1984 Austin Mini Carputer Project

bobjimwilly · 06-24-2005, 02:14 PM

Ok. At last I've started my carputer project - just waiting on Lilliput 8" touchscreen monitor to arrive

but the parts I do have are:

VIA M7VBA Motherboard
AMD Sempron 2200XP
Elixir 512mb DDR
Maxtor 120gb
Liteon DVD R/RW
BU-33 USB GPS Mouse
150w 12v > 240v invertor
Conexant BT878 TV/Radio Card

I will be running Centrafuse and Radiator on Windows XP Pro.

Would say project is about 60% complete at present.

Next I will be making a new dashboard and replacing centre dial with the touchscreen. (I will be running a GPS speedo as speedo drive in gearbox is knackered so know need for big dial

)

Think I'm gonna cover new dash and top and bottom rails in black vinyl to match seats and center console but not entirely sure as yet.

Gonna place usb hub and switches to control invertor and computer in center console above radio slot. (see pic #5 below)
Gonna hopefully fill radio slot with my dvd drive so I don't have to access boot all the time but still unsure exactly how I'm gonna do that yet (see http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/hardware-development/53216-ide-dvd-drive-cabling-problem.html

A few pics of the outside of the mini:

...and the interior:

...and the boot (or trunk

)

edrex · 06-24-2005, 02:56 PM

Thats awesome!! I love those cars!! Keep us posted.

273BeLow · 06-25-2005, 09:42 AM

hey man I really suggest you go with a DC-DC supply the invertor you have looks exactly like the one I had before and between the feedback noise and battery drain it was such a pain in the arse!

bobjimwilly · 06-25-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 273BeLow

hey man I really suggest you go with a DC-DC supply the invertor you have looks exactly like the one I had before and between the feedback noise and battery drain it was such a pain in the arse!

**** does it give really back feedback through audio

Thing is I am waiting on my screen and amp so although I have tested computer works in my car but I havent tested much else!

Only thing is, with my car being an old Mini I have to make sure the power supply and computer are only powerewd when the engine is running, otherwise my battery is sure to run out of juice fast! With an invertor I can easily switch both off.

Hey, I'll give it ago but feel free to flame me if I come back on here in a couple of weeks complaining about my ****ty invertor and wanting an opus etc

273BeLow · 06-25-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bobjimwilly

**** does it give really back feedback through audio

Thing is I am waiting on my screen and amp so although I have tested computer works in my car but I havent tested much else!

Only thing is, with my car being an old Mini I have to make sure the power supply and computer are only powerewd when the engine is running, otherwise my battery is sure to run out of juice fast! With an invertor I can easily switch both off.

Hey, I'll give it ago but feel free to flame me if I come back on here in a couple of weeks complaining about my ****ty invertor and wanting an opus etc

see this only works as long as you remember to switch the invertor off.. I forgot one night and woke up to a dead battery.. the invertor is supposed to cut out before this happens too

I now use a M1-ATX DC-DC supply and this switches the PC o nand off with ignition which means no more pointing laughs from people at an on button. The DC-DC supply also switches itself off after 45 seconds from when you turn the ignition off so that your battery wont drain at all.