Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

I finally got my parts together for the carpc in the 'bird. I've been lurking over at mp3car.com for a year, and think I have a handle on what I need.

I see myself using the PC for Megasquirt and Baumann display / tuning and listening to music (of course!) along with nav and hopefully handsfree phone. (The phone part looks a bit dicey from what I'm reading in the forums.)

That said, here's the stuff I have acquired:

FOXCONN R30-D2 D510 51S based barebone ($105 including case and PS)

Selected this one for it's 2 serial ports and ps/2 mouse/keyboard to free up USB (supports 8 USB)

MEMORY 2G CRUCIAL CT25664AA800 $35.00
Approved by Foxconn for this MB


Random HDD for now until I can afford a Mushkin SSD  $48.00

Random ps/2 keyboard  $10.00

Windows 7 pro  $40.00 (3 license deal)

Mo-Co-So  Mini Touch 700 7" VGA Touch Screen Monitor  $175.00

Mo-Co-So  M2-ATX 160 Watt Intelligent Power Supply  $65.00

Chinese 25w 12v-5v DC-DC converter and 2- 5v Dynex B4port powered USB hubs (500ma each port)  $25.00 + $22.00

BLUETOOTH ASUS USB-BT211 (Came free with 1/2 height PCI wireless card)

WIRELESS LAN EDIMAX EW-7128G PCI  $20.00

EXT DVD BURNER ROSEWILL ROD-EX001  $35.00

ADESSO GP-410PB TOUCHPAD (ps/2) (Will mount in console in front of armrest)
$35.00

DIRECTED HD w/ MITCH's CABLE  $110.00

For sound I just have some Polk DB5251 5-1/4 speakers for the doors (from a previous purchase) and a pair of tweeters that came with them. I am not too picky about sound so haven't done much on it yet. I want to see how I like the output from the onboard sound before I finalize that part. I do plan on a low-mid end amp and sub, though. Looking for suggestions here.

I plan to use Riderunner software frontend (with voice if W7 gets supported). I'll get a Andrea Superbeam USB mic when that day comes, or if I decide I can integrate my phone.

Need to buy a GPS receiver yet. I can use Mymobiler and my ATT Tilt for now until I get one. The Tilt can supply an internet connection for when I am out of wireless range.

I'm working on the power scheme, and where to ideally mount the parts to work the best.

I want to let the M2 power supply fire a relay for 12v to the 5v converter and monitor brick. I am using the 5v converter to keep the load off the M2. I also plan to include a PC power switch to override the M2 for cold weather and/or short trips. Wiring it this way will keep all the temperature sensitive stuff off until the car can warm up.

More details and pics to come. If you have any questions or comments, fire away!

Wow I feel old and dumb , I read this post twice and I have absolutely no idea what it actually says:wtf::confused:

OK, that was a firehose blast I guess. LOL

Here's what I'm doing.

Carpc install in my 88 turbocoupe. The list above is all the hardware and software bits I'm using.

In short, picture a 7" touchscreen flush mounted in-dash above the heater controls. A notebook-style touchpad with 4 buttons mounted in place of the ashtray for a mouse. The PC mounted under the parcel shelf. A small keyboard under the seat to pull out when necessary.

The car has a 5.0 and single Holset vgt turbo, so I'm using Megasquirt with EDIS for spark and fuel control. That interfaces to the PC via a serial port.  I can display the gauges while driving or use the touchscreen/ keyboard for tuning.

The trans is a 4R70W and it's controlled with a Baumann TCS computer. It interfaces via serial also. I can display and tune it in-car as well.

I'm removing the old premium sound headunit and EQ and using a Directed sound AM/FM/HD radio ported into computer via USB and out through the sound card into amp/amps and on to the speakesrs. All radio functions controlled via the software, or 'frontend'. It's what you see when the computer boots up, like your desktop.

