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

**rogerdugans** · 07-07-2008, 07:16 PM

Yeah, KMix, wicd for WiFi control, and KSensors for temp readings, although I may switch to gkrellm.

But most of the music players I have messed with also place an icon down there, and the size is so tiny it is next to impossible to access them with the touch screen.

I have a lot going on for the next few weeks, so probably won't have much time to devote to the carputer software until maybe the end of the month, but I will probably mess with NGhost some more.

As for the car itself...
Yeah, I'm pretty happy with it- now that I upgraded both sway bars.

Great power, fantastic handling, comfortable and responsive.
Lousy fuel mileage, of course... best of about 23 mpg on the highway, and I am usually around 18, but...
Well, under 6 seconds to 60mph in an AWD vehicle carrying 4 people gotta cost you somewhere, I guess.

I've heard some good things about the Red Lines from Saturn- like, really the only Staurn to buy if you want a Saturn.

**rogerdugans** · 07-13-2008, 07:27 AM

A few updates:

First off- I have replaced the old, dying ac pump with a new MCP-355 12volt pump. I also purchased a custom top for the pump to get smaller tubing connections since the pump has 3/8" barbs and I need 1/4".
No more inverter, pump is silent and temp is slightly better.

I have figured out just HOW I am going to complete my display mount, but due to things outside my control, I have not been able to fab it up yet.

I have been struggling with the applications and interface though: icons too small, apps that don't scale size properly (can't access some settings at all) and the lack of "right click" and a proper keyboard.

I am getting to the point where I am willing to try Linux Vista- errrr, I mean Ubuntu again. lmao

And even considering (ugh) winblows.

**bitonw** · 07-24-2008, 10:05 AM

nice one. i will keep an eye on this post since i'm also slowly starting to build my own carpc. at the moment i'm not to worried about the software since i will take my time to build the hardware first. sure i prefer linux since all my computers are running either linux or freebsd.

**Redian** · 07-28-2008, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by rogerdugans

A few updates:

First off- I have replaced the old, dying ac pump with a new MCP-355 12volt pump. I also purchased a custom top for the pump to get smaller tubing connections since the pump has 3/8" barbs and I need 1/4".
No more inverter, pump is silent and temp is slightly better.

I have figured out just HOW I am going to complete my display mount, but due to things outside my control, I have not been able to fab it up yet.

I have been struggling with the applications and interface though: icons too small, apps that don't scale size properly (can't access some settings at all) and the lack of "right click" and a proper keyboard.

I am getting to the point where I am willing to try Linux Vista- errrr, I mean Ubuntu again. lmao

And even considering (ugh) winblows.

First:
if you need a petratech top.. i have one laying around.. 20 bucks shipped and its yers.. as for barbs, just buy some from petrastechshop or dangerden.

least i can do for another wrx.

Second:
get some pictures in here dude!

Third:

WC in a carPC doesnt work well. you need a hella long T-line and a shutoff valve which can perfectly close the tube. failure w/ either of these would result in bubbles from bumps n ****.. and eventually air in your blocks, and even worse.. your pump.

also, WC really cant handle the vibrations of a car.. its not worth it. i tried it and it failed horribly.

**rogerdugans** · 08-02-2008, 03:22 PM

Been busy and haven't had a chance to post in here for a while-

My system is still going well, but... a few glitches here and there.
Considering that automotive computers are new to me and the small amount of existing, ready-to-use software for the purpose in linux, I'm not entirely surprised though.

Biggest issue is caused, I think, by problems with the M4-atx dc/dc power supply.
Not entirely sure if it is some more of the common bugs with the unit or not, but some random reboots that are very erratic.

I have ruled out nearly everything else, at this point, and will rule out the windows nav software I am running in wine on monday.

As for the water cooling:
Not such a big system is required.

My total tubing length is probably 6 feet, and my tee line is only about 10 inches tall.
I am something of a water cooling afficionado though, so what seems easy to me may not be for others.
As for the bubbling and such- not a worry as long as all lines are properly clamped off and in fact, all the vibration is more likely to HELP remove air from the system than it is to cause a problem.

But the fact is that with this development system I would have used air cooling if I could, but I wasn't buying a 1u heatsink that I would never use again...
And I am probably going to grab one of the new Via systems once they are available: for once, I may be an "early adopter" of new tech.

Water cooling will NOT be required for such a system (entire system will put out fewer watts than my current p4 1.6 cpu alone!) but I may do it anyway....
Only computer I personally have that is NOT water cooled is my laptop.

But back on the subject of my Linux carpc:

I am currently testing Destinator for navigation, using wine and it works pretty well, most of the time.
Except for the lockups that occur every 15 minutes or so sometimes.
Oh, and occasionally refusing to release the sound system so I can play music...

But the nav itself and maps are excellent.
IF Roadnav was just more accurate as to where intersections are (often mistaking an overpass/underpass for one) than I would be all set...
At this point though, it seems that Destinator, the last version of iGuidance or RoadNav are my choices.

Amarok works mostly fairly well for music, but the size of the windowed app is far too small. I think something is planned differently for Amarok2, but not sure just what or when.

I do have my touchscreen mount done, though the wiring is not yet cleaned up.
I'l try and get some pics in here tomorrow.

**ViViper1** · 08-02-2008, 08:10 PM

how do you keep your water cool in the heat and im assuming you put some antifreeze in it to keep it from freezing in the winter time? I bought some aluminum bars and im working on cutting it and putting it together to replace the wooden part now. nice to see you found more solutions for the linux instead of quiting and going to windows.

**rogerdugans** · 08-02-2008, 08:31 PM

Right now I am still running straight water- its HOT out and antifreeze does slightly reduce the cooling capability of the water. I will (if still water cooling...) add antifreeze before cold weather. I have frozen one cooling system in the past- that is enough!

Heat, at least the readings I can get from the sensors (onscreen) has not been a major issue yet: hits a high of around 55c which IS damn hot, but I have run p4s that high before with few problems, especially at stock speed. And usually it is under 50c, even on the hottest days.

As for the aluminum: good deal, man!
Did you find someplace to TIG weld it yet, or are you going to try something else?

I came back online tonight because I was just screwing around again and I THINK I found a better music player:
Aqualung

Not sure about overall usability yet, since I just NOW got it running, but it has one feature that I wanted that no other linux music software I have tried had:
I can resize the damn player window!