2003 Durango SLT / Project HiJackZX1 CFSC / 56K= D@mn this $h!+ is gonna load slow! - Page 10

HiJackZX1 · 01-14-2009, 03:30 PM

Yesterday I did a test fitting of my center console with the screen ad-on. It didn't work out at all. I was unable to collapse the back seats. Out of frustration I ripped the screen holder off. Thankfully I didn't break the console itself. I then started to play with the idea of a floating screen. I noticed that when the screen is attached to the console it is way too low. I did several tests and they resulted in my having to reach really low. I am 5'10 with long arms and it was a b!+ch to reach, so I can imagine a short armed person would really be uncomfortable. The arm rest that goes to the console is a original part of the car, I did it to try to stay OEM looking. The piece is fairly large and it is very reachable from the rear seat. So I have made a special frame so that it attaches to the arm rest. Only challenge is that when the arm rest is opened, the screen also has to be able to slide into the back of the console like a part of the arm rest does. I'm going to work on it today.

HiJackZX1 · 01-16-2009, 08:20 PM

I decided to work on the console. I changed my mind yet again, but since I made it easy to take apart, I simply changed the parts that i wanted to change. I wanted the front of it to look like the front original console, so it matches. In the front are 2 bins to hols various things. I have done the same thing, one was for storage and one is for ventilation. Also the cupholders were moved to the left side a bit and the USB hub put on the side of that. For the rear screen, I made it come out of the arm rest part via a metal arm. When I open the console the screen moves with the arm rest. Pics below.

The rear screen has been removed. New pillar screens may be added to give 3rd row control.

HiJackZX1 · 01-18-2009, 10:16 PM

Well here it is, the Phantomile HiJack, which I am basing my truck on. My car will have the exact colors and logos on them. The only exceptions will be logos like CentraFuse. I also want to add Sprint, Dishnetwork and others, but only if they are willing to sponsor me. Am I crazy for making my car into a fantasy car? In case you are wondering, Phantomile is a magical land that is featured in a game called Klonoa: Door to Phantomile. I own parts 1 & 2 of these games. When I was young this game was very inspiring when it came to imagination, so I feel I should honor it.

I took these with my camera since I couldnt get the tuner card to work.

HiJackZX1 · 01-27-2009, 09:17 PM

Upgraded all wires, still had major issues, so I redid everything. Rather then have the ignition control anything, it only controls the PC. The PC now controls a relay that gives every last item power. The PC now starts up faster. What ever was wrong was really slowing down the PC during startup. I also got rid of the Sierra Aircard 595U. It has a battery that must charge and because my PC cuts power to USB, the battery dies, cant charge and eventually the device dies. I bricked 2 of them and was really pi$$ed that Sprint sold me the most awkward card in the world. They offered to take the bricked one, and sell me a newer model for $75.00 dollars. The 595U turend out to be $h!t when it came to reception. Without the antenna I get 80% signal on the new 598U. Its also smaller, and the PC doesnt suffer long startup times like the 595U. I also ordered a new BT Dongle which is compatiable with CentraFuse. I am waiting for it to come in the mail. Also ordered a new USB header one was damaged and causing a few issues. Once I get that, I will be able to install the 7.1 virtual surround sound card, and TV tuner card. Also maybe a USB mic for echo cancel. I am going to wait and see what happens with IVT and CF regarding the echo issues. Install is falling into place!

vincenttor · 01-30-2009, 12:34 PM

good to read ur log again hijack
not really much happened in de last weeks i c
well here i am redecorating my room and made some furniture thats also why
i havent been much online
also bought a new computer so many things @ the same time
but you really think its the gauge that matters, the wires i used to power my car pc are i think 8 mm2

HiJackZX1 · 01-30-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by vincenttor

good to read ur log again hijack
not really much happened in de last weeks i c
well here i am redecorating my room and made some furniture thats also why
i havent been much online
also bought a new computer so many things @ the same time
but you really think its the gauge that matters, the wires i used to power my car pc are i think 8 mm2

Alot has happened, just all of it really bad. This is what happens when your system gets to large. It is very hard to track down problems. I upgraded the 22 gauge wire going to the PC, to 10 gauge from the distro block. The PC still doesnt turn on all the time when I turn the key. It could be the ignition is not strong enough, which is fixable with a PAC TR4, or the battery is being discharged too fast by the CarpC and the alternator cannot keep up at all. Recently my TPMS device broke, so I am buying a new one, sux that I have to, but it is what it is. Currently I am having issues only with my Sprint Air Card, it does not work coming out of hibernation.... I will have to call Sprint about this.

HiJackZX1 · 02-01-2009, 12:43 PM

The 598U is having so many issues that I decided to take it back. I am going to go ahead and buy the novatell expresscard version. I also bought a USB to Expresscard adapter. I am hoping that the novatell doesnt have the stupid hibernation cr@p built into it.

