ProJect Driver!!!

**chris350** · 08-11-2009, 08:49 PM

So, after about a year of planning/delaying/collecting parts, I finally bit the bullet and decided to complete this project I dubbed "Driver". Why driver you may ask...its just stupid...my friends just bum of me for a ride here and there and they gave me the nick name driver...any who.

I started to research this project since last year. After considering the many options I wanted for a carPC set up, i tried for the simplest one of all.
I'm using the following:
for the pc, its a VIA Artigo kit. 1GHZ processor and 1 GB ram with an 80GB HD

for power I'm using a M2-ATX. I was going to get an M3 but I heard numerous problems with it so I went with the M2. Only problem is that it wont fit in a artigo kit case..more on that later.

as for the LCD..the usual the 2009 version of the Lilliput 629 GL

Software/Frontend is centrafuse 2.0

Im using an amplified set up..no head unit. My car pc will be my only music source.

there is a radio..Visteon HD unit...not going to connect it for now
and a usb slim cd rom....

The car is a 2006 Nissan Maxima. I had it since 2007. The stock unit is ok, non-bose.
Anyways thats being yanked out.

I had Brian from Nexion creations make me a custom bezel..I didnt feel like I had the talent to make the damn thing. Again, I wanted this as simple looking as possible and close to stock looking as possible...

on the the pictures.

Starting things out...construction time.

Well the M2-ATX compared to an artigo kit...well just look...I had to make my own case for everything. I tried different casings..like an old radio shell and a shell for a very small home amplifier...didnt work..so I had to make my own custom box..out of plexi-glass:

another shot

another:

here is one for size reference:

front:

side:

here is most of the stuff assembled:
(in the back you see an ATX PSU that I was using to test every thing out)

Here is one of the amps I'm putting in MTX 4004:

working on it for a flush looking fit

Here is the screen mounted on the bezel:

]

here it is mounted on the dash:

another angle:

**chris350** · 08-11-2009, 08:55 PM

I would of had everything completed today but the tools that I needed..namely a 10 socket and 12 socket to removed the passenger seat..the tools were in my dads car...blahhh. Im placing the carpc under the passenger seat. All the necessary wiring is already in place. I just got to connect it up and it should be fine.

The open space in the cubby hole at the bottom of the last picture...I have to figure something out of that. The cubby thing is remove able from the stock bezel but it doesnt fit due to the lilliput houseing takes up about 1/4 inch that the cubby needs to secure in place...might have to call on the mighty dremel to the rescue...

Hope you guys enjoy and any opinions and questions are welcomed.

**chris350** · 08-12-2009, 04:08 PM

is it ok to use the 12+ from the radio harness to power the car pc...since it power requirements are low....

**Nexson** · 08-12-2009, 10:36 PM

WOW, I got to bump this! It looks great!, The match on the color is pretty good as well!

I am glad i got the paint custom mixed

Looks like you got the system all down pat, I am liking what I am seeing, can't wait to see it powered up!

**2k1Toaster** · 08-12-2009, 10:38 PM

Looks great

**chris350** · 08-12-2009, 11:17 PM

thanks everyone. I will be posting more pictures of the completed system soon. most likely over the weekend is when I will finish. I have all the items, just not the time...and some tools..lol..

**chris350** · 08-12-2009, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Looks great

Im going to need one of your fusion brains soon because my steering wheel controls are gonna be a waste of space now...
i figured out my car is the 2 resistive type of wires...it should be straight forward...
my question is...when i connect it to the computer via usb..am i gonna have to come up with some crazy code to make it work or will i do it through your MDX software?

**chris350** · 08-17-2009, 06:56 PM

just a small update...
I got everything wired up and I can tell you that im breathing a sigh of relief because I did not get that damn ground loop noise. the audio is crisp and clear.
The computer fires up nicely and quickly from hibernate. Centrafuse is running as my shell and that piece of software was well worth it to me.

Navigation works great. only thing is that the gps takes a moment to be recognize by centrafuse..not a big deal.

i will be shooting a demo video tonight in the dark so you can see the car pc in action.

pictures of in the install to follow.

**Lankin** · 08-20-2009, 10:49 AM

Glad you have no noise! I wish I could say the same. I have a very very small alternator whine when i connect the aux cables to my amps. I can kill it completely using a GLI but I hate putting a bandaid on the problem. I am thinking I am getting the noise because I am using a pci sound car that is right next to my m2-atx power supply.

Are you using an internal sound car or an external sound card? and how good are you aux wires?

Oh and the install looks really great. I love the case.

**chris350** · 10-05-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Lankin

Glad you have no noise! I wish I could say the same. I have a very very small alternator whine when i connect the aux cables to my amps. I can kill it completely using a GLI but I hate putting a bandaid on the problem. I am thinking I am getting the noise because I am using a pci sound car that is right next to my m2-atx power supply.

Are you using an internal sound car or an external sound card? and how good are you aux wires?

Oh and the install looks really great. I love the case.

just to update. I do have a small, very low alternator whine but its not that noticable..
only if you really listen for it. other wise....its not there.