2006 Acura RSX Type-S Project

FaKk2 · 08-15-2006, 07:31 PM

Inspired by DJiK carcomp system I decided to shape up my baby with some nice features. As a programmer, I also liked the idea of being able to program the system and the car the way I want it. So here are some main rules I'd like to follow:
1. Non-destructive installation, meaning I don't want to cut the head unit bazel. It should be totally revertable.
2. Altho money isn't a restrictive matter, it should be spent wisely and economically right.
3. It should look nice and "like original".
4. Should be able to extend car features and raise the comfort level.

Main features I'd like to implement:
1. Voice activated GPS
2. Voice navigated Media Library
3. Hondata ECU hook up.
4. Outside cameras.
5. Various gauges and system info.
6. Passworded car ignition.
7. Sky is the limit...

Steps completed:
1. Bought a comp set of mini itx mobo, via C3 1GHz proc, 512 MB RAM, 100GB hdd, mini itx case with 80W psu.
2. Bought a Holux GR-213 usb gps reciever.

Planned steps:
1. Measure dimensions and decide on touchscreen position.
2. Set up an initial system once all components will arrive.

Except pics asap

DJiK · 08-15-2006, 08:41 PM

What's up Dude?!

#1 & #2) Check out NaviVoice
#3) I don't know much about Hondas. Have fun with the research.
#4) Start with one.
#5) A part of #3.
#6) It's been discussed many times -- basically you'd have to keep your computer on at all times, which drains the battery.
#7) No it's not... Remember Sputnik?

f1vlad · 08-15-2006, 08:45 PM

Sounds interesting, I like "passworded" car ignition, It's something I've been thinking of doing some time this year.

Conceited · 08-17-2006, 03:46 PM

This sounds interesting I am also a programmer and I am interesting into tapping into hondata for live performance data, one of the main reasons why I am becoming interesting in carpc

other reasons
1. radar detection (angles)
2. turbo gauges on screen

FaKk2 · 08-18-2006, 11:26 AM

Bought a big 8" touchscreen. Interesting thing is in Circuit City such screens start at $500 whereas I bought it for $165...

FaKk2 · 08-21-2006, 01:08 PM

Got the PC on Friday. Looks good, except it didn't have video drivers installed and was very hot in idle, I couldn't hold finger on it for more than 2 seconds! The MoBo reported 147 F(!) on chipset and 120 F on proc.
The video driver was found relatively fast, thanks to google. Then I checked the inside of the comp, and found out the reason for such tremendous heat - the chipset had passive radiator and 2 of the case fan places were empty...
So I've ordered 3 60x60x10 fans and hopefully the temperature problem will be resolved.

FaKk2 · 08-24-2006, 01:03 PM

Okay, so the fans arrived but they are oversized

I'll try to replace them.
The slim dvd drive needs an ide adapter which non of the Frys, CompUSA, BestBuy, Circuit City has. I've ordered it online, hopefully nothing else is needed (ah...the screws for that drive aren't standard, much smaller).

Next thing is powering. First I was thinking of getting a Carnetix dc-dc regulator, but when I contacted them, they said their regulator isn't powerful enough for my mobo and screen (it needs +12V @ 6.6A plus +12V @ 1.2A). Second option is dc-ac inverter, they are relatively cheap but once I imagined myself tons of wires, adapters, inverters, converters going around I decided this is not an option. The third and the last one is a dc-dc psu specially designed for carputers. So I've bought a 150W PSU by Opus Solutions. As described it can survive engine cranking, over and under voltage, shutdown delay, blah blah. The most important is the first feature as manual transmission cars tend to stall on lights.

That is it for now, and may I say, it didn't look that complicated at the beginning

FaKk2 · 08-28-2006, 01:29 AM

Well, I'm proud to announce that main hardware installation has complete. The process is described on my own site www.romanchik.info. Those who don't speak Russian are welcome to watch the pictures, as they are pretty self-explanatory.
Special thanks to DJiK for support and some explanation

On Monday I should recieve my slim IDE adapter and then I'll be able to make the sweet part of carputer.

DJiK · 08-28-2006, 01:44 AM

Fakk, Stop thanking me -- you did all the work.
Instead, show us some pics of the actual CarPC & Monitor.

(Я только нашел фотки машины на сайте)

mister408 · 08-28-2006, 10:26 AM

I was having a hard time seeing from the pictures how you mounted the touch screen and was wondering how you mounted it. Also, did you hook into the existing stereo system? I also have a 2006 RSX-S and would like to do some of these things as well.

FaKk2 · 08-28-2006, 11:04 AM

Yes, the project was finished in the night, so all interior changes are uncovered. I'll make & post some new pics in the day light.

MastaShake · 08-28-2006, 02:12 PM

Hey..so many russians on this forum hehehehe

<-- ukranian

Anyway, when i was reading your first post and it said 80W PSU i automatically thought that it was too small for your set up..but you figured that out..

how do you like Opus 150W and the mini-itx mobo .. do you think AMD Mobile is worth getting over the mini-itx?

FaKk2 · 08-30-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MastaShake

Hey..so many russians on this forum hehehehe

<-- ukranian

Anyway, when i was reading your first post and it said 80W PSU i automatically thought that it was too small for your set up..but you figured that out..

how do you like Opus 150W and the mini-itx mobo .. do you think AMD Mobile is worth getting over the mini-itx?

I don't have any complains about Opus PSU functionality. It works as promised, and have besides its primary job of stabilizing voltage a nice feature such as intelligent shutdown. However the only thing that ****ed me off is their technical design of cover screws. They are small and sit pretty tight, so you need very strong fingers to unscrew them. Consider the fact that the shutdown delay is set by jumper configuration inside the PSU. I had to do all that work twice, and I've shoved off completely a few screws in process.

As for the tandem of PSU and mini ITX, I can say that I'm overally satisfied. I'm not sure how AMD Mobile platform is small, but these 2 parts fit almost perfectly on the back side of one back seat. My only complain is the temperature of the case. In our hot California, after a day on the street you get burned by just touching the case! I'll have to do something with it.

MastaShake · 08-30-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

In our hot California, after a day on the street you get burned by just touching the case! I'll have to do something with it.

Buy a portable freezer and throw it in there..hehe

FaKk2 · 08-30-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mister408

I was having a hard time seeing from the pictures how you mounted the touch screen and was wondering how you mounted it. Also, did you hook into the existing stereo system? I also have a 2006 RSX-S and would like to do some of these things as well.

Here I've posted some more pictures: http://www.romanchik.info/wordpress/...-factum-notes/
Basically I just used straps to hold the monitor in between head unit and console. It holds pretty well and can be removed easily in order to avoid ****heads that break your window and take out what's in it. As for the audio, I've used an tape adapter hooked up with 2 rca cables coming from the mobo.

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