Project Turtle: 1993 Toyota Tercel/56K=FAIL

freeflashstuff · 01-12-2009, 10:06 PM

Well, my carPC stuff got off to an extremely rough start. First, I didn't get the car I wanted, so the screen I had purchased in advance... It was too big! I custom-made a new one that fit perfectly, and I pulled a dummy and left it on my dash. I live in NM, and the sun's not exactly friendly to plastic and electronics... Needless to say, that didn't last long.

First, my setup.(Updated 7-22-09)

Intel D945GCLF mATX motherboard
Windows XP Pro SP3-with EWF/HORM
Intel Atom 1.6Ghz
1GB RAM
16GB CF (System disk)
32GB CF (Music/Videos disk)
Opus 120 DC/DC PSU
Rosewill RNX-G1W with a roof mount antenna
Generic GPS ($20 on eBay)
XMPCR
Centrafuse
Sony CDX-GT320(headunit)
1000W inverter for whatever
200W VR3 Amplifier
2 8" Pyramid Subwoofers
2x Alpine Type S(front speakers)
2x Alpine Type R(rear speakers/blew one...

)

At one point, I had an XM Direct box hooked up, but it got fried in my experimentation, along with the only true serial port on the motherboard. As a result, I started hunting an XMPCR, even though I knew they were few and far between. I managed to find one on MyRadioStore.com for $60. Considering the fact that my Sony headunit is XM-Ready, I tried yet another XM Direct box bundled with the Sony adapter kit. It didn't work either. So, I got the XMPCR. BEST INVESTMENT EVER! Got it hooked up and integrated into RR(Digital FX 4.0; best skin ever!). EDIT: Then I swithced to Centrafuse because I didn't have the time to mess with Road(Ride)Runner

Since my first post in this thread, I have purchased a Lilliput EBY701 that is integrated into my dash now. (see post #105)

Added LED floor lights and reset button with indicator LEDs. See post here.

LED tail lights with electronic flasher here.

Everything running smoothly, pre-2nd HD death...

and shiny Turtle here.

Here, here and here are pix from the fabrication of the bezel.

I also have made changes from the cardboard box below, to a case that I got from rdoltz.(Thanks man!) Also for all of the electrical help.
Ozzy71 I also owe thanks to him as well.
I also owe HiJackZX1 some thanks for selling me the Ground Loop Isolator and the SSD, along with all of the tips.

Other changes are in the works. Stay tuned!!!

freeflashstuff · 01-12-2009, 10:35 PM

Here is a picture of the Tercel(Turtle).

Here is a picture of the box I have the PC in in my trunk.
Will eventually be replaced with an actual case or hidden under the carpet in my trunk.

My Sony headunit with the connection to the carPC in the AUX

rdholtz · 01-12-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

Here is a picture of the box I have the PC in in my trunk.

A corrugated PC case: support and insulation in one product.

Kidding aside, that's an ingenious, low-cost way to test and layout to determine what shape and size you want your case. And it could actually be the final product: paint it with some fiberglass resin, and it would lock into the shape you want . . . you could add some glass fiber for strength, but I'd bet the resin-impregnated corrugations would make the resulting product quite strong.

Very interesting.

freeflashstuff · 01-13-2009, 12:06 AM

I'm planning on getting a voom case or just hiding that. I'm stripping it all out while I go on a weekender. When I put it all back in, I'm going to rewire all of my power cables and fix some grounding issues in my capacitor and install my distribution block.

freeflashstuff · 01-13-2009, 07:26 PM

Well, I took the carPC out today so I can run Windows Updates and update my music/video library. LOL I also installed a Linksys NSLU2 with a 250GB HD set up as a network share to further simplify future library updates.

freeflashstuff · 01-14-2009, 12:13 AM

I'm thinking about getting this case to put the electronics into. What do you think?

rdholtz · 01-14-2009, 07:50 AM

While that case is inexpensive, it still runs a 120/240V power supply. You wind up buying an inverter, too, and they're expensive to operate, or you go to a DC-DC power supply.

And cheap often = unreliable.

How about using a Morex Cubid Mini-ITX case? There are several models. Although the upfront cost is greater, they're built to do what you want.

Right now, there are used Morex Cubid 2699 cases on eBay for $45 delivered -- with a built-in 60W DC-DC power supply.

freeflashstuff · 01-14-2009, 05:39 PM

The thing is, all together, my devices draw almost 300W because of my USB and PCI devices. I was going to get an OPUS, but I got my inverter for $50 on ebay, and the AC PSU(400W) was given to me. So, this method was a heck of a lot cheaper. I'm just working out the timing bugs in my uSDC so ity doesn't stay on for 30min and run my battery down. I got it set to 5min, and the low voltage to 11VDC. The inverter alone will shut off at 10VDC. Now I just need to either fiberglass this case or get a REAL case like the Morex or the one I linked to. Now I just need to get some $$$....

rdholtz · 01-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Money's an issue for almost all of us. For me, the best fun is in trying to break some new ground.