I'll mount a charging station to my dash for my smartphone, which will in turn connect to the PC for internet, GPS and to make handsfree calls ported over the car's speakers. (hopefully)

The rest of the stuff is to get clean regulated DC to the computer and the USB devices.

Hope that makes more sense now.

I got the PC fired up on the bench and it works great initially!  Now to finish the car wiring and get this thing put together.

Much better thank you :)

You are welcome!

I got the frontend software loaded last night and paired my phone over bluetooth. Working on the battery relocation and trunk power wiring today.

 
You're not alone.... Seems like a lot of work to have a PC in your car when everyone has one in their phone nowadays.....

 
huh pc in you phone ya maybe but i would like to see you put 500gig's of music and live music videos files on it lol ;)
unless you like mp3's i dont:yuck:

i have a pc in my car it's quite small and very powerfull and i installed it in my factory cd changer case.

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?28643-installing-the-system-in-the-mark-8&highlight=

i did need any adapters to power anything.
the pc drains less then 10amps more like 5-6 max..
the M4ATX has more then enough ba!!s to power just about anything.
and i can go on the internet in my car. gives a new meaning to downloading on the fly. lol and i just got updated to 4G on my air card
and i use a wireless thumb pad with a track ball
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6077544&CatId=1482

Nick

 

You know, that is VERY true, except for the fact that I need glasses to see my phone. :punchballs: With Mymobiler I can actually display and control my phone with the touchpad over the monitor. Really it's one more reason for me to have it.

Hey Blown306Cougar! Does your NM10 display at 800x480?

i don't believe VGA on the motherboard does must likely it does'nt go lower then 800X600 but i have'nt checked..
the monitor is a 7" USB monitor and comes with display link software to run it.
http://www.mimomonitors.com/

the resolution is very clean it's like looking at a monitor at like 1366X768 or so but in a 7" package.

the only thing is i can't access the bios with it since it only comes on just as windows is booting up.
it is the main monitor in the system.
i was thinking of  installing a monitor in the trunk connected to the VGA so that if i need to do some work on the computer bios i will be able to do so.
i do have a 16" lcd that is ran off of 12volts dc it can with a ac to dc converter to plug into the wall out let. it might find it's way into the car soon.

Nick

I've have been mulling over building a carputer for my WRX for some time now for a permanent engine monitoring/tuning/entertainment solution. For a daily driver, I just can't seem to get over the waiting on Win7 to boot every time I fire up the engine (or someone smashing my windows for it - oh the irony). Even with SSD, it boots pretty  fast, but not that fast (meaning anything other instant - yes, I am that impatient! LOL!). Then again, I'm probably just being petty. And lazy. Or both.

Also, what are the best solutions to avoid a non-cold start situation. It is cold here like... forever. I know they make smart PSUs to avoid such a situation but my gut tells me I should hedge my bets. My commute isn't too short (~20 miles) but with kids involved, you can't take too many chances.

with out taking everything apart here are a few pictures of the carputer in my lincoln..

two more

 

WELL,

I don't have real experience with it yet, but looking at the component ratings they are NOT made for an automotive environment. I have a heated garage, but on the days I come back from a trip to a cold soaked car I expect the entertainment just won't work for a while. In fact I plan to install a shutoff switch until I can wire in a temperature monitoring switch so it won't even try to come online until it is above , say, 30 degrees. I can listen to the engine that long. For that reason I am mounting the PC against the back seats to get cabin warmth/ cooling. I intend to use the rear deck speaker holes for a circulating fan to keep conditioned air moving around the PC.

Other things people do is to wire the PC to a remote's function to start it before they get in the car. You'd need a second small battery to draw from for the time you are cranking the car. At least I would do it that way.

As far as the theft issue, yeah.  I am going to make a false face to put over the monitor if I am somewhere iffy. With a nice 'bird emblem on it of course! Nothing else will really show.

My engine management and tranny computers are made for the automobile and are specced with more robust hardware. My Megasquirted cars have never quit on me, and I have had one in all my DD's for years. I was one of the first group buy guys when MS was a mailing list. The Baumann stuff has a pedigree as well.

