Am I on the right track with my hardware purchases?

**spam@clarke.ca** · 03-23-2007, 06:22 PM

Hi. I'm building my first carpc and would like to know if I'm on the right track with what I'm thinking of buying before I do it. I already have an 8" touchscreen from my previous setup. I'll definitely use this for GPS, and maybe for music too since currently my vehicle has no stereo so I'll be designing all that from scratch too. I'll likely do various other things like keep workshop manuals and stuff on there, but no really heavy duty stuff. I may watch the occasional DVD but it won't be often.

Mobo/CPU:
VIA EPIA EN15000 Mini-Itx Motherboard
Mp3Car.com Custom car computers and parts!
Is this overkill? I'm all for saving money but OTOH I don't want to buy something I'll be unhappy with in a year.

PS/Startup/Shutdown controller:
M2-ATX 160W Intelligent DC-DC PSU
Mp3Car.com Custom car computers and parts!
I'll have a dual battery setup so I'll be able to run down the auxiliary battery in a worst case scenario and still start the truck. I want to be able to shut down or hibernate my computer a set amount of time after I turn off my car (at least 30 minutes), and have the computer start up automatically when I start the car. I also figure I'll have accessories like maybe a dash-mounted DVD drive or a USB sound card or something that I'll need to turn off/on along with the computer. I think some of these controllers do that, but I'm not sure if this one does that.

Case:
I have room in the seat box under the passenger seat for a computer. It's probably 30x45x20mm or something like that. It's currently not vented but I'll cut holes for fans or something. I figured I'd not bother with a case but just mount the hardware directly in there. Is that a stupid idea? I figure in this instance, a case will just keep things too warm.

Another option would be to put the whole thing in a mini case and stick it behind the custom dash I'm building. The problem is that it might not be very waterproof there (it's an old Land Rover) so I'd then have to waterproof everything around there.

Am I missing anything crucial? Will these items let me do what I want, or do I need to do something else? Also, am I buying more than I realistically need? I've never had an Epia VIA board so I don't know how underpowered they really are. My last in-car computer was an old PIII 800 laptop that was adequate. I don't mind if my new one's not much faster than that but I certainly don't want it slower!

Thank you VERY MUCH for any help anyone has,
- Andrew.

**Aaron3262** · 03-24-2007, 12:48 PM

It has been mentioned many times on here and I agree that under the seat might not be the best place for a computer. Have you seen underneath some peoples seats, plus you run the risk of someone with big feet kicking a wire loose or something, worst case shorting the thing out. I like the idea of putting it in the dash myself, even though this propably will limit your access at least it won't get kicked around. As far as your main board I have seen a lot of people on here who have them and they don't seem to have any problems. Good luck getting everything installed and configured.

**spam@clarke.ca** · 03-24-2007, 01:10 PM

Hi. Thanks for your feedback. "Under the seat" in a Land Rover 110 isn't quite the same, as in this case it's a completely enclosed aluminium box, with a removable lid. I've enclosed a photo of it, although it's a little hard to make out. I put red lines around the top of the box, which still has part of the cover on in the foreground. You can see more photos at http://www.clarke.ca/SaabSeatsInLandRover110.php. Because it's more or less completely enclosed I'll likely cut holes in it and put a fan or two on it to give it some airflow. Or something like that. I'll see how it goes without the airflow first.

I think I'll order the M2-ATX off this site, but I think I've decided to downgrade the mobo/CPU combo to a Via Epia MII 10000 as I can get one new for C$160 shipped off eBay. That's a small enough investment that I can resell it if it doesn't quite do it for me ... which it may not! It will get me started at least.

Thanks again,
- Andrew.