New, just saying hi.

**psyrex** · 06-03-2005, 03:58 AM

Hi everybody. I'm new to post here but been reading for a long time now. I've finally taken the plunge to get into this project and thought I'd actually make an account to the forum and say hi. I've been running iGuidance 2.1 on my laptop, but it's getting annoying, so carputer, here I come!

Reusing old hardware:
-ECS P6STP-FL all-in-one motherboard (flexATX form factor)
-Celeron 633 (16.5W peak, baby!)
-Voodoo3 (oldie but goodie if I really want to powerstrip this into 800x480 since the onboard can't)
-15GB standard hard drive
-GPS receiver
-keyboard controller (see below as to why)
-all needed software

Just purchased:
-Lilliput 619GL-70NP

Still undecided on which model to get:
-DC-DC Converter

All this will be going into my 2002 Lexus IS300. I plan to put the bulk of everything under the driver's seat, removing the floor heater vent and running the wires through the vent/duct to behind the dash. GPS receiver up in the sunroof for hopefully better signal, and the lilliput will be motorized from underneath the lint tray at the top of the center console. It'll probably be a PIC to a stepper motor.

I'm trying to get this looking as OEM as possible, so I've done the hacks to iGuidance 2.1 (which can do full-screen, thank God!) to remove the stupid XP windowing around the menus and font and street sizes. I've used nLite to cut XP down to a 109MB ISO and boot time for hibernation is dead on 30 seconds (bios: 21sec, XP: 9sec)

I think the only thing different that I'll do that I haven't seen anybody else do yet is a personalized keyboard. I have the iGKeys program for iGuidance, which allows for an extended set of hotkeys. I plan to take the keyboard controller and just make only 6 keys that send the scan codes for the items I want:
- Voice (space bar)
- Cancel ("c")
- ReRoute ("e")
- Home ("o")
- Zoom in (up)
- Zoom out (down)

I hope to fab the buttons to look as OEM-like as possible and use lettering for the words. I didn't include a Mute button because iGuidance already has a mute that is easily accessible via touchscreen.

I hope I can contribute more to the forums since I got so much out of you guys. Let me know what you guys think of my plans. I intend to finish everything in the next 2 weeks or so.

-psyrex

[NOT MY CAR - pic stolen through Google images]

**J187** · 06-03-2005, 08:32 AM

Hi Psyrex, welcome. Looks like youve got most of it figured out. If I may make a suggestion, I noticed you are undecided about Power supply. Consider going for the opus 150. Even though it may seem overkill for your needs, considering whether or not you will be upgrading in the somewhat near future. That in mind, you don't wanna be trying to sell you lesser PSU in order to buy an Opus down the road - that is unless you wan't to wait until the more powerfull opuses come out. Just a suggestion.

**RS3RS** · 06-04-2005, 02:55 AM

Cool, welcome to the dark side.

And yeah, the OPUS is pretty much the best you can get.

**psyrex** · 06-04-2005, 02:21 PM

Thanks guys.

Yeah, since power is the basis of all this, I guess I shouldn't skimp on the power supply. *sigh*, this is beginning to get costly.

What do you think of the modified keyboard idea? I haven't seen it in the forums, but has it been done before? Are there pics, writeups, anything I can draw inspiration from?

-psyrex

**psyrex** · 06-10-2005, 10:29 PM

Haha, it looks like I'll just use this thread as a chronicle of my successes and failures as my and (hopefully) other's reference in the future.

Well, I finally finished my motor controller. I wanted to motorize the LCD as it would be cool as well as function as a security-through-obscurity when it's hidden away. I wanted to emulate a factory-like 'push button once to initiate' instead of holding down the button and letting go when the LCD is at its desired position.

I finished the controller on the protoboard and it works. I push the button and it moves forward. It hits the ending (distance adjustable) roller switch and it stops. I hit the button again and it moves backwards, stopping only when it hits the other end switch. I used components and a design so that it can run anywhere from 5V to 18V, operate up to 80C/176F temps, and the relay has a switch life of up to probably 3 years of use.

Only thing I forgot.... THE DAMN MOTOR ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH!! It could barely move the dead weight I used to simulate the LCD. I'm such a retard

. Now I have to redo the whole gear assembly to fit a different sized motor in it. *sigh*

-psyrex