Thread: McFly's Car-PC on Opel/Vauxhall Astra G/Mk4

Dave,
I've not yet installed the hazard light switch. However, it will be fitted above the steering wheel, on the steering column's cover. I'm now looking for a smaller switch, preferrably circular or triangular shaped and backlit.

I also finished the button panel fabrication, I modified the plastic cover below the ashtray, adding power button, state leds, usb connectors and the lcd's buttons. I'm far too lazy though, to upload some pics. But some day soon...

Originally Posted by mcfly

I also finished the button panel fabrication, I modified the plastic cover below the ashtray, adding power button, state leds, usb connectors and the lcd's buttons. I'm far too lazy though, to upload some pics. But some day soon...

I'd really like to see some pics of this. I already have my state lights above the ciggy lighter but want to fabricate a couple of usb ports either where you have or in the ash tray itself (I favour where you have!)

Still thinking about hazard location. I may go to the scrappies to find a suitable alternative hazard switch to mount on the dash next to steering column similar to sovicka but on the vertical face (where a choke would have been in the old days!).......

Thanks again,
Dave

Here you go: power, lcd buttons, status lights, usb, audio jack under the ashtray.

Mock-up - the buttonholes in the left were donated by a multimedia keyboard, the power button by a Dell computer case, and the usb and audio jack panel by a computer case's front panel:


The cover below the ashtray, butchered:


Everything glued in position:


Fiberglass putty:


Sanded:


Sprayed:


All the buttons, leds, connectors mounted:


By sheer luck, running the status leds' signals to the front needed exactly 8 wires. This meant using a UTP cable, with RJ45 connectors at both the front and the back end, for easy disassembly.

Soldering wires under microscope (for comparison, led2 is only 1mm wide):


RJ45 connector with the wires soldered:


The connector glued to the laptop's case:

Nice install.
One question though.
Why didn't you move the air controls down and then you would have air vents up + original hazard warning, screen and air controls. This is what I am doing right now for a friend!

I don't like that particular setup as the screen gets too low and out of sight.

Excellent setup. Inspired me to do the same with my astra

Thanks! Can't wait to see another Astra.

Looks nice, couldn't help but notice that you primarily used bondo to fabricate your screen bezel, you know that bondo is just a filler right? It doesn't stick to plastic, just to give you the heads up, I don't think its going to be long before you start having problems with disbonding and cracking, especially if your car is out in the sun.