Carputer on a Budget: 2002 WRX ver. 2.0 - Page 7

SnowDrift · 12-09-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by LaxPlaya8513

^^ LOL!!! how did you activate the aux in anyhow? i forget on Alpines...

Press and hold INTLZ button for more than 2 secs to get into this menu. Press up (>>|) until you see AUX, down(|<<) goes opposite direction. Then press TUNE button to turn AUX ON or AUX OFF. Then you can select aux from the source button.

In between working on my homework, I've been playing around with software and windows, trying to tweak the little things. I change icon and display size, set to computer to hibernate when power button is pressed, etc... I also downloaded and installed other frontends(MMC) and skins for RR. I plan on trying demo versions of SD and CF. I hope the computer's up to the processing challenge. I had to install sp 2 for winxp for delorme street atlas 2007 and start up/shut down seems a lot slower than before

. I also need to find time to better organize my mp3 folder. And finally, I got a wireless adpter for the computer. I wasn't planning on getting one til later but it was easier to download all the stuff I need to download onto the computer directly. It's suppose to have very good range, but I haven't tested it on the road yet. Much testing and trying out to do.

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:05 PM

Well, I got some free time finally and thought I'd share what i've been up to (with the carputer, at least).

I've decided to build a new carputer, one that's not so restricted on money. The current set up will be my backup and then maybe my 5 year old son's first computer/carputer. I'm in no rush, so I'll probably be able to save and buy everything by spring or early summer. I'm looking at dual core intels but also researching amds. Something that can multitask fairly well, but it still has to be affordable.

I got a new gps receiver and it works 100 times better than my old one. It's an AyAy Sir Quad port Ti-GPS. I also got (2 by accident) copilot 9 (which also came with a receiver) for Xmas. That's what causes me to want a new computer. I can't wait to test that out. Streets atlas 7 is ok, but definately not for ts.

I haven't had my computer running for about a week because I'm trying to clean up my button and switches. I decided to get the blue illuminated Bulgin Vandal switch after my other attempt failed. So , since I had time (wife and son went to visit family in NYC) I decided to do things right.

Here we go again

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:09 PM

The button fits in a 19mm, or around 3/4", hole. I decided to use these washers to mount it where my cig lighter was. The biggest drill bit I had was 1/2"

.

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:13 PM

I eventually made the hole big enough. Here's what it looks like front and back. The washer fills the arch very nicely, but I didn't like the look of all that silver around the button. I though about paining it black, but first let my try something else...

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:17 PM

I found a slightly smaller washer. It doesn't look that bad, just gotta clean it up a bit (from drilling and stuff). Eventually, I want to cover the button with a door or something so it's not seen. That's still in the R&D stage.

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:22 PM

I don't have any finished pics because it's not finished yet. Hopefully tomorrow. I want everything to eventually be hidden. Here's a prototype mock up of where the inverter switch will go. I still need to figure out how to open it though.

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 0-0-7

how did you wire the power cable from batt to trunk ? any closeups ?

Sorry for the long wait. Here's the 4 gauge power wire coming from the battery through my firewall behind the clutch pedal. WRX's already have a hole there with a grommet, but in my other cars, I've had to drill a hole. From there it travels down the driver side of the car (under the carpet and plastic molding/trim stuff), under the rear seat...

SnowDrift · 12-25-2006, 10:34 PM

...Then into the distribution block. Now I can wire up inverters, amps, ps, whatever, into the blocks.

SnowDrift · 12-27-2006, 10:15 PM

Here's the button in action. I love the look of it. At first glance, it looks like a hole for the cig lighter, when it's off. As you can see, I ended up painting the washer black anyways. It just took away from the beauty of the button. The blue ring actually glows a deeper blue than in the picture (look at the reflection of the light in the arch). I tried to play with the camera to show it better, but with no luck.

What do you think? Worth the $25 I paid for it? I think so.

LaxPlaya8513 · 12-27-2006, 10:46 PM

^^ that looks great! i actually haven't seen your car in quite a bit... maybe i should stop by some time.. When are you free/off of work?

f1vlad · 12-29-2006, 08:31 AM

Kinda expensive button man but fits with the style, I like it a lot!

SnowDrift · 04-08-2007, 07:07 PM

Ahhhhh.... Snow is melting, birds are singing, temps are warming,... spring is finally here. It's about time for me to stop hibernating and "finish" my car. I have a lot planned. Through the winter, I had many crazy ideas come and go. I'm still trying to make final decisions on what exactly I want to do with the carputer.

What I do know is what I don't like about it. I've had over 4 months of road time with the carputer I've come up with a laundry list of stuff I don't like about it. The biggest surprise is RR. I'm sure if I spent the time to code and make my own skin and stuff, it would be perfect for me, but I'm having difficulty finding time for anything nowadays, let alone this. I really only use it to play music off my hd, so I think I'll just switch to itunes. It's not ts friendly, but I'm familiar with it, and it is very good at what it does. I also need a new gps program. Street atlas 2007 is just as bad as 2003. I take that back. It's marginally better. But still not reliable enough and a pain to use while driving. It's failed 2 NYC test and I can't trust it in giving me directions. Wow. SD is looking really good right about now.

Other problems are more related to personal taste or unhappiness with the performance. The $65 800mhz Dells has proven to be a real bang-for-the-buck deal. It's gotten me this far. But that will probably get replaced soon. So will the screen and it's location. And hopefully the sub will also get a custom home. Plus, I have some loose ends that needed attention, but were put on hold because of the cold weather. That and much more (hopefully) is on the horizon.

f1vlad · 04-08-2007, 07:53 PM

Where've you been dude!?!

hibernation sleeeping ?

I've been doing the same actually. I am looking forward to warmer weather, maybe in couple of weekends time.

If you're interested I can burn you a CD of streets and trips. If you find something better, please let me know. I am rethinking RR as well. As of now using Winamp to play, not touch friendly at all. Hope to see you soon at one of our GTG, either subaru or carputer gtg.

SnowDrift · 04-09-2007, 08:20 AM

I've been busy with school, other projects and other hobbies. Plus the cold makes me lazy/sick. Now, hopefully, I can make the changes I want to my car before we have a meet.

executor485 · 08-26-2008, 04:01 PM

Nice install there... Looks good

I'm currently installing a setup in my 05 lgt. I have the computer in, just gotta finish the bezel where the screen is mounted.

BTW, CD2 Engine Detailer works wonders, spray and go