93 Nissan Sentra with EEE as Car PC

Andr3w · 05-11-2009, 09:54 PM

I recently installed a car pc in my Nissan ’93 Sentra. It is my first attempt, but after countless hours, the result is satisfying. I already had an EEE 701 with a touch screen mod and was using it as GPS navigation which worked well. The next logical step to me was to install it into the car, to make it one unit. I took out the ashtray and old head unit and began to fabricate the bezel. Because I was using the OEM screen, I removed the hinges so I could rotate the motherboard to fit in dash. I am using the MicroShutdown Controller, uSDC20D to turn the computer on and off. For power, I am using a 75watt inverter. A cheap amp located in the trunk provides the audio. I did use a FM Transmitter but that only lasted a day. I am using RoadRunner with the Digital FX skin which suits my needs. iGuidance provides the navigational support. Because the EEE only has 4gbs of space because of the SSD, I am using a 8gb SD card to hold my music and other files. I have been using this system for about 4 weeks now and am loving it. Futures addons would be a remote, get the wireless working, and maybe an fusion brain.

The Specs of the EEE 701b:
- 7” inch touch screen (800 x 480)
- 900mhz Celeron Proc
- 512 mbs of RAM
- Onboard Realtek Audio
- 4 GB SDD + 8 GB SD Card

Some Pics:

My Car on a road Trip.

Building the Bezel.

Testing the Bezel.

All working.

GPS Nav Screen.

- Andr3w

da_glu · 05-12-2009, 06:24 PM

slick install!

and i LOVE the red!

=D

jpinkerton · 05-12-2009, 08:31 PM

Very nice! Is it hard to hit the touchscreen or read it at that angle?

Andr3w · 05-12-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jpinkerton

Very nice! Is it hard to hit the touchscreen or read it at that angle?

Actually, I can reach the touchscreen fine. I can rest my hand on the gear selector and push almost any button. The screen is hard to read on a sunny day from that angle. I should have tilted it back some. I used red because I had some and didn't feel finding black. It turned out great.

-Andr3w

asplodzor · 06-16-2009, 05:16 PM

What OS are you using for this? I'm not too familiar with Roadrunner yet, but I was under the impression that it only worked with XP. Also, what are you using for a gps receiver? Awesome mod, I've actually been thinking about doing the same thing for a while now, myself. It just seems logical because of how cheap all the hardware is when purchased in a little netbook package.

Andr3w · 06-17-2009, 12:45 AM

I am using Windows XP, but ride runner works in vista as well. As for the gps receiver, it is from Microsoft Trips and Streets GPS bundle. It works fine with IGuidance.

Dexamenus · 06-17-2009, 07:37 AM

looks good man

nice first pic as well!

Andr3w · 06-19-2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks, I went to the Air Force Museum in Daiton, Ohio. They had some planes outside so I took some pictures with my car next to them.

Xygar · 07-06-2009, 12:09 PM

It looks good. Why did you go with an inverter instead of a DC/DC power supply? It seems like you must have done some work to get the startup/shutdown controller working so why not go all the way

.

I really like the idea of using the eeepc, makes for a really clean install, though I'm not sure I would've gone with the red

Jaapio · 07-08-2009, 04:34 PM

May I ask what you used to make the bezel?

Andr3w · 07-09-2009, 01:30 AM

Thanks, I used the inverter because I had one, it was easy, and I was using a laptop. I probably would go DC/DC if I was using a regular computer. The startup/shutdown controller was actually easy to wire in.

I went with red because I have red wipers and the red paint. As of now, I would have liked black to match so it wouldn't stick out so much, but am too lazy to paint it.

Xygar · 07-09-2009, 01:40 AM

I'm certainly not saying the red wasn't done well, or that it doesn't look good. Just that it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the interior. I'm a fan of the OEM look, nothing too flashy for me

.

asplodzor · 07-09-2009, 12:51 PM

If you ever pull the computer out for any reason, can you take pictures of the back of it, or specifically, how you mounted the laptop with the screen reversed? Thanks!

Andr3w · 07-12-2009, 01:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Xygar

I'm certainly not saying the red wasn't done well, or that it doesn't look good. Just that it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the interior. I'm a fan of the OEM look, nothing too flashy for me

.

I have been thinking about painting it black to match but havn't yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by asplodzor

If you ever pull the computer out for any reason, can you take pictures of the back of it, or specifically, how you mounted the laptop with the screen reversed? Thanks!

I have a shelf inside where the laptop sits. The lcd cable just reaches. I would take some pictures, but am away working for a bit.