Thread: Jeremy's Aerio SX Car Computer with SIRIUS, XM & GPS!

So where do we begin? My car! A 2004 Suzuki Aerio SX! 5 speed, tinted windows and power everything! The stock stereo has 7 speakers and an in dash 6 disc cd changer. Thanks to all the guys at Aerio Style for all the great info on my car!


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/8.jpg


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/3.jpg

Onto the computer-


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/6.jpg

ASUS microATX motherboard
Intel Pentium 4 Prescott 2.8ghz Processor
1G PC3200 CAS2.5 RAM
60G 7200RPM 8M Laptop Drive
D Link 108Mbps 802.11g PCI Network card
OPUS 150W ATX Power Supply
OPUS 90W 5v/12v Power Supply

I had it put into a custom built steal case my local welder made for me. The case fits nicely under the passenger's side seat and the top is made of 1/4 inch Lexan I had laying around so I can see the status LED's inside.

Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/12.jpg


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/4.jpg

T-View 7 Inch VGA Touch Screen
2 USB Hubs
Slot Load DVD+R/DVD-R Laptop Drive in USB enclosure (mounted under the dash)
Alpine SIRIUS Connect Radio w/Timetrax USB Adapter
XMPCR
HAiCOM USB GPS Reciever (Model HI-204S)
Hawking 6DBi Wifi Antennas! (2, one for the PCI Wifi Card, one for the access point)
D Link 108mbps Wireless router (acting as an access point.) connected via cat 5 to the computer.

Power is being supplied by an Optima Yellow Top Deep Cycle Battery which is connected to the car's main power by an 80Amp relay which engages when the car is on and disconnects when the car is off. This allows my carpc to run off the second battery while the car is turned off!

As an added Bonus, I had the guys at Color Match Antenna paint both the XM & SIRIUS Antennas and my GPS Adapter to match my car! Especially with the GPS being blue.




Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/5.jpg


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/13.jpg

Great Job Guys!


Installation

The Installation was a pain, the hardest part though was to mount the LCD without damanging the dash by drilling holes or altering anything. I did it by mounting a home made bracket to the inside top of the Radio housing. You'll also notice the USB hub for the front of the car for the touchscreen, USB DVD+R/-R drive and I was thinking of putting a USB port on the dash.


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/7.jpg

I think the LCD mount is VERY clean and I ran the wires out the vent!

Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/10.jpg

I also put an RF wireless keyboard with built in track ball in the car. I glued clips to the back to allow me to clip it to the visor or on the pocket on the back of the passenger's side seat. (I used JB Weld, but you have to drill a hole in the back of the keyboard case and get the JB weld to go into the hold because it won't just stick to the back of the keyboard.)


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/11.jpg

I'm also going to be adding an RF remote to control the computer. It's a simple setup, one button will be for power, another for reset and two others left open for later add ons. This will also allow me to start up the computer from inside the house.

The Software

The software running the car PC is my own creation. I'm using Map Monkey and the Destinator maps for GPS! It's great! I get turn by turn directions and love the ease of use! Plus it embeds nicely into my own .net application.

The SIRIUS Radios are being controlled by my own software (I have written a .NET DLL to control the SIRIUS Gen 2.5 radios). The XM stuff isn't written yet but should be simple because the specs were published.

Yes, the SIRIUS Radio is running on an Apline SIRIUS Connect Radio with a USB adapter my friends over at Time Trax let me play with! It sure beats my first interface!

I plan on adding MP3 support and playlist support using Windows Media Player as well.

You'll also notice my preset buttons have stream logos on them. Each button can be set up to be an XM or SIRIUS channel or be a MP3 playlist!


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/1.jpg


Larger Image: http://www.itsonsirius.com/carpc/2.jpg

Here is a close up of the software

Conclusion

I am very excited to have a simple single interface for music and satellite radio! There is alot more work to be done on the software but over all, I'm really happy with everything so far!

I would like to also give a special thanks to my wife Jamie for being patient with me and all my little project! (and thanks to the makers of The Sims for occupying her while I work )

You should really get those things out of the tire well and clean up your home desk.. my god i could loose a monitor in there

I like the rest.

damn nice install, damn nice description, damn small-but-large-looking car, DAMN, DAMN, DAMN.

This setup gives some homework to do for others. (***** i have to do something now...)

Cheers.

Originally Posted by cdm

You should really get those things out of the tire well and clean up your home desk.. my god i could loose a monitor in there

No it wouldnt be lost. It would wind up somewhere on a shelf hooked up to something.

But seriously thats a nice install. Also, nice writup, very explanitory.

I don't understand the tire well stuff, I can remove the battery and everything in a couple minutes if I have to without any tools. And the entire electrical system contains a number of fuses to make electrical disconnection a snap, including a fuse within inches of each battery.