Full size PC if space is not a problem?

popuptoaster · 09-28-2004, 05:54 PM

Right, im new at this and it'll be my first car PC application, although i have built a fair few home PC's in my time.

I run about in a hearse so space isnt really a problem (I have 4 feet of legroom between my front and rear seats, 5 foot of rear "boot" area, lots of headroom, and large boxed in areas all down the side of the car) Its all getting refurbed and rebuilt around the PC/ICE inside.

I have been running fairly hefty ICE for years in my cars so the hearse is getting a pretty showy install, and i want to make the rear seating area, very "limo" like, with a widescreen LCD in the roof behind the front seats, a touch screen LCD in the front, possibly 2 15" LCD screens facing out of the car right at the rear of my tinted side windows so they are invisible from outside untill switched on.

I also want full dolby 5.1 for watching DVD's and the ability to add sat nav, web based traffic and weather updates, WiFi for the service stations and anything else i can think of as i go along, there will also possibly be other aplications, such as computer controlled light shows and other equipment.

My plan is to run my stereo install from a deep cycle battery (or 2!!!) mounted in the rear that has a split charging system and so isnt reliant on my vehicles main battery, because space isnt a problem, Im working on the theory that i may as well build a full size PC in one of the premodded cases and have it mounted into a side panel running from my extra battery via a DC-DC converter.

I should be able to get a much better performance per £ than if i was to build up a mini PC with the added benefits of more room to add cards and extra features, and the ability to use the PC for actuall gaming.

Are there any difficulties i do not see? Is there a way of telling the PC to hibernate when the vehicles ignition is switched all the way off? will an LCD screen function ok if it just gets its 12 volts direct from a battery rather than its transformer?

Any suggestions/comments/insults?

Bobby Digital · 09-28-2004, 06:37 PM

If you use an Opus DC-DC power supply, it has built in shutdown functions, or you can buy a shutdown controller. Opus might not support a really high power system though, although I hear they're coming out with a 300w model.

The LCD should come with a cigarette lighter adaptor thing for plugging into a car (12V). This will help regulate the power. Just cut off the lighter adaptor and wire the wires to + and -.

jimmythecow · 09-28-2004, 06:39 PM

pics please

pip · 09-28-2004, 06:51 PM

If space isn't an issue then using a full sized system will be cheaper and allow more options. Even if the box is full sized there are still power/heat constraints. Even with a full sized case I would recommend:

1) Using a mobile processor.

2) Keeping the heatsink small/light (or mounted to the case somehow) to prevent damage to the mobo.

3) Avoiding the newest power hungry video cards.

Sounds like an interesting project, keep us posted

cooky · 09-28-2004, 07:29 PM

I've got a '79 dodge clubcab. The kind with the side mount, fold down seats that'll break your back if you even think of sitting in one, and virtually no dashboard to speak of, so I've got tons of room to work with as well.

Power will be the biggest problem with your install. Most of the cars at shows that have massive audio systems and multiple screens are just show cars. Some don't even have engines anymore. I'd run the math and make sure you can power your system before you spend that much money.

Tidder · 09-28-2004, 07:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pip

1) Using a mobile processor.

2) Keeping the heatsink small/light (or mounted to the case somehow) to prevent damage to the mobo.

As far as this goes, I've been running a P4 2.0ghz desktop processor in my dash with no heat issues yet, for about a year now. I'd say stick with intel because of their themal protection. I guess the way it works is as the processor gets hotter, the mobo cuts back the cpu speed until the heat subsides.

Mount your Motherboard horizontally instead of vertical.

popuptoaster · 09-29-2004, 04:19 AM

tsparks · 09-29-2004, 05:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by popuptoaster

LMAO.. excuse the pun but I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing.. a ford hearse? i'd much rather see it as a mobile theater than a hearse.. good luck

jimmythecow · 09-29-2004, 10:32 AM

lol @ that. i want one

DriverDan · 09-30-2004, 08:49 AM

Wow! That thing is huge. The exterior looks nice. Now all you have to do is clean up the interior and you'll have one pimp ride

How do you afford gas for that? It must get 10MPG.

I suggest you go with a micro ATX MB. It's smaller than a normal board but still has AGP and PCI expansion slots. That's what I'm putting in my camper.

Nic · 09-30-2004, 09:22 AM

it needs a mattress and a mirror ball

TruckinMP3 · 09-30-2004, 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tidder

Mount your Motherboard horizontally instead of vertical.

Tidder,
Are you saying that due to the mass of the heatsink or a different reason?

The smaller or OEM intel heatsinks should not be an issue even the P4 ones. P3 and older boards it would not matter at all.

ppgt94 · 09-30-2004, 08:41 PM

That thing is slammed!

jcdillin · 09-30-2004, 09:07 PM

I love that car, that is so cool.

Spaghetti · 09-30-2004, 09:18 PM

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