My proposed setup

**brew-san** · 07-05-2005, 07:12 AM

I've been wanting to build a carputer for my RSX-S since buying the car over 3.5 years ago. Now that I have the Hondata K-pro (a PC connectable programmable ECU) I've decided to take the plunge.

I been trolling the forums for a couple weeks and have learned a bunch.

Here's the list of parts I've choosen:

VIA EPIA MII12000 Mini-ITX Mainboard
T-View TM-700TS
OPUS 120 watt DC-DC power Supply DCX3.120
Kingston 512MB Non-ECC PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory
Toshiba MK4019GAX 40GB 5400rpm 16MB 2.5" Mobile Hard Drive (with a 2.5"-3.5" adapter)
Panasonic Slim Slot Load DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive 24x24x24 (with a Slim to normal IDE adapter)

And the attached how I think it is supposed to be wired together. I didn't inlcude the peripherials since I've built enough PC's to know how those go together. There's really no way to hook most of that stuff up wrongly anyway.

Now my questions.

1. The opus came with a 3 wire plug similar to the 6 wire one. There doesn't seem to be an abvious place for it. What is this for?
2. I'd like to instal the MB and PS under one part of dash and then run the IDE cable to the combo drive and install that elsewhere so that it is in a convienent place to load. The longeest IDE cables I can find are 36" which might not be long enough. Do IDE cables longer than 36" exist and if so where can I get them?
3. Is there anything I should wire differently from my diagram? Basically is there a better\smarter\safer\easier way than what I've diagrammed to set this up.
4. Any other thoughts, comments or suggestions are welcome.

**Scouse Monkey** · 07-05-2005, 07:49 AM

1. no idea about the 3 pin - check the manual and drop Opus a email if you are still confused - and them post your fidning back here.

2. As for IDE - there a few threads on longer IDE cables so have a search and read through a few of the better looking ones. Thay are available or you can make them using some ribbon cable and some IDC connectors but you run the risk of getting errors. For occasional use and audio use they should be ok but if ytou are going very long then I would suggest using an IDE to firewire or USB2 adapter. (you need to convert the slim DVD to connector to regular IDE or 2.5" IDE and then get a converter to firewire or USB2).

I would go with firewire if you have it on your mobo as it is better as sustained transfer rates and youwill be using your USB for other stuff.

You could look for an external firewire slim CD/DVD case thatw ill have all the relevant adapters but remeber you will need a 5V supply to the drive form your opus.

Oh i just noitced you already ahve the slim to IDE adapter. In that case just get the IDE to firewire/USB2 adapter.

3. in work cant look too much

4. make sure you put the fuse on the +ve lead with about 18 inches of the battery to protect as much cable as possible. 15A should be plenty. You would have to be running at full load and less than 8V input to blow it.

**Mad Ad** · 07-05-2005, 05:15 PM

run your monitor off a 4 pin molex, no point having to muck about with the 20 pin section cutting or soldering stuff on.

where are you mounting the drive? if the units going under the dash, why not put the drive in the console or somewhere nearby... people with the pc in the back have these issues with the drive in the front, seems your going the other way?

**brew-san** · 07-05-2005, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the advice guys!

Off of the 4 pin molex's? aren't they pushing 5V? The monitor is expecting 12V. (My understanding of electronics is somewhat limited.)

I plan on mounting the drive in the dash somewhere (possibly near the head unit) and the computer elsewhere under the dash (centre console, maybe under the passenger kick panel). I don't really need a cable much longer than 36" in fact 36" might be enough but looking at it I have a feeling it might be a bit short.

**BADDERICK** · 07-05-2005, 06:18 PM

Yellow is 12 volts, red is 5 then the two grounds

**brew-san** · 07-05-2005, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by BADDERICK

Yellow is 12 volts, red is 5 then the two grounds

And that's true regardless of if I use the bigger (CD-rom\hard drive) ones or the smaller floppy drive ones correct?

**BADDERICK** · 07-05-2005, 10:07 PM

You got it. I am not sure about all power supplies, But most, if you look at the wires.....The "smaller floppy" one usually comes out of one of the "bigger" cd/harddrive ones....it's the same wire.

**Cheekz185** · 07-06-2005, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by brew-san

1. The opus came with a 3 wire plug similar to the 6 wire one. There doesn't seem to be an abvious place for it. What is this for?

I also have the OPUS 120w and it came with a Slimline to ide converter with 2 usb ports. ON that board is where the plug goes. It is for a 12V power. Yellow = 12v / Black = Ground and Red = Open (Nothing)

**brew-san** · 07-06-2005, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Cheekz185

I also have the OPUS 120w and it came with a Slimline to ide converter with 2 usb ports. ON that board is where the plug goes. It is for a 12V power. Yellow = 12v / Black = Ground and Red = Open (Nothing)

Mine didn't come with a "Slimline to ide converter with 2 usb ports"