Mercedes benz w203 2005.

Djole501 · 07-24-2009, 06:50 PM

Hi all,

This is my fist post and my first carputer attempt. First of all my respect to all members of a great community and forum.

My project is based on a asus eee 701 mini laptop. First intention was to use a asus 900 but the screen didn't fit in the double din frame available for my car. The car is a mercedes benz c-series station wagon from 2005.

Hardware used:

asus eee 701 notebook
touchscreen and controller (built in hub)
avermedia avertv usb 2.0 plus (for fm mainly but has tv also)
usb gps
logitech diNovo mini keyboard
2.0 usb hub

The screen was removed from the casing and installed together with the touchscreen in the double din frame, the "gap" was filled up with epoxy and covered with leather.

The laptop casing (without screen) is installed in the gloves box and can be pulled out. The main problem was extending the lcd cable. Original wires are impossible to extend since the wires (20) are covered with a conductive layer (ground) to prevent interference. So i soldered new wires directly on the motherboard and the lcd inverter. The longer cable was picking lot of noise so it needed shielding which solved it.

Installed RideRunner with elite lite (modified and translated to serbian). Nice additional feature is installing vnc server or similar and viewing your frontend on the phone (windows mobile) but also vice versa. See pictures.

The project is still in progress and will be finished this weekend most probably, will post finished pictures if any1 is interested

.

supercarl · 07-28-2009, 06:40 PM

Would be interested in seeing final pics!

bad_luck · 07-29-2009, 03:49 AM

Wow .. Is that a sony ericsson Xperia X1, with some kind of remote desktop function?
I would REALLY want to have that program ! Got the same phone, would be really cool to be able to send commands to the pc thru it !

Xygar · 07-29-2009, 01:05 PM

I want to see what it looks like all put together!

Extending the LCD looks like it would be a pain in the arse, but should look great when you're done.

Djole501 · 07-29-2009, 01:14 PM

Here are the final pictures. Additional hardware used is a Soundblaster live usb, JBL GTO 6000 amp, condensator, rockford fosgate speakers.....
Picture of the car shouldn't be missing so...

@bad luck

Yes it's a SE xperia with custom rom. U just need to install a VNC server on your pc, i use RealVNC (free) and a viewer for your windows mobile phone. There is a free viewer available, google it

I use the touchscreen to control the front end.

MeeM · 07-30-2009, 11:29 AM

Not bad at all. The leather makes it look stock

I like, I like! It's great to see people not afraid to take apart a Mercedes for these projects (I've got a w124 230E, soon to be sold. My car PC is in my Camry though).

Xygar · 07-30-2009, 02:11 PM

It looks really nice. Well done!

HiJackZX1 · 07-30-2009, 02:17 PM

OMG, that is genius.... So you actually extended the original EEE screen? Thats cool.

What I am really interested in is what software you are using for your pocket PC. I would love to be able to control my car pc from outside the car.

Djole501 · 07-30-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

OMG, that is genius.... So you actually extended the original EEE screen? Thats cool.

What I am really interested in is what software you are using for your pocket PC. I would love to be able to control my car pc from outside the car.

Yes it's a lot of dumb work but the screen seems to be very bright in daylight. You can read in post #5 about the vnc connection but if you have more questions you can PM me.

bad_luck · 07-30-2009, 04:52 PM

ISn't VNC something like Remote administrator ? Where you can access a pc thru the internet ? In that case... You must have something like a network in your car? Or not ??

Djole501 · 07-30-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bad_luck

ISn't VNC something like Remote administrator ? Where you can access a pc thru the internet ? In that case... You must have something like a network in your car? Or not ??

Of course, i use the built in wifi adapter in the eee, removed the antennas from the case and stuck them on top of the glove box. You can get a cheap usb card for your setup if you don;t have wireless.

Djole501 · 08-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Found a good place for the on/off switch but lost the cigarette lighter which isn't a problem. The switch can be extended from the eee with 2 wires...