2008 Impala SS - The Connected Car

**Bugbyte** · 11-07-2009, 09:35 PM

So, Sheeva needs 5v and I've got one of those little 12v lead acid batts you see in UPS power supplies. Using that might work pretty well. I think you can deep cycle them and charge them from the car when it is on.

**tripzero** · 11-07-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

wow, big goal for the end system, that's cool just to have the sheeva controling the fusion brain... probably a good idea if you add a deep cycle battery dedicated to this system too, with only the 5v required you'll get a whole lot more parked run time & not have to worry as much about runing your regular battery down constantly, justchats right you'll kill it...

I've always wanted to be able to connect to my car anytime through the internet, have a few different idea's on how to do it, but how would you do that? even with a 3g connection, you wouldn't keep that live all the time would you? if a live 3g connection & a sheeva plug running, connected to a fusion brain would all be low power enough to always keep on that would be an awesome system for sure...

I wrote some software over the summer that would connect to 3g when the system received a text message. I could do it that way. Initially, I'm only going to worry about wifi.

**tripzero** · 11-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Update:

I've got a Zotac ION board and an OCZ SSD drive on the way.

I'm still waiting on the sheeva plug...

Next on the list is the Fusion brain, some relays, volt/current meters and a new powersupply for the carpc. I don't think the m1-atx will power the new board.

I think that I will get this to power the sheeva: http://www.mini-box.com/DCDC-USB

bugbyte, i like your backup battery idea. I'll look into it more. I wonder if I can find a smaller lithium ion batter to use as a backup...

**rdholtz** · 11-19-2009, 03:56 PM

The auxiliary battery system is terrific. It means that, with low-power PC systems, we just don't have to worry about the PC eating the main battery. I have three small 7.2A 12V batteries -- sealed lead acid units from a server battery backup device -- wired into the carPC system. I'm running an Atom board: Intel D945GCLF2.

Here's the plastic battery box with the top off . . .

Click images to enlarge.

. . . and with the top on:

These pictures were taken while I was still wiring the system up. The battery box sits under the passenger seat (which was removed when I took the pictures).

I've left the system running in the car all weekend, and it was still running Monday morning. I haven't done long-term testing to figure out exactly how long it would operate just on the batteries, but all the evidence thus far indicates that it's a surprisingly long time.

**tripzero** · 11-20-2009, 10:17 AM

very nice!

I'm hoping something like this will do the trick:

http://cgi.ebay.com/KINETIK-HC600-KH...ht_4590wt_1167

**rdholtz** · 11-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by kev000

very nice!

I'm hoping something like this will do the trick:

http://cgi.ebay.com/KINETIK-HC600-KH...ht_4590wt_1167

Wow, at 50A, that definitely will give you some runtime. I have 21.6A among the three batteries in my auxiliary system.

The important factor isn't high power output, but rather the ability to put a little power out over a long period, and to allow deep cycling: deep discharge and subsequent recharge. High power output -- such as a burst of power to start the car -- is what car batteries do well; deep cycle is what backup batteries do best. Deep cycle batteries are likely to have thicker plates.

**RipplingHurst** · 11-20-2009, 11:39 AM

Just recently I've came to know something about deep cycle batteries. My car has a 72Ah CCA battery, which is a starter battery. I thought deep cycle batteries were something of a golf cart or the extra batteries in an RV. So you can wire those small batteries in the car? Cool.

So when does one need to upgrade the alternator? My alternator is rates at 110 amps at 5600 rpm, and about mealy 19amps at idle. So if I add something like 25 to 50 amps deep cycle battery, will it keep up with that?

**rdholtz** · 11-20-2009, 01:51 PM

Well, we're driving Scion xBs, with standard Toyota alternators on 1.5L engines. I have 21.6A of storage, and Josh has a second standard-size automotive battery -- an Optima -- in his (plus a full PC with a multi-core processor). Neither of us needs another alternator.

**RipplingHurst** · 11-20-2009, 02:38 PM

Thanks!! Very useful info! I think I'm going to buy that one linked above from ebay, or a smaller one, if I figure out where to put it.

I'd like to keep my car in sleep mode as long as possible, and wake it up through 3g and maybe IM it, track it, etc.

**HiJackZX1** · 11-20-2009, 02:44 PM

WOW, This looks like its going to be a cool project. So basically you will have to use GPS and what not so it know where to do things? Also, how will the car know your coming up to it? Will you have a dongle that senses getting close to it? Similar to like what BMW does? I will note that its not solid. Basically when the car senses the dongle it allows you to start the car, but when you leave the car, it shuts off. I guess the dongles had a long range because there have been times I have told my friend the car is still running. Other issues Ive had is when I borrow his car, to get the thing to start is a b!+ch. I keep telling him that with all the steps, I could have turned a key and been half way down the street. Other then that its fairly good.

About the battery, I am installing a separate alternator for a second battery that will power the car PC and amps, I can use the battery u've picked out, like can it be used on its own, or does it have to be used in conjunction with the normal battery?