I still think it would be very interesting to produce a corrugated cardboard box the size and shape you want, and resin-impregnate it for your case. I don't know how strong it would be, but it certainly seems off the top of my head that it would be pretty acceptable. Perhaps you'd need to add a fiberglass layer for additional strength. You could build a separate resin-impregnated cardboard lid to cover it.

Even with the cost of resin and some glass mat, it would be relatively inexpensive. Yes, it'd be messy while you're building it, and I'm sure problems would present themselves. Sounds like a fun adventure, to me.

In the end, you'd have a real case the exact size and shape you want, for low cost. And you'd have bragging rights, too.

freeflashstuff · 01-14-2009, 08:01 PM

I've got Bondo, would that work? I'm gonna assume that I'll need a lot more than I've got, though, because I've only got a kit for dings and scratches. If you'll give me a link to what I would need, I'll consider that idea ONLY because I think it'll be a challenge and because I have a s*!tload of carboard boxes here at home. LOL

rdholtz · 01-14-2009, 09:38 PM

No, don't use Bondo. Even the kind that has fiber in it is still pretty lousy stuff. It's really only meant to give a smooth finish, not add strength to a part. For anything structural, Bondo is a dirty word.

The best advice on fiberglass would come from a couple of threads in the Fabrication forum. There's a whole "sticky" thread called Fiberglassing tips, a wealth of information in Starting fiberglass sub box, and some tips in Fiberglass questions.

Nexson is a master of resin and glass fiber; he can probably advise you far better than I can. Check his threads out -- he lists materials a couple of places, as I remember.

I only have a little experience with fiberglass. I commented on your project because it sounds like a neat experiment to replace the glass fiber with paper fiber. I'm sure the paper fiber wouldn't be as strong, so a layer of glass might be needed, but we won't know without trying.

Look, "Formica" and mica products are just paper and resin with some coloring under the top layer. But mica products are manufactured in a very controlled process using pressure and heat, so the resulting product is compressed and quite hard.

I'd even like to try this myself, but I'm in the middle of a couple of other projects. Maybe later on . . . I hope it comes out great. If you choose another path, I may have to give this a shot myself some time, but it'll be a while.

I'd start by painting the inside of the box with resin -- really soaking it so it gets through to the corrugations as well. We'd have to experiment to see if the box needs support while it's curing. Once the inside cures, it should be self-supporting. Then I'd paint the outside, again soaking it pretty well. The really interesting part will be discovering how much crush strength there is when the box is cured. It may take an extra coat to make the surfaces smooth, and then you could leave it as is for an interesting look, or sand and paint.

It's fun to be a pioneer, but there's always the risk of failure. We need to remember that a lot of the pioneers ended up with arrows in their backs. Luckily, there's always the risk of success, too. And success is some very tasty stuff.

freeflashstuff · 01-14-2009, 10:21 PM

I had a buddy of mine tell me pretty much the same when I suggested the idea to him at church earlier this evening... He suggested fabing a box out of plywood sheets and then painting it to match the Tercel, which sounds like an easier way out, considering fiberglassing is an extreme time consuming task, but I think experimenting on some of the many, MANY boxes I have to find the right mix of resin and fiber, then if that fails, use the wood. Granted, that is a big money investment. I may post in one of Nexson's threads and see what he suggests. I think I'm gonna make a template for my box, just in case something happens in this whole indecisive state of my mind... LOL I'll fill in the blanks tomorrow in networking probably. About 9 AM Mountain time for me, IDK for everyone else, I took the ASVAB today, and my mind is FRIED!

Posted from my iPhone

rdholtz · 01-14-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

I took the ASVAB today, and my mind is FRIED!

So you're looking at joining the military? What branch? Do you have any specialty in mind, or are you going to wait and let them make suggestions based on your test scores?

freeflashstuff · 01-14-2009, 10:59 PM

Yes and no. I took it as a kinda career placement thing, but depending on the results, I may consider it. What about you? Have you been in the Military?

rdholtz · 01-14-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

Yes and no. I took it as a kinda career placement thing, but depending on the results, I may consider it. What about you? Have you been in the Military?

Yes, a long time ago. I went into the Army in 1968. I was in the Chemical Corps stateside, and then went to Vietnam in the Engineers. In retrospect, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, but I'd rather not do it again. Still, most of my friends are vets, and I don't think there's a better group around; it's a brotherhood.

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