2006 G35 Install - First one

froalskiner · 06-30-2006, 05:00 PM

Well, I figured that I'd introduce myself and get going on this install! I'm ready to take the AOpen Pandora plunge.

Car Specs
G35 Coupe
Sport Suspension
Premium Package
Aero Package

After reading through countless posts I've come up with the following as my shopping list.

Hardware

Aopen Pandora Here
Xenarc 700TS w G35 Housing Here
40GB HDD
Celeron M 340 1.5 ghz
Carnetix P1900 Here
512 MB Ram
Carnetix CNXP5V for Monitor Here
Aopen MiniPC plug-and-play cable kit for P1900 Here
G35 Single Din Converter Here
G35 Ashtray Insert -Not sure if I need this or not
BU-353 GPS Adapter Here
AAI-NIS2 - Still need to order...

Software

Windows XP Home
StreetDeck Here

Additional Pieces not yet Figured out
Cam for rear/front view display.

UPDATES

7/31
Well, after a couple of months worth of planning, and a good solid week of my car being torn apart, I have everything installed and working properly...

I ordered a bluetooth dongle, Wireless USB dongle, webcam, plus a couple of extra cables that I thought that I might need. I'm going to install the webcam to point to the backseat so I can see my passengers while driving. That will happen this week.

I suppose that I'll start a new thread for my completed set up!

7/24
The extra cables that I picked up from eBay didnt do the trick...got a little frustrated...so I decided to cut the main cables and use quick connectors for everything so I could remove the cables and plug the cable back into the power brick for testing. I ordered the AUX input adapter today so hopefully I'll get it in the next couple of days. They are in SoCal so it should be here in the next few days. I need to set up the switch still, so that will take extra time, but this week looks like the week for the final install...I keep forgetting to post the pics so I'll do that soon...

My boot up time is still in the 45 second range so I;m thinking about using the pulse reature of the P1900 and hook it up to the turn signals since they fire up with the alarm. Either that or the door locks since that would activate as soon as I open up my door so by the time I get in and situated, the system will be fully up and running. Either that or leave the system in standby...havent decided yet.

7/20
Borrowed a 20A bench power supply from a friends dad...and voila! Connected everything up...well, I connected the Pandora to the wall power supply, the touchscreen to the P1900 power supply, the AOpen button kit to the pandora and the P1900 to the bench supply. Turned on the power, then connected the ignition line to the power and everything powered on.

The computer powered on first, then the screen and USP hub powered on a few seconds later. FYI, the Xenarc plug fits the Pandora so I picked this up on eBay...well, it was a 4 pack designed for a cctv system, but the connections are the same. I cut off most of the lead since all I really wanted was the barrel connector with a few inches of lead wire so I wouldn't have to solder or cut my main wires. Didn't notice it before but my driver CD for the Xenarc got cracked during shipping so I had to download the drivers from Xenarc. I'll post some more pics tomorrow...

7/17
I am more of a reader of the forums than a poster so that's why i haven't been updating my worklog! Anyway, I put solderless quick connects on everything to get it tested.

I was also thinking about removing the extra cables like the extra power cable using a molex plug remover. I would rather remove the extra stuff than leave it hanging out.

I'm using some PC cord wrap that looks like chinese handcuffs. It expands as you compress it. I thought it looked better than tie-wrap.

Here is the power supply I picked up along with the digital milti-meter I'm using to test voltage

7/12
Well, I got my order in yesterday...damn UPS GROUND!!! I should have done overnight...oh well...

Took a bunch of pics and I'll post soon, but since I have a lot of the same stuff as everybody else, I'll just post the pics that are different I suppose.

First thoughts...

at first I was a bit overwhelmed after unpacking everything...with all of the hardward and wiring, but after I took each component and looked at it as different pieces of the puzzle instead of the entire package as a whole it was easier to digest.
The single din converter is a little flimsy so it bent a little during shipping but that was expected I suppse....
Damn that pandora is tiny...
The G35 700TSV screen kit looks great overall but since the two sides are only supported at the bottom they bent out easily during shipping so the screen came out when I took it out of the box fairly easily. This shouldn't be a problem once I get everything installed since it will be supported on the sides. I think I am going to make some improvements to the slide area since the movement is not as smooth as it could be. Overall a well made product.

I ended up going to Fry's to pick up some installation supplies...wire stripper, connectors, that sort of thing. I also picked up a 12v power supply so that I can bench test everything before I install it. I want to get everything totally planned out and semi-prewired before I even touch the car so I don't spend the entire weekend with it apart trying to figure out what I am doing or where I am going to place something.

I know it won't be perfect, but planning always helps right???

