E39 carputer

**redbullah** · 04-04-2006, 08:00 AM

Hi everyone,
I am starting here finally my own worklog after sniffing around and collecting information.

This is my first serious thread and i will put some photos as soon as got some.

don't drink and drive

Uh Uh Uh, You didn't say the magic word !

Car Blue BMW e39 "00" 525 TD

Functions at the moment:

GPS
DVD
MP3

Future functions :(once i get the basic system work)

-XM
-External TV Tuner
-Bluetooth Phone adaptor
-Maybe a rearview cam not sure about it. I may also install a parking sensor set in my ashtray instead of a cam. They look more handy.

Lets check out my configuration first;

PC internal:

40gb 2.5" hdd:
I found a second hand hdd on internet which is much cheaper than new one.

No cd or dvd drive:
I don't want to see cd and dvd covers everywhere so i am going to use an usual cd-rom for installation.

1xDDR 256Mb PC2100 266mhz ram memory:
Just to begin. I will see something bigger later on.

Via M10000 mobo
C3 Nemessiah CPU 1Ghz

3.5" 2.5" HDD Adaptor

M2ATX psu 160W: Shutdown control, DC/DC, prevents amp startup noise.
very cool thing.

The CASE:

Morex Cubid 3688 case with stock 62W DC/DC adaptor

The screen:

7" 16:9 Touchscreen VGA

External hardware:

Navilock GPS Mouse

Car2PC audio adaptor with Ibus adaptor: This adaptor allows me use my stock amp and steerwheel buttons on my carpc which is wonderful.

Ipod 202gig: I will transport data between home and my car with my old ipod. That's why i'am not going to use cd or dvd drive. By doing that can save some extra watts.

Ibus adaptor: If car2pc ibus adaptor is not satisfying i will use additionally this amazing ibus adaptor too for some extra options. I bought this one from www.resler.de . I know he doesn't look so smart but yes he is.

As soon as i have the first pictures of installation i'll post them.
Thanks for watching.

**redbullah** · 04-04-2006, 01:26 PM

I ve been exploring the trunk today.

First is first:
Cut the electricity totally before the installation by unplugging the battery ground (brown cable).

There is a dark point;
1. I have two batteries. One in the trunk and one in the engine. Am i supposed to unplug both of them or just one in the trunk.

First think i am going to do is remove cd changer and use the socket for my carpc. That socket includes all the cables i need, ignition, 12v batt, ibus, ground and amp remote port (i seems so lemme know if it is not).

After that operation my pc will work after i connect my M2Atx and Car2PC adaptor.
Second operation is removing the HU.
I will remove the business casette and put my 7" tft screen in double din without the housing. It is supposed to fit. I'll leave the radio but put it behind the dash. Probably there will be also a socket with necessary connections for my screen and second PSU(acc +12V, -12V via HU). As you see my case contains also a psu (62W) which is gonna be used for the screen.

There are still three dark points at this step;
1. If i remove the radio how am i supposed to switch between pc and radio that are used to be managed by radio unit? I really didn't get this part.
2. There are some buttons under my screen. I don't know if i can put them somewhere else.
3. Will just a parallel ignition 12V connection from HU to screens psu be enough?

After my screen is ready to be powered up i will connect pc to my screen.
For this step i'll need 1 usb cable for Touchscreen, 1 VGA for my screen, one cable to the driver side headrest for microphone, one audio/video extension cable for the tv tuner later.

After this step my carpc is supposed to work.

Any opinion or silly question will be greatly appreciated...

**e39dream** · 04-06-2006, 11:56 PM

I'm pretty much at the same exact stages redbullah- just installed car2pc adapter behind tape deck and tested audio input with friends ipod. Sounds great- signal is same or louder than fm!

Just put in dc-dc power supply in case tonite- afraid to hook it to car for now. I'm going to start a more detailed work log for hte better of e39 car pcs wordwide. heres a link to my madness: another e39 install- this one has a budget :(

**redbullah** · 04-07-2006, 09:25 AM

It looks cool. You have a prewired phone console i see.
My car is not pre wired for phone and has a normal armrest. That's why i will put a bluetooth adaptor in trunk and a cable to the headrest for the microphone.
I disassembled a headphone and removed everything except the microphone. Now if someone calls i have to pull the micro from top to my face.

i installed my car2pc too but i was a bit confused about the wires marked with a color code. According to manual there should be three cables (red, blue and black i think) but i have 4 cables and the 4'th cable is not labeled with a color. I thought it could be ground and you can't damage anything even if it's not supposed to be connected to ground. Sound works fine but didn't have chance to try the ibus functions.

