'05 Nissan Altima- Intel D945GCLF2D Mini-ITX in Center Console (Storage Bin Mod) - Page 5

hexxamillion · 10-10-2009, 09:56 PM

Today I disassembled my center console. Wowsers! Well I decided to size up my MOBO to get an idea on how I am going to mount it. It appears that I am going to have to completely remove the Storage Bin insert as there is not enough room with it installed. Without the insert there is soooo much room to work with.

I can't wait to start building. This week I am going to purchase a few necessary tools for my mod in addition to the power supply (which I finally decided on using the M4 ATX..) and LED backlit touch screen.

Pictures coming soon for my center console dis-assembly.

hexxamillion · 10-10-2009, 10:44 PM

Here are some pics of my center console dis-assembly.

I Hate these things:

These next few pics provide a view of how much space I'm looking at for mounting my components.
Looks good so far. Plenty to spare.

This is the Storage Bin insert that I will have to leave uninstalled to provide sufficient space.

I'll think about using this to power some type of accessory...we'll see (12v/120W Switched)

This is the front part of the floor console. This is the part I replaced the cigarette plug
with a USB plug....when I had my EEEPC mounted. The hole is where the switch was.

These last two pics are the back panel of the floor center console. You can see that a 120mm
fan fits perfect. It will have to be mounted a little lower than where it is but just to give an idea.

rdholtz · 10-11-2009, 10:48 AM

There are a couple of things I've learned the hard way:

This an experimental installation, because no one's ever done it just the way you'll do it. You may find something that changes your plan further down this road, or you may find some nifty new component you want to add. Build with enough flexibility in the plan that you can change and adapt it later.
Plan your wire routing. Know where your wires are going to go, and leave plenty of space for them. Plan for a way to access them later. If you make a hole for a wire to go through, make it big enough for the connector on the end of the wire. And make the hole big enough that you can get one of the wires -- and its connector -- out of the hole without removing all the others.
Leave space not just for your plugs on the back of the mainboard, but for your hand to get in there and attach them. Don't make it so tight you have to give blood or use tweezers to get stuff installed/uninstalled.
Plan for parts to fail. Make it so you can get in there and replace them without having to break parts you've made.
Keep a sense of humor. You're going to say "(Expletive deleted)! Why didn't I think of that?" All you can do is laugh and pass that tip on to someone else.

hexxamillion · 10-11-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rdholtz

There are a couple of things I've learned the hard way:

This an experimental installation, because no one's ever done it just the way you'll do it. You may find something that changes your plan further down this road, or you may find some nifty new component you want to add. Build with enough flexibility in the plan that you can change and adapt it later.
Plan your wire routing. Know where your wires are going to go, and leave plenty of space for them. Plan for a way to access them later. If you make a hole for a wire to go through, make it big enough for the connector on the end of the wire. And make the hole big enough that you can get one of the wires -- and its connector -- out of the hole without removing all the others.
Leave space not just for your plugs on the back of the mainboard, but for your hand to get in there and attach them. Don't make it so tight you have to give blood or use tweezers to get stuff installed/uninstalled.
Plan for parts to fail. Make it so you can get in there and replace them without having to break parts you've made.
Keep a sense of humor. You're going to say "(Expletive deleted)! Why didn't I think of that?" All you can do is laugh and pass that tip on to someone else.

I agree. Trust me this has definitely NOT been an overnight idea, and I have had to adjust a few things already. This is the case with most mobile computing projects. Different cars, different mobile computing goals, different hardware..etc.

hexxamillion · 10-13-2009, 12:04 PM

I came across this site that has some good parts for OEM work. I am actually looking for the LED power cables, but may come across some other things.

FrozenCPU.com

merkj · 10-13-2009, 03:55 PM

FrozenCPU.com is an awesome site. I got all of my sleeving and liquid cooling stuff (for my desktop) from them.

hexxamillion · 10-13-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by merkj

FrozenCPU.com is an awesome site. I got all of my sleeving and liquid cooling stuff (for my desktop) from them.

