Project: Computer!

[SmesWorld]

guess this dosnt realy quallify as a project...but it kinda is...

I'm working on installing a home PC in my 245.
So far iv run the wireing, installed (semi-permanently) an inverter, and the powersupply...oh ya, and glued the power button an thinkin light in to my glove box and my hard-drive cooler in the glovebox as well...

I'll see about posting pics later...once i get some more parts assembled...

[1stRaven]

as an idea, but why dont you get a 12v psu. They make psu's for use in pc's mounting in cars. It can tell what start the car is in, so when its running, the pc is powered up. When the car is turned off, the pc automatically goes into standby.

[SmesWorld]

hmmm...not a bad idea...but then id have to wire in to the ignition an i wouldnt be able to override it to use the PC while the cars off...

how/where does the psu wire in?

[1stRaven]

check out here http://linitx.com/index.php?cPath=24_58

[JW240]

on www.mp3car.com is a lot of info about building a PC into a car.

using a inverter with a computer power supply usually gives problems.

here is a lot of info: http://www.aaroncake.net/projects/mp3player.htm

JW

[SmesWorld]

hmmm...well i did some reading on there an aparently if your looking for over 200W your going to need an inverter ne way....an since iv already got one...
im going to have to do some experiments with it to see how well its regulated...an dig out the specs to see what kind of power regulation its got...

thanks for the links, great source of info

[RvolvoR]

inverters are a royal pain in the ass, trust me, just go with the 12v PSU

[SmesWorld]

how are they a pain? other than the whole reboot on car start...which im not too concerned about cause i dont plan on running it with the car off...

[RvolvoR]

if you arent too concerned with running it with the car off, then why not do a 12v PSU. Additionally, the inverter will add A LOT of "noise" to the signal running to the head unit, plus you will have to wire up buttons for what would be the power button on the case. its a pain, ive done it both ways, it was MUCH easier with the 12v PSU i got off on ebay for like $40

[SmesWorld]

lol, as far as wireing buttons up iv already got em installed in my glove box...

and i think it would be an equal pain to have to figure out how to wire the power plug for my mother board...as that is kinda atached to the supply that came with the comp (an from past exp there not always compatable...specialy older ones...)

i think im going to mock it up in the garage an see how it performs as iv got all the parts for an inverter version (i just need a hard drive to load with music...)

[RvolvoR]

thats cool, but i used one of the 12v ones off ebay on my 450 PIII MB from 97-98 and it worked purrrfecto

[tequila_gundam_no_chaser]

trust what they're saying. Go with a 12v psu. I've been running a 400mhz dell in my trunk for years off a 400w inverter and it adds ALOT of noise. Go with the 12v. The reboot during startup is also annoying. One other thing to consider is the fact that if you have serious voltage drop, it will reset your pc, or the pc will not come on at all. I am going 12v as soon as its affordable, and am going to put a larger (read: non-volvo) alternator in my car. Volvo alternators SUCK

[SmesWorld]

when you say noise, to you mean nosie on the system, ie. voltage spikes? or physical noise in teh car?

[tequila_gundam_no_chaser]

when you say noise, to you mean nosie on the system, ie. voltage spikes? or physical noise in teh car?

Electrical noise will be generated and picked up by the inverter, then played through your speakers. When you play music, it will be quite audible. I get around it by using a pair of noise filters, resistored spark plugs and an amp with a very low gain on it and very low volume control. Seems to reduce the buzz most of the time, but it is still there. The 12v psu eliminates the buzz entirely.

[SmesWorld]

ok well were expirienceing technical diffs...the comps not booting properly...god damn windows and its creator!

will update on noise as soon as i can get the sucker to boot...

[CoconutColin]

carputer!!! I will be doing this in the future i need a screen

[volvo9]

I had a carputer in my previus car, I installed it mainly for mp3's and navigation, but it turned into mainly a novelty, it was too much of a distraction to use it while driving.

http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/comp1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/comp3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~volvo9/face.jpg

[1stRaven]

Now that looks nice!