Carputer
From Fusselman.org
Contents |
Overview
OK, so maybe the Carputer thing isn't so "maybe" after all. I'm not sure I'm going to go the whole touchscreen, full blown route, because I want to have functionality without the PC, in case Becky or someone else is driving. To that end, I'm going to be keeping my factory Monsoon system in it's entirety, and hacking my audio via the CD Changer interface. I'm not quite sure where I'm going to jam a display, but the idea is to remain as stock-looking as possible.
The System Unit
I started with a crappy HP Celery 700 laptop. For Christmas 2009, Mom got me an Intel Atom board that should be able to cope a bit better. It's either dual-core or hyperthreaded, I'm not sure which. It has onboard PCIe video, which turned out to be a huge pain, but now that Windows is installed, it's far superior.
While not really hardware, I found this article about multiple resumes on one hibernate in WinXP Link.
GPS
I'm planning on using (for the moment) my existing Garmin GPS, with a serial cable, and some kind of hack to power it... Either via the pins on the connector, a battery door hack or an added connector. Eventually, I'd probably want a USB solution (especially if I go Mini-ITX, I might not have serial port:
- My existing Garmin eTrex
- 44-channel USB GPS @ Geeks.com
Video
I've basically totally decided that even though my headunit interface doesn't provide CD-TEXT, I wont be swapping it for an in-dash screen. I may, however, bury a screen somewhere else for configuration purposes. I currently own a 14" MAG Technologies (not touchscreen) LCD that takes 12v power, and supports up to 1024x768. If I could find someplace to install that, I'd be in heaven.
Failing that, I'd consider doing a smaller (probably non-touch) on the backside of the driver's visor, in place of the vanity mirror. I've had that apart before and it seems like getting wire down it wouldn't be too bad. Plus, there's already power up there for the mirror lights.
If I were to do that, I'd try to find a Widescreen SVGA+ resolution monitor, to fit the available space. If I could find this Phylon without the touchscreen, that'd be perfect, and about $149 total. Phylon, if you're listening, please send me this touchscreen. I'd love to showcase it in my auto.
Power
I've fought a variety of issues related to power, mostly related to powering the laptop itself. I've hacked up the laptop to give me a connector to the power light as well as the power switch. The light is passed directly to the dash, while the switch is managed by the DIY Automotive Shutdown Controller that I whipped up. I'd initially designed a (more full-featured) DIY Automotive Laptop Power Sequencer, but determined that, as a Diesel, my glow requirements make any sequencer (and supply that wont survive crank) a non-starter. There are so many pus there, I can't even begin...
Presently, I have a switch and LED burried behind the dash; I have a Funk Switch from TDIParts installed, but am not sure how that will come into play, if I spring for the M3-ATX power supply, around $70. The advantage of the M3 is that is has a full sequencer built in: Power on when the car starts, power off (or hibernate) when the car turns off.
For desktop testing, I'm using an old 200w ATX power supply, which lacks the extra +12v connector (what is an Atom doing with all that juice, anyhow?). I whipped up a little adapter to hold me over for now. Yes, I'm aware that they sell those adapters, or a new power supply, but given my impatience to get started and my state of flux over power supply plans, I'd rather not go buying random crap for a test-rig.