That is very clever and neat BlownCouger! Where exactly is that? A trunk? I am not familiar with the Lincoln.

yes that is the trunk and that is the factory cd changer in the factory location ;)


:laughing:

you typed BlownCouger

EEEEEE :rollin:

it's an old joke and it's all on me

Nick

OK, I'll call you Nick! :)

Being in Palm Beach, heat is your only enemy.

BTW, My neighbor and friend goes by BlownShovel on the TurboMustang BB. He has a badass Chevelle and a Megasquirted BMW with a 2.3 turbo engine in it.

I have a PC in my car. It is called the iphone4. LOL

Cool. How does it do tuning the Megasquirt, displaying the wideband, and tuning the transmission computer? How's the HD radio sound through the massive speakers?

If your wife drives the car, does she use your phone?

Seriously, a modern phone can do a lot of things, but it still has some serious limitations, too.

I can see where a phone would be all someone would need, but I'd still have to lug around a laptop. I got tired of cords in the car, too.

it's not bad

when it come's to certain things i got OCD

i defrag all my drives at least 4 times a week for what ever reason i do.
i try to keep resource usage to a minimum..the least as possible.
i like to keep my pc's at around 100 degrees.

my pc in the car runs in the low to mid 120's "core and drives" on a 95+ degree day and on cooler days around 80 degrees and nights it barely gets over 100 degrees and mostly stays around 95-101 degrees.
i talked to a few people and it was said that i would'nt have to worry unless the system hovered around 140-150 constantly for the core and drives..

Nick

it's cool the only reason why i laughed was because you typed "blowncouger"

the reason for the laugh was, back in 2002 when i signed on to the first message board "cougarnuts" i miss typed ie miss spelled cougar and typed "couger" and at the same time i setup an email account and a few account on other message boards. and did'nt realize it untill it was done.. i still use the email account..to this day..

Nick

OK, now I get it. Sorry about the typo. DOH!

PC is still on the bench. I am trying like mad to get the darn Intel GMA 3150 chipset to give me a 800 x 480 resolution. So far I have failed. I'm ready to contact Intel to see if they can help. I want to see how the screen looks on it's native resolution!

what monitor are you using ? is it an vga dvi or usb? and what brand  can you get a link to the monitor your using?

Nick

http://www.mo-co-so.com/Mini-Touch-700-7-VGA-Touch-Screen-Monitor-p/mcs-mt-700.htm


It's called a Minitouch 700. VGA input.

Here's a review page:

http://www.mp3car.com/blogs/144953_Hardware-Review-Mini-Touch-700-7quot-Touchscreen-Monitor.html

i had to install software called display link.

since i'm using a USB monitor


is this the monitor

http://www.xenarc.com/product/700ts.html

if yes call them and ask if they have drivers for it..

they have drivers for the 705TSV

you never now the drivers might be the same

http://www.xenarc.com/download.html

and the Intel GMA 3150 chipset may never let you produce an image that size..

 the GMA 3150 chipset might have a shortcut all it's own and you might be able to get the correct settings from there all so try right clicking  and on monitor settings click advanced see if you can change it there


Nick

Thanks, but tried that. I also tried Powerstrip and trying to manually force a driver. No joy yet. I haven't given up, though.

for whomever commented on cold conditions, a heater mat might help but they draw current based on the temp settings.
We have heater mats on our 48v battery strings when they are in outdoor situations. 

their operational range is 12-60vdc.

Nice work Nick on the puter in the cd changer box.
i have the original documentation on that beasty, seems many of us got that same unit factory installed,,or dealer installed when they were new.
It appears there isnt consistency in thier location as mine is on the right pass side, some have been mounted in the center up under the package ledge in the trunk,,off the floor.

The monitor fits the stack with no more than some plastic grinding. Took about 15-20 minutes to get this done. Sorry the last pic is blurry.