My other creation: 2000 Honda Accord SE setup.

**MatrixPC** · 06-15-2007, 12:28 PM

Thanks guys.
After doing fab work on 2 installed, I simply sick and tired of it

So I went an easy route on this one. I have to work on it fast and simple because the car is being use by my wife during the day. She can't drive my other cars (manual).

Anyway, I am still have a perfectly brand new 3rd DIN attachment for the Accord of this generation. If you guys interest, I'll sell it for 20+5 S/H USPS priority. This is the one that H and A send me as replacement in perfect condition (no broken clip). I use the one they sent me first which has broken clip. YOU HAVE TO BREAK THE CLIP in order to the the darn thing in anyway because it is so freaking tight.

**maxgtr2000** · 06-23-2007, 04:21 AM

There should be a sticky on this fabrication!! Nice job.

**Velequez** · 06-23-2007, 09:48 PM

Great job! I'm researching for my 2002 Accord SE. I think I will use a similar lcd setup. Do you know if the 3rd DIN will work on an '02?

**MatrixPC** · 06-25-2007, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Velequez

Great job! I'm researching for my 2002 Accord SE. I think I will use a similar lcd setup. Do you know if the 3rd DIN will work on an '02?

I think the 3rd DIN should fit all Accord in that generation.

**goldenley** · 06-27-2007, 10:08 PM

nice, I drive a 2000 Honda Accord SE 4dr!

I'm new to this stuff, and I've done some research into putting a basic mini-ITX system in my car. While I'm pretty handy with electronics, I'm a complete idiot when it comes to car stuff. I bought a Chilton book which is helpful for some car things. My main question I've hit right now is power wiring. Is there an auxillary power harness somewhere I can easily hook into to power the system? Am I going to have to take apart the dash to run a new fused power wire?

My plan is to build a simple mp3 system that can be easily upgraded/expanded later (DVD, OBDII, GPS, etc...). I'm thinking a VoomPC encolsure with a M1-ATX PS somewhere near me (probably mounted with velcro). I don't want to mess with the stock tape/CD stereo that takes up both DIN slots. I'll run audio through a digital tape thingy or a USB FM xmitter. I want the enclosure out of sight and the LCD easily removeable and stored out of sight. (actually haven't thought much about the LCD since it's not strictly necessary for an mp3 system).

**MatrixPC** · 06-29-2007, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by goldenley

nice, I drive a 2000 Honda Accord SE 4dr!

I'm new to this stuff, and I've done some research into putting a basic mini-ITX system in my car. While I'm pretty handy with electronics, I'm a complete idiot when it comes to car stuff. I bought a Chilton book which is helpful for some car things. My main question I've hit right now is power wiring. Is there an auxillary power harness somewhere I can easily hook into to power the system? Am I going to have to take apart the dash to run a new fused power wire?

My plan is to build a simple mp3 system that can be easily upgraded/expanded later (DVD, OBDII, GPS, etc...). I'm thinking a VoomPC encolsure with a M1-ATX PS somewhere near me (probably mounted with velcro). I don't want to mess with the stock tape/CD stereo that takes up both DIN slots. I'll run audio through a digital tape thingy or a USB FM xmitter. I want the enclosure out of sight and the LCD easily removeable and stored out of sight. (actually haven't thought much about the LCD since it's not strictly necessary for an mp3 system).

Running the cable is very easy and traight forward.
I use 8GA wire. A littel over kill for the job as it only use to power the PC, but what the hell, it only cost 30 cents/ft and I need only 12 ft.

- Just make an inline fuse that is about 10" to a foot from the battery.
- After the fulse, run the cable along the passenger side fender to the front of the firewall and cross over to the driver side (ok this is for a LHD car

)
- Use a small screw driver and punch a hole on the main harness rubber boot to inside the cabin. Although the car is automatic, I can't find a pre-drill hole (usually for clutch master cylinder hole) on this car. May be I overlook?
- use some (very little) vaseline or motor oil and rub the cable as a lubicant to make it easier to push the cable thru the hole you just punch on the boot. I use vaseline. Wipe it clean after you pull the cable all the way thru. I use babywipe to clean it as I have a bunch of them

.
Route the cable along the driver side to under the driver seat (that is where the PC is) or all the way back to the trunk if you want your back there.

If you want to run the cable on the passenger side, look around the engine bay on that side for a predrill hole and use it instead of punch a hole on a rubber boot. Make sure you use a goomet to protect the cable.
Also, use some wire loom to protect the cable a long the run.

Do it once and do it right. Run the cable is the only way to power the system right and doesn't interfere with other components/devices of the car especially if you aren't comfortable working with car. Remove the negative battery terminal and go have a drink before start working on it. Just make sure that you aren't set off the airbag. Well, I never remove the battery on when I did it as I know what I do when it come to car, but I did remove the SRS/air bag fuse

cuz you never know what you accidentally do/touch.

**goldenley** · 06-29-2007, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Running the cable is very easy and traight forward.

- Just make an inline fuse that is about 10" to a foot from the battery.

Is this a physical connection to the battery terminal, or can I make this in the fuse box under the hood?

Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Remove the negative battery terminal and go have a drink before start working on it. Just make sure that you aren't set off the airbag. Well, I never remove the battery on when I did it as I know what I do when it come to car, but I did remove the SRS/air bag fuse

cuz you never know what you accidentally do/touch.

I've seen this warning a few times in the Chilton book. I think I'll play it safe and disconnect the ground.

Also, any suggestions on grounding? I know anything connected to the frame should work, but I'm curious what most people do for this.

Thanks for the reply. This is definitely encouraging and it seems like this is a doable project. I may actually buy a barebones system from mp3car.com to support the forums. It seems like a better deal than what mini-box.com was offering.

Thanks,
James

**MatrixPC** · 06-29-2007, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by goldenley

Is this a physical connection to the battery terminal, or can I make this in the fuse box under the hood?

Easier to connect directly from the battery + terminal. Just use a ring connector.

I've seen this warning a few times in the Chilton book. I think I'll play it safe and disconnect the ground.

Also, any suggestions on grounding? I know anything connected to the frame should work, but I'm curious what most people do for this.

Thanks for the reply. This is definitely encouraging and it seems like this is a doable project. I may actually buy a barebones system from mp3car.com to support the forums. It seems like a better deal than what mini-box.com was offering.

I get the ground from the handbrake bolt. Just pull the cup holder up to access to that bolt. No scrapping paint needed.