7/4
I'm not sure if I need to get the ashtray insert. I was thinking of getting a blank piece of sheetmetal and adding in a couple of USB ports as well as possibly a switch to reset the system if it freezes up. Can anybody tell me if the switch kit for the P1900 disables the front switch on the Pandora? I'm thinking about doing something like this in the ashtray area...

I only want a couple of USB ports and possibly a switch to reset the whole system if it freezes up on me.

7/2
Ordered Everything!

6/30
This is going to be used for GPS/NAV,mp3, movies, possibly B/T integration, internet browsing (while parked of course), Traffic, and weather. I'm not going to use this for games or anything processor intensive so I think 1.5 should be more than enough.

I haven't bought anything yet, but this is my basic list of what I'm planning on picking up. I saw another thread about using an audio mixer to play both Carputer and head unit at the same time.

I'll post pics as I start to get stuff in but I wanted to get an idea on what you all thought of this set up.

I'm sure that once I get going with it, I'll be adding new things as time goes on.

xstephenx · 07-03-2006, 11:51 PM

If you don't mind me asking, where are you finding a single din conversion for an 06? And is it the brushed aluminum look or like black abs look? I want to put navigation in mine, but I can't seem to find a single din conversion and there is not really any way to effectively remove the HU without having huge holes everywhere.

DarquePervert · 07-04-2006, 07:53 AM

He's talking about a unit that will create a single-DIN space for a headunit in the glove box. It's available in the store here: http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...roducts_id=135

Caelric · 07-06-2006, 04:06 PM

Hmm, looking good. Let me know if you have any questions. I did a carPC on my 05, which will be a bit different, but not too much so. Take a look at the links in my sig, and if that gives you any ideas, great!

Dave

froalskiner · 07-06-2006, 06:41 PM

Thanks!

froalskiner · 07-17-2006, 10:32 PM

Made some updates...

froalskiner · 07-18-2006, 07:48 PM

Ok, made a stupid mistake in my bench power supply...I picked up one that doesnt provide enough juice...it's rated at 2A x12v MAX so at most it will provide 24W from what I understand...

I'll need to get a 10A power supply to bench test my set up...or can probably find an extra ATX power supply and chop off one of the molex connectors...

avanbecelaere · 07-18-2006, 11:00 PM

Where do you plan on installing the pandora? in the trunk? was there a reason that you didnt go with the digitalwheelz case? i am researching my own install and looking for pointers and different ideas. thanks.

froalskiner · 07-19-2006, 01:23 AM

I didnt want to have to run wires all over the car or build my own set up. This was a clean option. Maybe if I do a version 2.0 I'll try that...but the Pandora seemed to work out.

It's going into the single din glove box above the main glovebox.

avanbecelaere · 07-19-2006, 05:58 AM

what are the size dimensions of the pandora box? do you expect it to be a tight fit? if you could, send me some pictures when you get it into the upper glove box. if its a simpler, good looking install, i will definitely follow suit. i would rather not pull up half my interior either running wires.

Peoples · 07-19-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by froalskiner

Ok, made a stupid mistake in my bench power supply...I picked up one that doesnt provide enough juice...it's rated at 2A x12v MAX so at most it will provide 24W from what I understand...

I'll need to get a 10A power supply to bench test my set up...or can probably find an extra ATX power supply and chop off one of the molex connectors...

first thing I thought when I saw your psu.

I'd recommend something more then 10A. I tried your second option. I found an old ATX PSU that is rated for 10A on the 12V rail. Though it works, anytime I tried something that took some juice the opus would go into protective mode and start a soft shutdown.

froalskiner · 07-19-2006, 04:24 PM

My friends dad lent me his 20A power supply so I'm golden...

I picked up some DC barrel plugs with 3' leads on ebay that were supposed to go to a CCTV system but are the right size so once I get those, I'll be able to connect everything properly without having to cut anything...I think they are 18 guage, so the shorter the better since I don't want to short anything out...I'll probably cut them down to less than 6"

I really just wanted them for the barrel plug.

froalskiner · 07-19-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by avanbecelaere

what are the size dimensions of the pandora box? do you expect it to be a tight fit? if you could, send me some pictures when you get it into the upper glove box. if its a simpler, good looking install, i will definitely follow suit. i would rather not pull up half my interior either running wires.

http://g35driver.com/forums/showpost...2&postcount=28

Should fit perfectly. I don't know the exact dimentions but it is slightly smaller than a single din device. http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...roducts_id=205

froalskiner · 07-19-2006, 05:19 PM

I was messing around and thought this would be a good boot screen...and modified a little so it could be made into a streetdeck skin...

froalskiner · 07-20-2006, 01:28 PM

I'll post some more pics of the install tonight or tomorrow...