Need help for a carpc in 2000 jetta

Xc0m · 07-03-2004, 10:42 PM

Hey guys and gals,

Not really too new to the concept of the CarPC. Always wanted one. Unfortunetaly, I'm only good with typing/programming a pc, not the electrical/mechanical work needed to install one

So this is why I need help. I looked at quite a few threads, but alot of stuff just went over my head. Like the Opus threads.

Anyways, this will be going in a 2000 Jetta GLS (so no climatronic). I only have the single DIN HU in there, and I'd prefer not to have an HU whatsoever. I'd be mounting the PC either in the glovebox or underneath passenger seat..or as a last resort in the trunk where my 6cd changer is currently.

Now the questions....

Without an HU, is there a way to get the sound into the speakers? I know I need an amp, but seeing as I only saw 2-3 amps, I don't know if the wiring for speakers goes into that or to the sound card inside the PC.

Will a 7 inch lilliput touchscreen fit (with some bondo'ing I guess) in the double DIN slot? I want to make it look stock, like this guy did with his Audi http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1734601.phtml . Also, I'd be using a slot DVD/CD drive in case a passenger wishes to listen to their own cd or something, don't need a burner. Anything out there that's quiet? (I heard that slim slot drives are noisy from some threads here).

My biggest concerns however are with power. Is the Opus able to turn the PC on (probably a ShuttlePC, unless someone has problems with it they'd like to mention?) with the turn of the key (and like someone said, not fizz out while engine is cranking), and turn off when the key is taken out? I'd be using WinXP so I don't think I'd need a on/off button installed on the dash, in case of freezes.

Also, I live in Montreal, Quebec....In Canada. the weather in winter can sometimes get pretty chilly (The windchill doesnt affect the temperature inside the car, right?). Without windchill it can get to -30 Celsius or so. Will that be a problem?

Can someone put up a list of what I'd need? I have my own ideas, but I'd like to hear what other people suggest and maybe a diagram or two to help me out to figure out where all the electrical stuff has to go in order to make everything work

Thanks for any help that can be sent my way

Anthony

Jailer · 07-04-2004, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Without an HU, is there a way to get the sound into the speakers? I know I need an amp, but seeing as I only saw 2-3 amps, I don't know if the wiring for speakers goes into that or to the sound card inside the PC.

The sound card will send the signal to the amplifier(s) and the amplifier(s) will feed the speakers. Generally you'll have an 1/8" stereo jack on the sound card so you'll need a 1/8" to RCA Y connector to feed the signal to the amp(s)

Quote:

Will a 7 inch Lilliput touchscreen fit (with some bondo'ing I guess) in the double DIN slot?

You should be able to mount it there without too much trouble use fiberglass and then bondo just to smooth it out.

Quote:

Also, I live in Montreal, Quebec....In Canada. the weather in winter can sometimes get pretty chilly (The windchill doesnt affect the temperature inside the car, right?). Without windchill it can get to -30 Celsius or so. Will that be a problem?

Windchill will not affect inanimate objects. You'll notice that with a -30 windchill your thermometer doesn't change and radiator doesn't freeze up. It only affects living things.

Quote:

Can someone put up a list of what I'd need? I have my own ideas, but I'd like to hear what other people suggest and maybe a diagram or two to help me out to figure out where all the electrical stuff has to go in order to make everything work

7" LCD Touch screen

Epia ITX Motherboard (If I were going to do it again, I'd use the M10000)

Power Supply of some sort (I'm using an ATX and a power inverter)

Hard Drive

DVD Drive

Memory (if You're going to use Windows XP get at least 512MB)

Keyboard and possibly a mouse (for those things you just can't do with a touchscreen)

Amplifier (your choice but I'd go with Orion if it were my vehicle)

Misc. cables to connect it all together

If your back seat is like my wife's '98 Jetta and folds down, you might consider mounting the motherboard and hard drive under there otherwise you'll probably have to mount it in the trunk. You'll notice that the Case to house the components in conspicuously absent. I wouldn't buy one, I'd build my own for it. The list above is a very basic list to get the machine up and running. You'll probably want extras like GPS navigation. I also made no mention of software since I think that's a personal choice also.

proTONEd · 07-04-2004, 08:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Xc0m

My biggest concerns however are with power. Is the Opus able to turn the PC on (probably a ShuttlePC, unless someone has problems with it they'd like to mention?) with the turn of the key (and like someone said, not fizz out while engine is cranking), and turn off when the key is taken out? I'd be using WinXP so I don't think I'd need a on/off button installed on the dash, in case of freezes.

The Opus does all that. Mainly what is does is:

- automatically switching on your pc when you turn on the ignition
- making sure that the pc survives engine cranking
- shutting down the pc after ignition off (with some delay time)
- when pc is off only providing standby power to the pc, so it won't drain your battery

For all the other options of the Opus, i'd suggest reading the owner's manual.
http://www.mp3car.com/products/DCX3_...User_Guide.pdf

migrane · 07-04-2004, 09:33 AM

I am doing a similar thing with my 03 GTI.

One thing I have to say is that if you dont mind the sound of your factory stereo stick with it. It looks good and performs excellent for most of the the regular folk.

The cd changer space in the trunk is something I have experimented with and have had limited success. It is a very cramped space. Someone on this forum was going to try to do the same thing. a

should yield some other threads.

I resorted to a carcpu.com aluminum case that I will mount in the trunk.

In-Dash monitors are the easiest to install and look stock. So in your case just take out the cubby from the top of your HU and slide an indash monitor in there and you should be fine. check out www.digitalww.com for that.

I live in southern Ontario and although here it doesnt get that cold during the winter for a computer the temperatures might still be a bit tough to handle.
I havent found a solution for that yet.

Migrane

gommino · 07-04-2004, 02:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jailer

Quote: Originally Posted by Xc0m

Also, I live in Montreal, Quebec....In Canada. the weather in winter can sometimes get pretty chilly (The windchill doesnt affect the temperature inside the car, right?). Without windchill it can get to -30 Celsius or so. Will that be a problem?

Windchill will not affect inanimate objects. You'll notice that with a -30 windchill your thermometer doesn't change and radiator doesn't freeze up. It only affects living things.

He said 'without windchill it can get to -30 Celsius'. So it maybe a problem until it's warmed up again. Check the specifications of the hardware you are using.

Rob.

Xc0m · 07-04-2004, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was looking more and more to the Shuttle Pc's www.shuttle.com . But I haven't seen one that isn't a P4 (Don't need one in a car) or has an Epia ITX MB. I guess I'll be stuck building my own little rig. How hard is it to make a case for it?

Thanks,
Anthony

proTONEd · 07-05-2004, 01:22 PM

That kinda depends on what you want. I made mine out of casing that used to hold a car starter kit or something.

I took a piece of plexiglass mounted the mobo on top and the laptop HD on the bottom. Then I mounted the plexiglass in the little casing.

Just to give you an idea how easy it can be.