2002 Acura RSX Install - Pistolen08 - Page 4

Pistolen08 · 02-03-2007, 12:25 PM

My mom has an '01 MDX, and it looks like the steering wheel controls would fit for my RSX. I was going to take a better look and measure to make sure. I also noticed that the RSX steering wheel already has the mounting location for the buttons. Here is a picture of the MDX steering wheel controls I was looking at using:

Pistolen08 · 02-04-2007, 02:39 PM

I started working on the enclosure box which will house the computer, amp, etc... The dimensions are 39" x 14" x 5" and I built it out of 1/2" plywood. After much sanding/sawing/screwing it all started to come together (very nicely I might add). I put a small gromit in the back to wire all the cables through, and the lid is on a hinge with a latch where I can lock it. I still need to finish the lid (add fans and cold cathodes) and then carpet the entire thing (I got the carpet at home depot). I also set up the terminal switch for all my 12V wiring. Here is a mockup picture with all the components for fitting:

Pistolen08 · 02-04-2007, 03:16 PM

Here is a quick photoshop sketch to show how I will setup the lid. I chose red since all my interior lights and guages are red. The cold cathodes will synch with the music and will behind a lexan window. I plan to use an acura logo as a fan grill for my exhaust fan, and I will place the razer led on the top so it can shine down on the box in a fan shape. I hope it will turn out as I plan.

Pistolen08 · 02-07-2007, 09:47 AM

Update:

I finished installing the power button (Link), and ran the griffin powermate through the door gromit. (pain in the ***)

Since the button LED ring takes 1.85V input, I used 440 ohm resistor from the 12V DV source. I have to admit, it looks awesome, and completely matches my interior. I don't have seat warmers, so there was a blank button cover in the dash. I drilled a hole through the middle, and put the button through that. I will post some pictures of it when I get home.

All that is left to do is:

Carpet the computer enclosure
Power Supply solution
Dremel holes for fans/cold cathodes in enclosure lid
Fabricate Acura emblem as fan grill

rsxtypes · 02-12-2007, 10:55 AM

Out of curiosity why did you mount your powermate in the door. Or did you mount it somewhere else like the exterior?
I mounted mine on the shelf where the back seatbelt comes out and I get perfect reception.

Pistolen08 · 02-12-2007, 06:23 PM

I assume you mean GPS, not powermate.

The GPS in inside the wood enclosure I built. I am still working on it (I need to cut out the window and put the carpet over it). I get about 6 sats, so I'm not worried about signal strength.

rsxtypes · 02-22-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pistolen08

I assume you mean GPS, not powermate.

The GPS in inside the wood enclosure I built. I am still working on it (I need to cut out the window and put the carpet over it). I get about 6 sats, so I'm not worried about signal strength.

My bad. I have seen the griffin powermate a 100 times on this site and I have assumed it was a GPS device(thats just kinda what it sounded like to me). I just googled it to find out it is a voume control knob among other things. Do you think it would fit in the sliding tray above the drink holder? I was looking for a nice looking knob to put in there.

Pistolen08 · 05-25-2007, 05:49 PM

Now that school is out, I have found some time to work on the carpc project. I decided to get rid of mapmonkey, and start using iGuidance instead. This was prompted by mapmonkey telling me to go the wrong direction on a one way street

(which I didn't do btw) . I know this is destinators fault, but I never trusted it since then. I also decided to try out the alpha of FU, and I simply love it. My current to-do list includes:

Hardware:

install power supply
finish carpeting box/cut hole for lights
install ground loop isolator to fix noise when computer is off
install microphone
install keyboard
install more RAM
install backup camera

Software:

setup cell phone integration

Pistolen08 · 06-15-2007, 12:51 PM

Well, I never posted a picture of the finished screen fab in place, so here it is. I will take another of the power button assembly later.

rsxtypes · 06-18-2007, 09:53 AM

What front end is that? Centrafuse is about to start charging and I am not sure if I want to buy it or not. That one looks like it matches the interior pretty well.

fokuzg · 06-21-2007, 02:00 PM

you need more sanding to do bro...it looks bad. but nice install.

Lazyflip · 06-22-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rsxtypes

What front end is that? Centrafuse is about to start charging and I am not sure if I want to buy it or not. That one looks like it matches the interior pretty well.

Looks like RR with the FU (Freedom Ultimate) skin. Freedom Ultimate (Worklog)

I think the bezel could be improved but nice install!

smoresrock · 07-29-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pistolen08

Hi, welcome to the forums!

What is a PWP RSX? Is that like an import thing?
I'm still trying to cross the hurdle of my broken lcd, but I just recieved a few parts (including a ATI remote wonder 2, and a Griffin Powermate) so I'm gonna work on adding those in the meantime. The computer aspect of my project is done.

Here is my to-do list:

Fix LCD
Buy GPS (BU-353)
Buy Bluetooth Dongle
Buy new cell phone with bluetooth
Position backup camera
Buy auto startup/shutdown controller for laptop
Buy Female-Female VGA Adapter
Get WifiHopper to work on TinyXP
Fabricate an enclosure for the amp, laptop, and antennas
Fabricate in Griffin Powermate
Find a good place for USB hub

PWP = premium white pearl (color of car)
in clubrsx.com people refer to the colors in their abbreviated forms. for example, yours would be SSM or ASM if i'm not mistaken ssm for satin silver metallic. anyway, i'm about set to start building my own carputer and saw ur finished install. what's with the unfinished look of the bezel? are you still going to fine sand that thing down? it looks pretty bad...

Fallout · 08-02-2007, 11:46 PM

any updates on the sanding of the bezel?

Pistolen08 · 08-14-2007, 04:38 PM

Hey guys,
I've been away for a while and I want to finish the carpc project fairly soon. Yes I know the bezel looks like ****, but I am way to lazy right now to take the whole thing out, resand/re-fill/re-paint it. I still don't have a power supply, lol so that is my next thing to sort out. I have 2 batteries in the laptop, so I only have to take it out about every 10 days to charge it. Still, it's really annoying. I installed an external power button up front, so I don't need to worry about a shutdown/startup controller. I really just want to get the power supply situation sorted out first before I do anything else. The laptop takes 19.5V input. Any ideas on a really cheap solution that wont introduce audio interference? I would buy an opus/carnetix, but I really don't want to spend the money if I don't need a shutdown/startup controller.

@RSXTypes-
Yes, it's Freedom Ultimate with a modified color scheme.

After I finish the power supply, I want to finish carpeting the rest of the computer/amp box (lol, I never carpeted the top). After that, I might redo the bezel when I feel like it.