Thread: First CarPC: 2008 Subaru WRX, Linux, Work In Progress

Ok, I piled stuff up on a table and took pics.
I have to upload them and post links, which I'll do after this...

BUT I have some bad news:
While figuring out the mounting methods for the Koolance internals, one of the barbs for the pump/reservoir unit broke off.
This is a plastic tank with integral barbs and a vital piece when using the Exos pump.
Sucks.

I only have one other 12 volt pump, and that is in the computer I use most of the time- the one I am on now.

Since I am determined to have this thing installed this weekend, I am going to use another pump temporarily: old Eheim 1048 (120v ac pump) I've had about 8 years now, and run it with an inverter.

ETA- Link to pics

Qualified success-

Most of the stuff is installed and the computer does start up and connect to wifi.

Biggest issue:
cpu is overheating in about 3 minutes.

The only thing I can think of is that my old Eheim has finally crapped out. I will mess with that a bit tomorrow, but I am done for the night right now.

A couple of other, more minor things:
I need to raise the display more, so I need to get a couple of pieces at the hardware store.
I forgot that I needed another long sound patch cable, so right now I am stuck with a little FM broadcast unit.

The gps sensor needs to be installed, the wifi antenna needs to be mounted in a hidden spot and I NEED TO GET A NEW PUMP! lol

Going to go order one now.

Update:
Messed with the system a bit today and can only say "DOH!"

The tubing has quick-disconnects in it from the Koolance, and they seal up when not connected to minimize water loss....

One of them was not fully seated.
Which means ZERO flow.

Running now, hitting a high temp of about 44c, and that is on a hot day with the cargo tray closed, limiting airflow.

The new pump is ordered anyway, which is good because I hate using an inverter just for my pump. lol

I ran the system for about 15 minutes (transferring music) on battery alone, and the car restarted just fine- without killing the file transfer process.

So, while I have some details to finish, including getting the display positioned and secure, plus interface stuff... the system is working.

Pics will follow soon, but I am currently cooking dinner.

File transfer is done- about an hour of run time (car running for 2/3 of that) and dinner eaten.

Pics are located HERE .

Much of the system is pretty ghetto right now, some of which was planned (to make sure I really use the thing before modifying my car too much) and two of which were not:
dc/ac inverter for the pump (to be replaced soon)
Touchscreen is too low (still thinking about it.)

Note that while everything in the spare tire well is not actually mounted per se, it is all pretty well secured, even if pretty ghetto.

Over time, I will improve mounting methods as I get to it.

Maybe even get rid of the work gloves holding the hard drive.

My screen runs 1024x768 natively, which is were it is now, but seems to also run 800x600 perfectly (no stretching or oddness to fonts, etc.)

KDE itself mostly seems to be ok, though I have been unable to get the icons in the system tray to upsize, and the default size is freaking TINY.
Not real happy with KDE either, but at this point its either that or figure out how to get NGhost (svn version) working WELL.

The screen is mounted to a couple of pieces from Panavise but... not quite where I want it yet, or secure enough. It is mounted to a cover plate in the passenger footwell, which is somewhat lower and farther than I had originally planned, but keeps me from having to penetrate the body panels anywhere. My current plan is to fabricate a custom pipe mount which will be fastened to the plate and have a Panavise ball on the upper end; this should make it stable yet retain articulation, and get the height I want. I just need to get my torch set and bottles back from a guy at work.

Water cooling is good.
I may, eventually, one day.... spring for a nice little Via mini board, and probably not require water anymore, but... well, any high powered/wattage chip deserves H2O in my book.