/C where it is but I really love my CD receiver. but I have decided to put it in the center consolo that way i have them close to me and not in the glovebox. thanx for the comments and the help.

Q about the worklog, can I start it now? and update it as I move on or would it be better to wait untill i have all teh parts, thanks.

Why not move the CD player, adn keep the A/C where it is? If it is mechanical, that seems like it would be a whole lot easier.

**turbocad6** · 05-31-2005, 09:58 PM

you don't need the carnetix if your going opus....I would also recomend going with the opus 150 to start with....You will notice that one of the bigger problem areas with carpc installs is power requirements.....the opus 150 will give you room to grow...the usb periferals...wireless......everything consumes power that will be supplied from the opus.......

If your ac controls are cable then you can extend them wherever you like within reason...but it may be a little challenging. the only two cables involved would be the hot/cold door flap cable & the vent possision cable...but you can't just add on to the cable thats there, you will have to replace it with a longer cable which will involve a certain extent of fabrication, can't call ford & order the cables, only longer

bicycle cables are a good place to start..... the blower motor wires will probably need to be extended....use the same gauge wire & solder all these conections, as the blower circuit is higher amperage & any resistance in these conections will cause headaches..

ever think about keeping the head unit, only burrying it in the dash & remote mounting the faceplate on say a sunvisor? would take two cat5 cables & a little soldering..but may actually be easier that the ac relocation.....

**Blue_Night** · 05-31-2005, 10:43 PM

I guess I might be getting a Opus 150 then.
AS for teh A/C I'm going to check it out on sunday and see how is set up and tehn go from ther if not I might have to change my final project. The face plate is not detachable it comes down/forward and then the CD tray comes out. then againg I could play with it too. hummmm idead ideas ideas