Thread: 1998 G20 Van Toy Hauler Project

7. Install infrared and nightvision cams <- have technical
specs to hack webcams to do the trick, haven't done it yet

Infrared lights and webcams - do work - but you really need
image intensifier - like in real night vision - or a realy strong
Infrared flood light - it will glow a dull red

2. Install back-up camera and monitor <- equipment
purchased, not yet installed

use the computer for video capture - so you can record video
I just ordered the "GESS DVR 104" from ebay - its a video capture
card that captures from 4 different video cams at the same time -
and it does it in MPEG-4 - I think it will allow me to view 4
cams at the same time - that would be cool for your van

9. Install alternative power source through either solar
panels, card-deck fuel cells, or some other suggestion <- currently
in contact with various suppliers of these types of equipment and
a couple of professors who seem to have perfected low output
fuel cells for my type of applications

Wow guess you got some money - - just get a small
generator that runs off of propane and have it charge 12v batterys
you can put the generator in a sound proof box - just vent it good
and watch the heat

you can roll you own fuel cells but the membranes costs lots of $$$
check out this page
guerrilla.net
check out "Power Systems" on that page

11. Install weapons systems and defensive
counter-measures <- turns out, this is a felony in my
state so that stage is ON-HOLD

Ok, I was just joking on that last one

no, your not - not like the state has to know

I used to play a game called "Interstate 76" I loved that dam game,
you got to drive around in cars with guns mounted on them, and all
kinds of good stuff - you had to kill every one in the cars with your
car - it was fun we found ways to hack the cars, and had even more fun

Originally Posted by will1384

Infrared lights and webcams - do work - but you really need
image intensifier - like in real night vision - or a realy strong
Infrared flood light - it will glow a dull red

Good advice. I actually saw the infrared flood lights at Fry's yesterday and they weren't that expensive at all.

use the computer for video capture - so you can record video
I just ordered the "GESS DVR 104" from ebay - its a video capture
card that captures from 4 different video cams at the same time -
and it does it in MPEG-4 - I think it will allow me to view 4
cams at the same time - that would be cool for your van

I considered that, but I ran into a couple of problems:

1. The windows on the van in the back are blacked out completely so the actual rearview mirror is useless.
2. The G20 is REALLY long.

Backing up is a major issue and I wanted it to be as seamless as possible for not just me, but for whomever might be moving the van. The actual webcam array will take care of the recording part from the rear, but I wanted a dedicated CCTV system which could be powered on in seconds.

Wow guess you got some money - - just get a small
generator that runs off of propane and have it charge 12v batterys
you can put the generator in a sound proof box - just vent it good
and watch the heat

you can roll you own fuel cells but the membranes costs lots of $$$
check out this page
guerrilla.net
check out "Power Systems" on that page

Excellent link! Thank you!

Surprisingly enough, what I am finding with regards to solar cells puts them well within my grasp. Again, Fry's helped me out yesterday. Their cheapest panel set was about $70, generating enough wattage to keep a deep cycle battery charged, even constant low load. I don't have my full electrical needs determined yet so I am not sure how many additional panels (or bigger ones) I will need yet. Here is the site for the panels Fry's carries: http://www.icpsolar.com/

no, your not - not like the state has to know

I used to play a game called "Interstate 76" I loved that dam game,
you got to drive around in cars with guns mounted on them, and all
kinds of good stuff - you had to kill every one in the cars with your
car - it was fun we found ways to hack the cars, and had even more fun

I would be interested in hearing more details about this game, if you care to share them. In the meantime, don't think I haven't seriously wondered what types of dual-use hardware I could install. I found a really great book once at Barnes and Noble which contained detailed plans for off-the-shelf inexpensive (relatively) devices. One which intrigued me was an EMP generator. Issues of disabling your own vehicle in the burst aside, imagine the possibilities of directing a pulse at the car near the stoplight with the music so loud it's shaking your windows. They also had directions for a medium distance cutting laser.

Ah, the possibilities....


I have considered what Stage II of this project would entail and I post some of thoughts soon. I am hoping that once Stage I (above) is complete, it will garner enough attention to get some corporate sponsorship for the next part.

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Sound like you are building this vehicle for military use instead of for everyday carputer users.
Who need an array of webcam, infrared, night vision cams. Active scanning radar system for what? Weapons for defend and counter-measure. Now you are sure of building a vehicle to guarding something.....
Something isn't right with your setup man.

I need it because I think it would be cool and I want it. What other real reason do I need? I mean, when you stop to think about it, there is no NEED for a carputer at all except for some gee-whiz factors and A/V applications.

The fact is that I stated quite clearly this vehicle is going to be used as a camping van. All the things I want on it, and which are well within the reach of anyone, have real uses in that situation. Infrared and night vision? Check some of the newer high-end sedans to see applications. Radar? I think nearly every new mini-van is equipped with it for crash and collision warnings.

The fact is none of you were content with just having a car in the garage and a computer in the house. I am fortunate to have access to the equipment I do, the know-how to implement it, and the nerd-level to want to play once it is finished. Lighten up. Sheesh!

You got to check out this page Information Unlimited they got all kinds of good stuff

I would be interested in hearing more details about this game,
if you care to share them.

the game took place in the mid 1970s - you got to use all the big
cars from that time, they even had a few trucks a bus and
some small cars

You could make you car custom, but had a wait limit - and you
had a limit on gun mounts, thats were the hacks came in - we
could change the wait of the car - add more guns, even make it fly

I had a flying school bus with 8 50cal guns and heavy armor
but it moved like 15mph

in the game they had a helicoptor and a tank that you had to fight
- we hacked them so you could play with them, and some peeps
found out how to make stuff out of the parts of the game - like one
guy used a tire from one of the cars , made it bigger and put a 50cal
gun on the top and bottom of the tire , and made it fly - it looked like
a ufo with guns - another one did the same thing, but had the tire
rolling on the ground - you could make maps for the game also
some of the best maps had huge jumps , this game came out in 1996
it was in 3D, but they decided to update the game and disabled all the
good stuff - no more long jumps, and no hacked cars

here is a webpage on the game
Interstate '76

Originally Posted by will1384

You got to check out this page Information Unlimited they got all kinds of good stuff

WOW! I love that site. The very real temptation to build and implement some of that stuff is powerful. On the bright side of things, no future wife will ever accuse me of being a couch potato with no hobbies. Thanks for the link!



here is a webpage on the game
Interstate '76[/QUOTE]


I am checking into it. Looks like a winner, though I hope no one construes that to mean I am looking for some sort of training simulator for "military" cargo van.

Originally Posted by lostreception

Welcome to the forum
its nice to see some vans here from time to time

where are you mounting the 15in monitor i have a 7in xenarc and will probably be selling it soon as i cant see a thing on it due to where its mounted in the center console. its a shame too cause its brand new

Let me know some details about what you have. Maybe we can work something out as I am always looking for gadgets. Thanks!