HiJackZX1 · 02-08-2009, 08:23 PM

Decided to work on the center console and figure out how to mount the screen. I decided to clear my head and think with simplicity, rather then complicated. Went to Home Depot and bought a special hing that can lock into certain positions. Then did a miner mod to the screen to attach the hing to the screen, then screwed to the console. i am very happy with the out come, and I can now fold my seats down.

This idea was a epic fail. The user had to bend over to reach the screen. Killed this idea for a pillar design.

HiJackZX1 · 02-18-2009, 03:32 PM

I got my SOHO card and the USB to express card slot. The SOHO card has now eliminated all the echo in the phone solution.

I also decided to upgrade my air card to a express card version, specifically the Novatel Merlin EX720. There were so many bad reviews on this card, but good reviews on all the Sierra Cards which I tried and did not work on my PC. Signal strength was ok, but the hibernation issue was just maddening. I decided to get the Novatel and it works way better then both Sierra cards. At high speed with no external antenna, I do not buffer, maybe once every 5 minutes. With both Sierra cards I could not go high speed. Today I listened to internet radio going 70 mph and not once did it buffer. I do notice that web pages take a few seconds longer to load in a browser, but who cares, as long as the internet radio and Slingbox work flawless. I now regret getting the HDTV tuner because now Slingbox is stable. I think the main reason is that the Novatel installs itself as a ethernet card rather then a wireless card, its just more stable then Sierra in the end, no matter what the d@mn reviews say.

I fried another USB hub, my inverter went wako and burnt it out. I decided to run a line from the 5v rail, since I had to anyways for the SOHO echo cancel card. i ran it to a different hub and it seems to work. I am going to go head and go through the headache of finding a 9V 600ma cigarette lighter adapter for the Aluratek 4 port VGA splitter. I simply dont trust inverters and want them out of my setup 100%. It says that the splitter works with 9V 200ma and 9V 10ma Idle, so I should be safe if I get a 300ma adapter. The wall plug is 9V 600ma. I treid a 9V 2000ma car adapter and all i get is a green screen, so I guess its too powerful.

Im going to run a few more tests for the 5v rail connection and the MoBo and PSU compatibility. In the past the MoBo would get stuck at POST when using a line from the 5v rail. If I get the same issue, then I will get a 5V car adapter also and connect the 9V and 5V to the 12V rail for power. That way I know the power is clean. My 12V rail can handle up to 15 amps, and I dont think right now I am even using 4 amps.

WraithJ · 02-21-2009, 09:52 AM

As always i take a break from the world of CarPC's and your install gets sicker and sicker, its looking amazing cant wait to see more pics

HiJackZX1 · 02-21-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WraithJ

As always i take a break from the world of CarPC's and your install gets sicker and sicker, its looking amazing cant wait to see more pics

Yea right, my install is having so many issues, its not funny. The system is now in, and runs very stable after having electrical issues. I had 2 small inverters that were causing my system to act odd. Finally one inverter blew out its 4th hub and i decided to kill it, and replace with a Opus dc-dc device that sends out a 5v signal. the last inverter i modded with a large cooling fan so that it cant get warm. system is now unning 100%. i still have all the fabrication work to be done though. Because it is costly my install has stopped at that. I am also having a issue with the DQP that I bought to split up the cameras for the rear mirror cameras. I cant get it to default with the stupid monstable switch. It doesnt release fast enough which causes the DQP to go into this dumb zoom mode. I am also designing small foot pedals so I can change between left and right cameras.

WraithJ · 02-21-2009, 11:22 AM

Blimey thats sounds like a lot of work! Wat about small screens on the pillars by either camera(if there still mirror replacemtns like u were planning earlier)?

HiJackZX1 · 02-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WraithJ

Blimey thats sounds like a lot of work! Wat about small screens on the pillars by either camera(if there still mirror replacemtns like u were planning earlier)?

Yea im still deleting all mirrors. Its just a matter of figuring out the circuits and maybe hacking it to just start in 3 way mode when i apply power. This is were I am limited though, I have no idea about this stuff.

HiJackZX1 · 02-26-2009, 10:28 AM

I have recieved most of my equipment. I have had some set backs though. The VGA splitter for my setup turned out to be AC/AC so I had to use a inverter. The inverter must have been doing something funky because I was having issues with RAM constantly failing, which the graphics card uses. I managed to find a DC splitter that has the option to run on 9V or 5V. I am also waiting on a cable from buyextras.com and my OPUS 15W PSU, which will be for a 7 port USB hub and the new splitter. Once this is done my setup will be 100% inverter free. I am also still waiting on the 3 cameras for the car, and the USB touch controller. The seller emailed me with a tracking number for the cameras, but the seller for the USB touch controller has told me it has become lost. I was furious because i have been waiting almost 2 months. I told him to find it or replace it or I would leave negative feedback. Lets hope he comes through.

HiJackZX1 · 03-05-2009, 10:26 AM

Decided to delete the parking sensor system from my car. The new body kit I want is just 2 flawless and I dont want to mess up the look with the sensors. I am 100% sure that the new cam system will be just fine. Also I am considering adding a 4th cam to the system but it will be rarely used. When I take the car to the track, then the cam will be activated.

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