[DEAD]Project Turtle: 1993 Toyota Tercel/56K=FAIL

**freeflashstuff** · 01-12-2009, 10:06 PM

This thread will serve as a basis for my new project. Project λ (Lambda): 1994 Chevrolet G20 Conversion Van
I'll be referring back here often. As a result, I am NOT closing this thread yet.

Well, my carPC stuff got off to an extremely rough start. First, I didn't get the car I wanted, so the screen I had purchased in advance was too big! I custom-made a new one that fit perfectly, and like a dummy, left it on my dash. I live in NM, and the sun's not exactly friendly to plastic and electronics... Needless to say, that didn't last long.

First, my setup.(Updated 3-21-10)

Intel D945GCLF mATX motherboard
Windows XP Pro SP3-with EWF/HORM
Intel Atom 1.6Ghz
1GB RAM
16GB SSD (System disk)
32GB SSD (Music/Videos disk)
Opus 120 DC/DC PSU
Rosewill RNX-G1W with a roof mount antenna
Generic GPS ($20 on eBay)
XMPCR
Centrafuse 3 Auto
Sony CDX-GT320(headunit)
1000W inverter for whatever
200W VR3 Amplifier
2 8" Pyramid Subwoofers
2x Audiobahn Composite speakers/tweeters(front speakers)
2x Alpine Type R(rear speakers/blew one...

)

At one point, I had an XM Direct box hooked up, but it got fried in my experimentation, along with the only true serial port on the motherboard. As a result, I started hunting an XMPCR, even though I knew they were few and far between. I managed to find one on MyRadioStore.com for $60. Considering the fact that my Sony headunit is XM-Ready, I tried yet another XM Direct box bundled with the Sony adapter kit. It didn't work either. So, I got the XMPCR. BEST INVESTMENT EVER! Got it hooked up and integrated into RR(Digital FX 4.0; best skin ever!). EDIT: Then I swithced to Centrafuse because I didn't have the time to mess with Road(Ride)Runner

Since my first post in this thread, I have purchased a Lilliput EBY701 that is integrated into my dash now. (see post #105)

Added LED floor lights and reset button with indicator LEDs. See post here.

LED tail lights with electronic flasher here.

Everything running smoothly, pre-2nd HD death...

and shiny Turtle here.

Here, here and here are pix from the fabrication of the bezel.

I also have made changes from the cardboard box below, to a case that I got from rdoltz.(Thanks man!) Also for all of the electrical help.
Ozzy71 I also owe thanks to him as well.
I also owe ZX1Cruizer (FKA: HiJackZX1) some thanks for selling me the Ground Loop Isolator and the SSD, along with all of the tips.

Other changes are in the works. Stay tuned!!!

**freeflashstuff** · 01-12-2009, 10:35 PM

Here is a picture of the Tercel(Turtle).

Here is a picture of the box I have the PC in in my trunk.
Will eventually be replaced with an actual case or hidden under the carpet in my trunk.

My Sony headunit with the connection to the carPC in the AUX

**rdholtz** · 01-12-2009, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

Here is a picture of the box I have the PC in in my trunk.

A corrugated PC case: support and insulation in one product.

Kidding aside, that's an ingenious, low-cost way to test and layout to determine what shape and size you want your case. And it could actually be the final product: paint it with some fiberglass resin, and it would lock into the shape you want . . . you could add some glass fiber for strength, but I'd bet the resin-impregnated corrugations would make the resulting product quite strong.

Very interesting.

**freeflashstuff** · 01-13-2009, 12:06 AM

I'm planning on getting a voom case or just hiding that. I'm stripping it all out while I go on a weekender. When I put it all back in, I'm going to rewire all of my power cables and fix some grounding issues in my capacitor and install my distribution block.

**freeflashstuff** · 01-13-2009, 07:26 PM

Well, I took the carPC out today so I can run Windows Updates and update my music/video library. LOL I also installed a Linksys NSLU2 with a 250GB HD set up as a network share to further simplify future library updates.

**freeflashstuff** · 01-14-2009, 12:13 AM

I'm thinking about getting this case to put the electronics into. What do you think?

**rdholtz** · 01-14-2009, 07:50 AM

While that case is inexpensive, it still runs a 120/240V power supply. You wind up buying an inverter, too, and they're expensive to operate, or you go to a DC-DC power supply.

And cheap often = unreliable.

How about using a Morex Cubid Mini-ITX case? There are several models. Although the upfront cost is greater, they're built to do what you want.

Right now, there are used Morex Cubid 2699 cases on eBay for $45 delivered -- with a built-in 60W DC-DC power supply.

**freeflashstuff** · 01-14-2009, 05:39 PM

The thing is, all together, my devices draw almost 300W because of my USB and PCI devices. I was going to get an OPUS, but I got my inverter for $50 on ebay, and the AC PSU(400W) was given to me. So, this method was a heck of a lot cheaper. I'm just working out the timing bugs in my uSDC so ity doesn't stay on for 30min and run my battery down. I got it set to 5min, and the low voltage to 11VDC. The inverter alone will shut off at 10VDC. Now I just need to either fiberglass this case or get a REAL case like the Morex or the one I linked to. Now I just need to get some $$$....

**rdholtz** · 01-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Money's an issue for almost all of us. For me, the best fun is in trying to break some new ground.

I still think it would be very interesting to produce a corrugated cardboard box the size and shape you want, and resin-impregnate it for your case. I don't know how strong it would be, but it certainly seems off the top of my head that it would be pretty acceptable. Perhaps you'd need to add a fiberglass layer for additional strength. You could build a separate resin-impregnated cardboard lid to cover it.

Even with the cost of resin and some glass mat, it would be relatively inexpensive. Yes, it'd be messy while you're building it, and I'm sure problems would present themselves. Sounds like a fun adventure, to me.

In the end, you'd have a real case the exact size and shape you want, for low cost. And you'd have bragging rights, too.

**freeflashstuff** · 01-14-2009, 08:01 PM

I've got Bondo, would that work? I'm gonna assume that I'll need a lot more than I've got, though, because I've only got a kit for dings and scratches. If you'll give me a link to what I would need, I'll consider that idea ONLY because I think it'll be a challenge and because I have a s*!tload of carboard boxes here at home. LOL