**e39dream** · 04-07-2006, 10:26 AM

Hi again redbullah- My car2pc adapter had 4 wires as well (thin, stranded wires with little blue and red tags) but two of those wires were twisted together when I got the package, essentially making 3 connections with the t-tap clips. - I THINK they were the grounds- as long as it passes audio it should be hooked up ok. Yeah- I don't think theres a single e39 in the USA that isn't prewired for phone. It's kind of a joke over here because most people don't/can't use it because of the old phone it came with- I just went in and figured out how to run my gear from the bmw harness.

**redbullah** · 04-19-2006, 06:31 AM

I can't remove the headunit casue my amp is located there and also car2pc adaptor needs hu pinout. So i just pasted the screen on my dash like a lame *** tuner.

I am still waiting for some technic assistance of my brother.

**e39dream** · 04-19-2006, 01:09 PM

don't fret redbullah- I'm essentially right at the same stage- I want my screen in but need to keep hu for obvious reasons. I think I am going to relocate the tape portion of the hu to the trunk by extending its wires. Then I plan to make a manual slide out, flip down mount for the screen that hides under tapedeck flap when not in use. My good friend owns a nice milling machine and I will be having him machine the mount from stainless steel or alu. If it comes out as hoped perhaps I can make and send you one too. Mark

**Sierran** · 05-03-2006, 08:18 PM

Woohoo, I'm gonna jump in like a fool. I have a '99 540i, and I'm considering putting a Mac Mini in it (yes, yes, I know :-)) The only thing stopping me - trying to figure out how to get iBus connectivity between the Mac Mini and the IBus, since there's no serial on the Mac Mini. Have any of you intrepid explorers found a way to connect a USB port to I-Bus? I just want the computer to be able to handle switching between the regular nav computer (which is staying in the car) and the Mini on the nav system console - I figured I'd connect the Mini via a TV adaptor or some such.

Am I crazy?

EDIT: Oh wait, I'm an idiot who didn't Google, the Car2PC does USB. Um. Sorry about that.
/me goes to read more like a humbled idiot.

**redbullah** · 05-04-2006, 03:36 AM

Originally Posted by Sierran

Woohoo, I'm gonna jump in like a fool. I have a '99 540i, and I'm considering putting a Mac Mini in it (yes, yes, I know :-)) The only thing stopping me - trying to figure out how to get iBus connectivity between the Mac Mini and the IBus, since there's no serial on the Mac Mini. Have any of you intrepid explorers found a way to connect a USB port to I-Bus? I just want the computer to be able to handle switching between the regular nav computer (which is staying in the car) and the Mini on the nav system console - I figured I'd connect the Mini via a TV adaptor or some such.

Am I crazy?

EDIT: Oh wait, I'm an idiot who didn't Google, the Car2PC does USB. Um. Sorry about that.
/me goes to read more like a humbled idiot.

i'm affraid there is no ibus software for mac.
You can switch between carpc and nav without any adaptor. If you have car2pc adaptor installed in your car, carpc will appear as cd-player.

**redbullah** · 05-13-2006, 04:50 PM

I've taken some pictures tonight. The first goal is reached, software's work flawless but the installation is still not satisfying since my screen looks like an idiot's toy. I can't find the right location for screen. I am currently designing a screen and mini keyboard housing with usb hub "hold on" which is gonna be made later on by a cnc-table. I am also not satisfied with carpc's location. I was going to drill some holes in the gray hairy surface and fasten the pc where is it located right now but it seems easier than it is. That's why i deicided to move my carpc to top of trunk close to back of seats.

Software work cool but there is still one little tinny point. I can't send any text to my mid via ibus adaptor. I am using sama's scrolling ibus example. I am almost sure about the settings. I can use and track any ibus event on ibuscomm but nothing on mid. I'll work on it later.

So let see the first images,