months later, finally pics of my 3G TL carPC
10-19-2005, 06:05 PM
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months later, finally pics of my 3G TL carPC
I relocated the OEM LCD below the radio and put a 7" touchscreen monitor in it's place. Built into the glovebox, the computer has two fans circulating air to and from the cabin. I have a GPS module on the dash and a Wi-Fi adaptor tucked under the sunvisor. I have easy access to my navigation system, approximately 500 full albums of mp3s, pictures, about 4000 video games played via playstation controllers. The power supply delays the startup, initiates the shutdown procedure, regulates voltage, monitors the car battery voltage, and provides clean DC-DC power.
When moving the screen:
1) I had to extend four harnesses that totalled 44 wires- so that's 88 solder points.
2) The OEM LCD consists of a board with two lcd screens. The rear AC vent ducts run right below that storage compartment, so I had to trim the edges of the board to get a good fit. I'd say that I probably cut about 1/4" off of the two bottom corners.
3) The OEM LCD board is hidden by plastic that currently exists over your non-navi screen. Since I would be cutting this plastic out for the Xenarc, I had to make a cover for the LCDs new location. I used 1/8" plexiglass cut to fit the location where the storage compartments used to exist. After measuring and taping off for the LCDs, I sprayed painted it black to hide the board.
Pics below...
Thanks to:
moahdib- your project gave me motivation to get started
Darrell- for the games
Chris- for use of your garage (and tools) before I had one
Christian(gf)- for your tolerance during this project
mp3car.com & acurazine.com- two of my favorite forums
When moving the screen:
1) I had to extend four harnesses that totalled 44 wires- so that's 88 solder points.
2) The OEM LCD consists of a board with two lcd screens. The rear AC vent ducts run right below that storage compartment, so I had to trim the edges of the board to get a good fit. I'd say that I probably cut about 1/4" off of the two bottom corners.
3) The OEM LCD board is hidden by plastic that currently exists over your non-navi screen. Since I would be cutting this plastic out for the Xenarc, I had to make a cover for the LCDs new location. I used 1/8" plexiglass cut to fit the location where the storage compartments used to exist. After measuring and taping off for the LCDs, I sprayed painted it black to hide the board.
Pics below...
PHASE I - Testing
First case design 20GB desktop hard drive.
Acrylic adhesive not strong enough
Preview of the case redesign.
Acrylic sides replaced with nuts and bolts.
Testing fitment in glovebox.
OEM screen on left still intact- this will be relocated
Testing software. Originally used MediaCar frontend until I tried Road Runner.
Got my 7" touchscreen monitor!
Installed. 22 hours straight, no food, no sleep
Phase II - Completion
Case redesigned in old home amplifier stripped of parts.
Mini-keyboard on left.
Fan pulling cool air into glovebox from bottom right.
Fan blowing hot air out from bottom left.
booting up...Xenarc up top and OEM screen relocated below radio.
usb extension runs above the visor for wireless internet adapter.
Shot of Road Runner interface in action.
Wireless internet adapter behind visor
board.jpg
Epia Via M10000 motherboard: mini-itx form factor
parts_estimate.jpg
Estimate of hardware purchased.
more pics of the car completed screen
First case design 20GB desktop hard drive.
Acrylic adhesive not strong enough
Preview of the case redesign.
Acrylic sides replaced with nuts and bolts.
Testing fitment in glovebox.
OEM screen on left still intact- this will be relocated
Testing software. Originally used MediaCar frontend until I tried Road Runner.
Got my 7" touchscreen monitor!
Installed. 22 hours straight, no food, no sleep
Phase II - Completion
Case redesigned in old home amplifier stripped of parts.
Mini-keyboard on left.
Fan pulling cool air into glovebox from bottom right.
Fan blowing hot air out from bottom left.
booting up...Xenarc up top and OEM screen relocated below radio.
usb extension runs above the visor for wireless internet adapter.
Shot of Road Runner interface in action.
Wireless internet adapter behind visor
board.jpg
Epia Via M10000 motherboard: mini-itx form factor
parts_estimate.jpg
Estimate of hardware purchased.
more pics of the car completed screen
Thanks to:
moahdib- your project gave me motivation to get started
Darrell- for the games
Chris- for use of your garage (and tools) before I had one
Christian(gf)- for your tolerance during this project
mp3car.com & acurazine.com- two of my favorite forums
10-19-2005, 06:10 PM
#2
Youse Gots Sacked
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months later, finally pics of my 3G TL carPC
i don't know if its just my PC...but i can't see the computers...but if they are down...POST UP NEW ONES AGAIN! because i really want to see what this looks like!!! PRONTO!