Yeah I see a few accessory and components I may get from there. Definitely getting the LED switch and cable from there.

hexxamillion · 10-13-2009, 11:14 PM

So I decided to get my LCD from bybyte.com. They have the LED backlit with double din dash kit preassembled for your vehicle. I emailed them tonight requesting a combo kit for my car and they responded already stating that it will be available by Thursday. That's Service!

hexxamillion · 10-14-2009, 10:10 AM

Since my EEEPC 2G Surf just does not want to be good anymore...still issues with powering up..I am going to just start recycling out its parts. The Atheros Mini PCI Wifi card I think I am going to use on my INTEL board. I found one of these adapter cards below at a site called embeddedworks.net. At least it will put the PCI slot on my board to use. Otherwise I wasn't going to use it.

hexxamillion · 10-14-2009, 10:34 AM

Soooo...I have been thinking and thinking. Now I am wondering if I should install my PC in the front storage bin area instead...I would have to keep that bin uninstalled also.

My reason for the possible change is because that front part of the console is a breeze to remove..no drama with unscrewing stuff and easy access if I needed to make some modifications. The only thing is what about the rear storage bin, my original location? What do I do with it? It's still wasted space. Possibly I could modify for mounting other accessories or components...we shall see. It's hard to decide when I do not have the case in yet. I need the case so I can size things up more.

hexxamillion · 10-15-2009, 01:13 AM

Well alright now! I just purchased close to my last main components before I can start performing the actual modifications to my console and build my CarPC. I purchased some from Frozencpu.com and a couple from Logicsupply.com.

Here they are:

Decided to get this switch with the LED illuminated ring from Frozencpu.com. Figured I'd keep up with the whole Green theme.

Universal switch cable from Frozencpu.com for connecting the switch to the MOBO reset/power/power LED headers.

Prewired LED that I'm using for the HDD LED motherboard header. I figured that I don't need an LED for Power since the switch has one on it already. The one I purchased will be a Green LED.

120mm Washable Fan Filter from Frozencpu.com.

M350 Universal Mini-ITX Case from LogicSupply.com

M4-ATX Automotive DC-DC Power Supply, 250 W from LogicSupply (mini-box was on forever backorder). I read bugbytes thread covering his review of this product. I was a little hesitant but realized that he had been issued it while it was still fresh, new and buggy. It seems it has come a long way now. Mini-box has the USB controller software for download now and others in the MP3Car forums seem to like it (at least the ones I read about).

That about covers it for now. The last two main components I need are the LED backlit touchscreen and the USB CarPC Amp. The AM/FM radio module I can do without for now. I can't remember the last time I listened to the radio. All my music is either MP3 or internet streaming.

hexxamillion · 10-15-2009, 06:44 AM

I mentioned this a few posts ago but I think I may really change the mount location to the front lower console instead of the back. I just think that in the long run it will be less dramatic if I needed to perform any upgrades/mods, etc. It's less hassle to remove the cover also, no screws involved. I will know more once I have the M350 case delivered..then I can really start sizing stuff up.

hexxamillion · 10-15-2009, 10:17 AM

Well I took apart my EEEPC and removed the Wifi card. I verified that it is a PCI Express Minicard so I am going to need a PCI Express Mini to PCI adapter....have fun finding one of those..

I had to also desolder the Wifi cabling above the LCD.

hexxamillion · 10-15-2009, 01:59 PM

It is just too crazy trying to locate a Mini PCIe to PCI adapter. You normally or atleast I could only come across PCIe to PCI and some other variants. I started to think of other data connections that could be adapted to use the EEEPC Atheros mini pcie Wifif card. How about Mini PCIe to USB? And VOILA! So here is a cradle type adapter that may work. I will not get it from this site but at least it starts some brainstorming or ideas on how I can connect it.

http://www.ceedtec.com/usb-mini-pci-...rd-cradle.html

hexxamillion · 10-15-2009, 08:08 PM

Woohoo! My components were shipped today so I should be able to start the actual building and modding early to mid next week. I can't wait.

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