Carputer on a Budget: 2002 WRX ver. 2.0 - Page 5

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 11:12 AM

...but I think this will bother me. The hvac controls push up on the screen, causing this wrinke in the finish. Of this whole carputer project, the one thing I don't want to have to redo, tweak, modify, upgrade(unless for a bigger screen), etc,...is the bezel. And it looks like I may have to, even after all the work I've put in to make it perfect. If I have to redo it, I may just shave off or cut off the bottom of the screen's case. I really didn't think lack of room would be that much of a problem. I guess that's what I get for only doing about a month's worth of research.

No wonder everyone else either uses the bolt-in kit or the in-dash sliding screen.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 11:15 AM

Here's a better wrinkle shot.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 11:17 AM

My desktop. The picture is a bitmap and the stars kinda "twinkle."

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 11:20 AM

And running RR with whatever skin. I like the look of it except for the blank square in the middle. HOPEFULLY I'll have time to make my own later on, but that's what I like about RR, all the choices, man.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:08 PM

In between drying times during the week, I've been able to get other stuff besides the bezel done.

I got a non-working emachine computer that was stripped of all useful components from work. I'm still trying to test it out to see if mobo or processor is salvagable. This could be the next carputer.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:10 PM

But for now, I took the power button, hd and power leds from it to try to figure out how to relocate the power button on my dell.

I took them, combined with parts I already had and half a spool of rainbow wire from radioshack, and ended up with...

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:16 PM

...this. Nothing fancy for right now. I'm still look for a nicer button, and in the finished version, the led will probably be white or blue. I didn't use the power led because I figured I wouldn't need it. I used around 10' of wire because I'm not sure where it will be finally mounted.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:24 PM

This close up shows how only 3 of the 4 pins were in a row. I had to repin my little harness. The button is a simple momentary on push button. Push once, computer turns on; push again, computer turns off. I couldn't firgure out if the dell has a reset button feature. I think any regular atx mobo would be much easier to work on than a dell.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:31 PM

I also rewired the switch from my inverter. I just removed the original rocker switch, took the power cord from a broken power adapter, and bought a connector that fits the power adapter from radio shack. Now I can disconnect the wires to make it easier to mount the switch wherever I finally decide to do so.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:38 PM

I also decided where I was going to mount the distribution blocks and inverter. I ended up chosing the "umbrella cubby." Here's mine with an "emergency" umbrella I've never had to use. I can put this cubby to better use.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:41 PM

Here's a test fit. The inverter is a little too tall. The cigarette sockets are on a trial basis. If it gives me problems, I can wire the inverter directly to the blocks. It's all about being flexible.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 12:50 PM

These pics show how I got the inverter to fit. It was the easiest solution. I wanted to remake the whole thing from scratch. That will have to be a project for a later date. Btw the router attachment made the hole nice and flat but I could not reach the other side of the hole.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 01:06 PM

Everything all wired up in there. I think this will only be a temporary setup.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 01:08 PM

I put the buttons in the ash tray for now, just so they don't accidently get pushed.

SnowDrift · 12-01-2006, 01:13 PM

Before I put the computer in it, I cleaned the spare and put some foam in for cushioning. I got a power cord with a right angle from work last week, but I can't seem to find it. The straight one will have to do for now.