Bugbyte's 2001 New Beetle -Mac Mini Install

**bellerophon** · 06-13-2005, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

I've used Great Stuff before, around the house, but it dries to be sort of hard. Do they make a version that stays flexible?

The window and door jamb great stuff dries much softer. Its made not to expand the jambs as much and allow for movement.

**bellerophon** · 06-13-2005, 01:50 PM

If you feel like driving to College Park, MD during the day or Upper Marlboro, MD during the afternoon I can give you some 1/8 or 1/4 inch one sided foam tape. Have tons of the stuff.

**noizmonkey** · 06-13-2005, 07:48 PM

have you thought about some dynaliner? www.dynamat.com

you could just apply it to the exterior of your plexi box, the thickness should fill all your gaps and it's heat resistant to about 225F

**Bugbyte** · 06-18-2005, 01:46 AM

I implemented the solution to the power wire problem that I sketched out a couple of posts ago.

I took two ballpoint pen springs and soldered wires to them. I drilled holes in the dock and embedded the springs in the dock. Then, I took two brass grommets that are used to mount radio controlled airplace servos and filled them with solder and a wire. I drilled a hole in the back of the Mini where the springs touch and then glued them in place on the Mini.

I soldered the power wire pigtail to the wires coming out of the grommets and was finished. I then docked the Mini and tested it for continuity with my voltmeter on both wires. It worked great!

I gotta say, I thought this was an inspired solution. Especially since I completely boneheadedly overlooked the problem to begin with. Here's some pics:

Here's the dock with the ballpoint pen springs mounted in it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I drilled through the bottom of the plexiglas heat shield I built and tapped screws through it and ever so slightly into the bottom of each plug in the dock. That should keep them from coming out!

**NeckPayne** · 07-05-2005, 06:06 PM

I read your post on another thread...now I'm curious. Where you at? Looks pretty sweet so far!!

**Bugbyte** · 07-06-2005, 09:56 AM

Haven't been able to work on it for the last two weekends! Out of town both weeks. As you can see, I'm nearing the actual install of the dock and that's why I'm thinking about my options for the audio output.

I'll have a chance to work on it a bit this weekend. I've got to fiddle with how to make sure the heater ductwork doesn't blow into the Mini enclosure, so that's what I'll concentrate on this Saturday or Sunday.

Once that's complete, I'll be taking the covers off the top of the dash to see if there's enough room to bury the P1900 PSU and perhaps the headunit/amp or whatever I figure out to do.

Final assembly is still about 3 weeks away, if I can work on it at least one solid day per weekend. I usually understimate, so 6 weeks is probably a better guess! I'm getting really antsy about having the box just sitting in my basement without doing anything so that's motivating me.

**thecolor** · 07-06-2005, 12:19 PM

right where you have the binary code on your sunroof avatar, you should install a solar panel (inside of course) between the glass and fabric cover in the car. A perect solution to recharging or day time seperate power source.

Someone makes 2 side by side 8 1/2 x 11 panels to power laptops. That would fit perfect.

**jzgt** · 07-06-2005, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by thecolor

right where you have the binary code on your sunroof avatar, you should install a solar panel (inside of course) between the glass and fabric cover in the car. A perect solution to recharging or day time seperate power source.

Someone makes 2 side by side 8 1/2 x 11 panels to power laptops. That would fit perfect.

I think VWs and Audis come from the factory with little solar power panels that attach to the window with suction cups and plug into the cig. lighter. The dealer removes them when they get the car. If you know someone at a dealership, you could probably get one. I'm not sure what the output is but I am sure it wouldn't power the PC but it would charge the battery during parking time.

- Jeff