Thread: '05 Nissan Altima- Intel D945GCLF2D Mini-ITX in Center Console (Storage Bin Mod)

Here are some pics of my center console dis-assembly.

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  I Hate these things:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  These next few pics provide a view of how much space I'm looking at for mounting my components.
  Looks good so far. Plenty to spare.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is the Storage Bin insert that I will have to leave uninstalled to provide sufficient space.
  
  
  
  
  I'll think about using this to power some type of accessory...we'll see (12v/120W Switched)
  
  
  
  This is the front part of the floor console. This is the part I replaced the cigarette plug
  with a USB plug....when I had my EEEPC mounted. The hole is where the switch was.
  
  
  
  
  These last two pics are the back panel of the floor center console. You can see that a 120mm
  fan fits perfect. It will have to be mounted a little lower than where it is but just to give an idea.
  
  
  

There are a couple of things I've learned the hard way:

• This an experimental installation, because no one's ever done it just the way you'll do it. You may find something that changes your plan further down this road, or you may find some nifty new component you want to add. Build with enough flexibility in the plan that you can change and adapt it later.
• Plan your wire routing. Know where your wires are going to go, and leave plenty of space for them. Plan for a way to access them later. If you make a hole for a wire to go through, make it big enough for the connector on the end of the wire. And make the hole big enough that you can get one of the wires -- and its connector -- out of the hole without removing all the others.
• Leave space not just for your plugs on the back of the mainboard, but for your hand to get in there and attach them. Don't make it so tight you have to give blood or use tweezers to get stuff installed/uninstalled.
• Plan for parts to fail. Make it so you can get in there and replace them without having to break parts you've made.
• Keep a sense of humor. You're going to say "(Expletive deleted)! Why didn't I think of that?" All you can do is laugh and pass that tip on to someone else.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

There are a couple of things I've learned the hard way:

• This an experimental installation, because no one's ever done it just the way you'll do it. You may find something that changes your plan further down this road, or you may find some nifty new component you want to add. Build with enough flexibility in the plan that you can change and adapt it later.
• Plan your wire routing. Know where your wires are going to go, and leave plenty of space for them. Plan for a way to access them later. If you make a hole for a wire to go through, make it big enough for the connector on the end of the wire. And make the hole big enough that you can get one of the wires -- and its connector -- out of the hole without removing all the others.
• Leave space not just for your plugs on the back of the mainboard, but for your hand to get in there and attach them. Don't make it so tight you have to give blood or use tweezers to get stuff installed/uninstalled.
• Plan for parts to fail. Make it so you can get in there and replace them without having to break parts you've made.
• Keep a sense of humor. You're going to say "(Expletive deleted)! Why didn't I think of that?" All you can do is laugh and pass that tip on to someone else.

I agree. Trust me this has definitely NOT been an overnight idea, and I have had to adjust a few things already. This is the case with most mobile computing projects. Different cars, different mobile computing goals, different hardware..etc.

I came across this site that has some good parts for OEM work. I am actually looking for the LED power cables, but may come across some other things.

FrozenCPU.com

Originally Posted by merkj

FrozenCPU.com is an awesome site. I got all of my sleeving and liquid cooling stuff (for my desktop) from them.

Yeah I see a few accessory and components I may get from there. Definitely getting the LED switch and cable from there.

So I decided to get my LCD from bybyte.com. They have the LED backlit with double din dash kit preassembled for your vehicle. I emailed them tonight requesting a combo kit for my car and they responded already stating that it will be available by Thursday. That's Service!

Since my EEEPC 2G Surf just does not want to be good anymore...still issues with powering up..I am going to just start recycling out its parts. The Atheros Mini PCI Wifi card I think I am going to use on my INTEL board. I found one of these adapter cards below at a site called embeddedworks.net. At least it will put the PCI slot on my board to use. Otherwise I wasn't going to use it.

Soooo...I have been thinking and thinking. Now I am wondering if I should install my PC in the front storage bin area instead...I would have to keep that bin uninstalled also.






My reason for the possible change is because that front part of the console is a breeze to remove..no drama with unscrewing stuff and easy access if I needed to make some modifications. The only thing is what about the rear storage bin, my original location? What do I do with it? It's still wasted space. Possibly I could modify for mounting other accessories or components...we shall see. It's hard to decide when I do not have the case in yet. I need the case so I can size things up more.