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1.8K views 33 replies 11 participants last post by  Baracus  
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#1 ·
I have been toying with the idea of building a small computer to power a screen that will fit where the airbag cover sits.

The computer needs to be minimal and small to fit behind the dash, all solid state (No HDDs or CDs).

The computer will process inputs from various sensors around the car (Outside temp, inside temp, Coolant temp and level, radiator temp and anything else I can think of) and display them real time on the lcd screen.

A converted palm type computer may do the trick, but the last thing I want is a full blown laptop. Although, saying that, I do have a small old one sitting upstairs with win 3.11 on it. Hmmmm.

Does anybody have any experience in this area or know any useful links, hardware/software needed?
 
L
#5 ·
i've got the gubbins from a Mini-ITX system knocking about, with onboard support for PCMCIA wifi card, and compactflash (I think). I have been thinking of doing something with it, but never got round to it yet.

Let us know how you get on though! :)
 
C
#9 ·
Good man, yes to all of it.

I need to know what operating system to use. While I dislike windows it is familiar and easy to use. Linux I have dabbled with and didn't even manage to learn how to install a new piece of hardware. How do you interface many sensors into one port. What software can you get to create a nice, professional interface. etc etc.
 
G
#10 ·
CPC or Maplins do a USB interface kit with about half a dozen controllable inputs and outputs, very simimar to the old computer controlled project kits you could buy or build back in the 80's for the Beeb Micro and suchlike.
 
L
#13 ·
well the system i have used in the past have been micro atx boards, and a small computer housed in the boot or glove box, as for operating system this is pretty much dependant upon the requirements of the system to begin with, for you situation i wud suggest linux and a interface system called..

road runner this allows the front end to look very nice and be touch screen interactive..

as for the sensors they wud need to be coded into the operating program if you wanted to control them, or if u wud just like a digital read out this can be achieved by a adapting the existing road running system which already has commited sections for inputs such as,

G meter.
temp gauge
speed /rev counter

this interface also allows the user to add additational systems to the program like sat nav and music players., rear view cams etc


you have my email address if you need any more info or help just give me an email or sumit..
 
L
#15 ·
linux wil run on a very basic computer as for the interface or (frontal screen) you see this will require at least a few meg of ram like 512 or 256 but this is totally depandant upon what you wanting the system to do you will only need memory about that of 256 if your wanting to play mp3's or anything like that if your just lookin to run the system and out put sensor info then you will only need a very low spec system ! i.e 128 486 wud do the job..
 
C
#16 ·
All it needs to do is convert the inputs into a nice graphical output. Ideally temps etc could be shown as bar graphs gradiated from green to red so a quick glance will tell you if anything is wrong.
 
C
#18 ·
Cheers for that. I think it will be a little while off yet, I was just testing the water first to see if anyone had done similar. Now I have some ideas and some contacts. Might start playing with my old half dead laptop as a test bed. Cheers.
 
G
#19 ·
sorry for bumping an old thread here, but this might be of some interest

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/Article_CarPC.html

Considered posting info on this here a while ago but didn't want to 'pimp' in case it treaded on any toes - I work at the store, and it's my TF that was used as a testbed for the CarPC products. But seeing as it's already being discussed I'm sure there's no harm. :)

The article will be updated soon using the full commercial release of the Centrafuse front-end and also showing info on hooking up other devices like OBDII engine management and reversing cameras.
 
C
#20 ·
Hmmm. Keep me updated please.

I have most of the functions that I kneed already through my AVIC-X1bt and an ipod nano but I would like to be able to display live data from ODB or external sensors.

Image
 
B
#21 ·
i've been looking into this for sometime now myself

basically building a real pc (small) but will run windows XP and have a big HDD to store everything, i want the new centre console so i can adapt a double din screen with dvd rom behind it and running on xp will be a front end i already have downloaded and fully tested

it will run hands free phone via bluetooth, and the ODBII running through it too. other things also running through it also like usb radio and a few other bits

i've actually got most of it made up ready to go, all i need now is the double din touch screen and i'm just about ready to go

the only thing that's stopped me so far actually finishing this is

1. i need the 2nd console to custom build the slot for the screen then spray it up

2. i keep spending on other stuff for the car

anyway can't wait to finish it one day :)
 
B
#23 ·
Rather than go through all this again as i have done on my own forums starting back in April 2k6 to present time discussion i thought it would be easier to post the links what we've discussed and found

it started off with just a flip screen and then went into double din full pc spec with everything added, as i say i have most stuff readily available to make the build exept the actual double din screen yet cos i keep buying other things instead

Here's the link if you wanna flick through it, if you go far enough into it you will see the front end i have downloaded for it ready which is "Roadrunner" and does everything, i have it on my pc and laptop fully tested to install onto the car pc :)

http://www.phoenixlans.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=738.0
 
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#27 ·
Herbie said:
It's amazing how it was done, I'd deffo destroyed it :lol:
http://www.muenzenhofer.de/Mittelkonsole.htm

He took this screen: http://www.cartft.com/carpc/catalog/il/121
:yikes: expensive modification ... app € 2 - 2,5 K he summarized
Click to expand...

I had a similar thing planned but by removing the clocks instead, prob get rid of the clock and move the oil gauge to the right hand pillar in a pod

the screen looks quite cool though :) although i did see a screen with a DVD Rom drive behind it otherwise it's gonna be hard to fit a DVD drive
 
B
#30 ·
yeah i thought about the vibration, I work with pc's quite alot as you can probably tell with my link, when i do the custom pc it will all be hard wired securely rather than any plugs and most things floating to stop vibration, i've looked into many ways of mounting the pc and the HDD's so there will be no vibration :) esp in a car like a TF, the anti vibration is a must
 
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#31 ·
Baracus said:
yeah i thought about the vibration, I work with pc's quite alot as you can probably tell with my link, when i do the custom pc it will all be hard wired securely rather than any plugs and most things floating to stop vibration, i've looked into many ways of mounting the pc and the HDD's so there will be no vibration :) esp in a car like a TF, the anti vibration is a must
Click to expand...
I would hope so. But many people forget the connectors. I would source different connectors that screw together. Also being in the footwell, the passenger is bound to catch the cabling at some point.
 
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