VOLVO S80 CarPC Work in progress

**VolvoCarPC** · 12-03-2012, 11:15 PM

I've been thinking the same like you - to use the multimedia keys. This is the used KBD:

BUT on the main sheet there are 2 pins corresponding for all multimedia keys. That means to solder #0 diodes which is not a good idea.

For Sony RM-X4S (your remote) there are pre-made controllers - joy conn, or something similar in transcription. They are used for using the steering wheel buttons of most cars. Just search around here - many users got it.
Why? Because I'm going to repeat all the process once again

While tracing the PCB of the remote I've removed little by little the contacting area for BTN "next song". BAD BAD BAD. I can live without it but ... I'd like to have it. The used KBD seemed to work fine at the beginning, but after a couple of hours testing I found the reason it went to the II-nd line - sometimes it refuses to work for a while. So combining those two problems forced me to take the decision to make this thing all over again.

**VolvoCarPC** · 01-05-2013, 09:15 PM

OK, here I go again

Some fab job on the screen. Not finished, but most of the job is done:
Screen before I start:

Then I cuted it on two pieces because I want to place a bigger screen inside:

This means I'll need to extend the whole plastics + mechanics with approximately 2sm. This post is for plastics only.
I've already show you pics of how I did the screen bezel angle (sorry, i don't know the therm in English)

And here is the new stuff:

All that is left is to mod the little plastic piece where used to be the IR diode. It won't be see-trough any more as my monitor doesn't have a remote, but it needs to be extended too.

At the end I'll remove some plastic part from the interior and ask a paint shop to make me a custom paint matching the whole interior. It is gray with a little brocade in it so in the sun it's .... shiny. There are other Volvo owners here - they know what I mean.

p.s. my SSD gave up

waiting for a replacement. Hell, how long days are...

**pierrotm777** · 01-06-2013, 03:28 AM

Cool Job :-)

**rray** · 01-06-2013, 10:42 AM

Your screen housing is looking real nice. With the wider screen, is it still going to be moving up and down, or say in the up position?

**VolvoCarPC** · 01-06-2013, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by VolvoCarPC

I'll need to extend the whole plastics + mechanics with approximately 2sm.

Definitely it will move up and down. No question about that. It has to have stock look

It will be hard but I'll mod it.
In fact I'm modding it right now. Just stopped for a cigar-brake and thought "Hey, let's see what's up in the forum"

Mechanics need to be extended with 28 mm. In places where it is possible I'll do this in the middle, but where needed to be done on both sides - both sides by 14mm.
I need to work on (extend) 7 details in the mechanics. Only one of them will let me do this in the middle. So at least 13 extensions will be done. By this moment I got only one done

And it's 22:30 here so i couldn't cut metal any more for today (I live in a flat).

Here in Bulgaria we got a proverb/dictum/adage (don't know which is right) which sounds like:
"Crazy people don't get tired. They just sweat, drink some water and continue doing it the hard way!"

So yes, I should be crazy, but I'm doing it for me (and my kid)

**VolvoCarPC** · 01-13-2013, 04:29 PM

Some progress

Started the extending the mechanics. The major details are done. Some more left for the next weekend.
Pics:

and a video:

**rray** · 01-13-2013, 09:29 PM

Nice progress, I'm glad to see your mechanism is working great. Nice soundtrack on your video too!

**latinmaxima** · 01-14-2013, 05:23 AM

Definitely liking the progress!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**pierrotm777** · 01-14-2013, 07:18 AM

Very fun . I like !!!

**VolvoCarPC** · 01-14-2013, 03:57 PM

One more detail is done:

It looks like a hedgehog but who cares - it won't be visible

This detail is there to make the whole construction stronger and to prevent it from torsion, so it's great (according to me). 1.5mm sheet metal is used (taken from the CD changer in fact). It looks strong, but it feels even stronger (and heavy).
Some little details are left and next step is making a flat ribbon cable so that the controller+LCD+touch moves up/down and in the same time are connected to VGA, AV, reverse signal and USB. 24 pins in total. It won't be easy job, too.

Hell, if someone had told me I'm gonna doing this I wouldn't believe him...
Some more: If someone ask me to do this again, the answer will be NO

However I've started this mod and I'm gonna finish it no matter what!