Project λ (Lambda) AKA Tech Van: 1994 Chevrolet G20 Conversion Van/56K WARNING!

**HiJackZX1** · 03-28-2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

"Entertainment" vehicle...

I'm actually starting to save some money now so I can put a new TV in it. I may take you up on your previous offer ZX1... I depends on what I can find here and at garage sales.

Well my idea before was to put a full size 27 inch, that would have to be built on the ground, because these things are fairly heavy. I was thinking of maybe building like a entertainment unit that holds the screen. It can block one of the windows, since you have so many, lol.

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

It was brought to my attention that I could ditch the center console TV idea altogether and do like ZX1Cruizer did to his Durango and put a flipdown screen on the top of the van behind the driver's area. That way everything is off the ground and there is less potential of it getting broken (unless someone throws something and breaks the hinges of the screen...). I like that idea and the challenge it presents. I'm most definately going that route. I have the room for it, now I just need the money to get it done.

If you do go the flip down route you must reinforce the roof. There is no way to avoid this because it will pull the roof down, and in my case fall off the roof. Since I did the bracket the screen can not move and does not put any weight on the roof. To build my bracket it cost about $30.00, now to buy the screen its $255.00 with shipping. I would save up for that and buy it right away, its the only one with VGA and I think they are discontinuing it. A cheaper solution may be to get a composite version but it will not look good as far as the font, but the composite version is widely avaliable and much lower in price.

**freeflashstuff** · 03-28-2010, 10:40 PM

I was looking at that screen you got, but I'm still gonna be about $100 short even after this check I have coming my way, unless they surprise me with another bonus... Here's hoping, right?

**freeflashstuff** · 03-29-2010, 01:15 AM

I found the pinhole camera I was going to use for a security camera in the Turtle's setup. I'm going to incorporate it as a back up camera in the Van. Image below. Any mounting tips?

**HiJackZX1** · 03-29-2010, 01:42 PM

It doesn't look waterproof, so you are going to have to mount it in the window. If you do mount it in the window, make sure to have the camera at a slight facing down angle, because your truck's windows are fairly high and you will end up like me, not being able to see the car behind you, as far as their bumper is concerned. I actually have to install a second camera to fix the blind spot issue. I have to guesstimate how close I am getting to the bumper because all I see is hood.

**freeflashstuff** · 03-31-2010, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by ZX1Cruizer

It doesn't look waterproof, so you are going to have to mount it in the window. If you do mount it in the window, make sure to have the camera at a slight facing down angle, because your truck's windows are fairly high and you will end up like me, not being able to see the car behind you, as far as their bumper is concerned. I actually have to install a second camera to fix the blind spot issue. I have to guesstimate how close I am getting to the bumper because all I see is hood.

I'm on the Internet from my school right now, so I can't view anything fully. Does this camera look like it would work better? It mounts on top of the license plate and comes with 5 meters (~15 feet) of cable for video/power.

**TFCommanderBob** · 03-31-2010, 01:37 PM

I have no advice to offer on this one, I'm still looking around for a camera worth investing some money in myself. I do however find the Hong Kong listing quite amusing-

"

Please attention that due to we receive Hong Kong post office's
announcement "There is no flight space to Brazil and Spain"
So we would not ship to Brazil and Spain during this peak mailling season of X'mas except you don't mind waiting for over 2 months shipping time. Sincerely hope for your understanding.

"

**HiJackZX1** · 03-31-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

I'm on the Internet from my school right now, so I can't view anything fully. Does this camera look like it would work better? It mounts on top of the license plate and comes with 5 meters (~15 feet) of cable for video/power.

Well only issue is that the camera is removable.

Originally Posted by TFCommanderBob

I have no advice to offer on this one, I'm still looking around for a camera worth investing some money in myself. I do however find the Hong Kong listing quite amusing-

Here is the big problem with all these cameras. No one understands how to label their stuff correctly. Especially the China stuff. They will list that its a rear view camera, when its actually a parking assist camera. Parking assist cameras usually are cr@ppy at farther distances, and they have those cr@ppy lines to assist you in parking.

The camera you linked to is a rear camera, but trust me, one rain storm and it will fill with water. I had a camera similar to this one.

Best thing to do is go with a CCD camera and not a CMOS. I will say that CCD is more expensive, but they are clear, better at adjusting light and so much more. My first rear camera happens to be CCD. It can see clearly, and at night when head lights hit it (mine stays on all the time) it adjusts the light so you can still see, instead of seeing a big blinding light. The CMOS parking assist dont adjust correctly, blind out when headlights hit them.

The only thing I notice is that CCD dont usually come with I/R, or I havent come accross any, and when they do they are much more pricey, not by much though, maybe $15.00 more.

This is a CCD camera. I hear these are good cameras, I plan to buy 2 of them for the side mirrors. Only thing is they have a stand to connect them. If you are looking for flush mount, use the link below with the other camera.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I also want to warn, the camera that MP3Car sells is a parking assist camera, with uglier lines then the others, lol.

You guys are lucky because I found a CCD Camera, infact I think its the one I have in the rear. My front camera is CMOS, I got it free so i couldnt complain. Since its either daytime or my headlights are on, I have no issues with it. Here is the link to it: http://cgi.ebay.com/CAR-BACK-UP-REAR...item1e5ae357db

**freeflashstuff** · 04-01-2010, 01:56 PM

I added those to my eBay watch list. I'll be picking on of those up soon.

**freeflashstuff** · 04-02-2010, 11:32 PM

I have been having computer issues lately, so I checked out a "research" computer from the school's Super Computing Challenge library (it's my team's laptop anyway...) so I can at least stay halfway up-to-date on things.

**freeflashstuff** · 04-04-2010, 07:38 PM

I just swapped the Tercel's Duralast Gold battery for the van's Carquest Premium 60 battery. The Tercel didn't notice it because the CarPC and stereo are gone, but the van felt it big time! For the first time, I didn't have to hold the key in the "Start" position. It fired right off!

Now I just need my glovebox, fuel gauge and windshield fixed so I can get on to the CarPC fabrication and stereo portion of this project...