Size and Mounting Questions

Katya · 06-02-2004, 11:07 AM

Hi,

After having my car stereo stolen last month, I've decided to stop playing w/ the idea and just build a carputer. I've got a 2003 Mazda Protege5 w/ a doubledin space. I'm planning on using a 7" Lilliput screen, Panasonic CW-8123 DVD/CD-RW Drive, Opus 90W (probably) and I'm playing w/ using a Travla C134 case.

My question is this. I believe my space dimensions are ~7.5 x 4.2 x 7. I'm trying to keep everything in the dash, if possible. Does anyone know if the computer will fit behind the screen and then mount the DVD/CD-RW below the screen? I've got another bezel to play w/, so I can bondo and cut into that as needed. Also, if there isn't enough space just in the head unit space, how about if I take over the HVAC space as well? I can control that using the carputer, if necessary.

Thanks for your help

Here is a visual, if that will help.

acura cl · 06-02-2004, 12:55 PM

that is a great space to start with.

i wish my bezel was like that.

i have to make on from scratch because the platic surrounding the radio is all one piece.

lgagno1 · 06-03-2004, 12:20 PM

I'm building my carputer for my protege5 as well. I've measured, and I'm pretty sure that with my setup (ITX board, full-size hard drive, opus 90w), that it won't fit behind the screen. Personally, I'd rather have my carputer attached to mine back seat anyways. I would measure to see if your setup would fit though.

As for mounting the screen, it fits nearly perfect in the double DIN space, just a little cutting necessary. Here is an example of one that has been molded into the dash. (I think the screen is a xenarc, but nearly the same size) http://www.mazda3online.com/images/jaisai.jpg

Katya · 06-03-2004, 01:14 PM

Actually, I've thought some more and I think I might go without a case or a custom case. I'm probably going to go w/ the VIA EPIA-M10000 board and laptop hard drive. I'm trying to keep everything as small as possible. Possibly skip the Opus too if I can. I'm not concerned too much about the screen size because I do have an extra bezel to play w/, but rather fitting everything behind it. I'm going to try and get some exact measurements this weekend and compare those to what I want to fit in there.

I use my back seats and my hatch quite a bit, so I don't want to give those up. Also, I autocross, so I don't want to have to remove it for that. I want to see how sleek I can make it. No mouse, unless I end up getting a GPS mouse and I don't plan to use a keyboard either. I'll probably stick a USB hub in the glove compartment and attach a card reader to it, but that's all that I want to have outside of the dash. I want it to look sort of stock, and not easily removed.

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