10-19-2005, 06:44 PM
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I relocated the OEM LCD below the radio and put a 7" touchscreen monitor in it's place. Built into the glovebox, the computer has two fans circulating air to and from the cabin. I have a GPS module on the dash and a Wi-Fi adaptor tucked under the sunvisor. I have easy access to my navigation system, approximately 500 full albums of mp3s, pictures, about 4000 video games played via playstation controllers. The power supply delays the startup, initiates the shutdown procedure, regulates voltage, monitors the car battery voltage, and provides clean DC-DC power.
When moving the screen:
1) I had to extend four harnesses that totalled 44 wires- so that's 88 solder points.
2) The OEM LCD consists of a board with two lcd screens. The rear AC vent ducts run right below that storage compartment, so I had to trim the edges of the board to get a good fit. I'd say that I probably cut about 1/4" off of the two bottom corners.
3) The OEM LCD board is hidden by plastic that currently exists over your non-navi screen.
Since I would be cutting this plastic out for the Xenarc, I had to make a cover for the LCDs new location. I used 1/8" plexiglass cut to fit the location where the storage compartments used to exist. After measuring and taping off for the LCDs, I sprayed painted it black to hide the board.
Pics below...
Thanks to:
moahdib- your project gave me motivation to get started
Darrell- for the games
Chris- for use of your garage (and tools) before I had one
Christian(gf)- for your tolerance during this project
mp3car.com & acurazine.com- two of my favorite forums
When moving the screen:
1) I had to extend four harnesses that totalled 44 wires- so that's 88 solder points.
2) The OEM LCD consists of a board with two lcd screens. The rear AC vent ducts run right below that storage compartment, so I had to trim the edges of the board to get a good fit. I'd say that I probably cut about 1/4" off of the two bottom corners.
3) The OEM LCD board is hidden by plastic that currently exists over your non-navi screen.
Since I would be cutting this plastic out for the Xenarc, I had to make a cover for the LCDs new location. I used 1/8" plexiglass cut to fit the location where the storage compartments used to exist. After measuring and taping off for the LCDs, I sprayed painted it black to hide the board.
Pics below...
PHASE I - Testing
First case design 20GB desktop hard drive.
Acrylic adhesive not strong enough
Preview of the case redesign.
Acrylic sides replaced with nuts and bolts.
Testing fitment in glovebox.
OEM screen on left still intact- this will be relocated
Testing software. Originally used MediaCar frontend until I tried Road Runner.
Got my 7" touchscreen monitor!
Installed. Worked 22 hours straight on this...took a break at 7am on Saturday morning to wash the car while I waited for Radio Shack to open so I could get what I needed for the audio piece.
Phase II - Completion
Case redesigned in old home amplifier stripped of parts.
Mini-keyboard on left.
Fan pulling cool air into glovebox from bottom right.
Fan blowing hot air out from bottom left.
booting up...Xenarc up top and OEM screen relocated below radio.
usb extension runs above the visor for wireless internet adapter.
Shot of Road Runner interface in action.
Wireless internet adapter behind visor
Epia Via M10000 motherboard: mini-itx form factor
Estimate of hardware purchased.
more pics of the car completed screen
First case design 20GB desktop hard drive.
Acrylic adhesive not strong enough
Preview of the case redesign.
Acrylic sides replaced with nuts and bolts.
Testing fitment in glovebox.
OEM screen on left still intact- this will be relocated
Testing software. Originally used MediaCar frontend until I tried Road Runner.
Got my 7" touchscreen monitor!
Installed. Worked 22 hours straight on this...took a break at 7am on Saturday morning to wash the car while I waited for Radio Shack to open so I could get what I needed for the audio piece.
Phase II - Completion
Case redesigned in old home amplifier stripped of parts.
Mini-keyboard on left.
Fan pulling cool air into glovebox from bottom right.
Fan blowing hot air out from bottom left.
booting up...Xenarc up top and OEM screen relocated below radio.
usb extension runs above the visor for wireless internet adapter.
Shot of Road Runner interface in action.
Wireless internet adapter behind visor
Epia Via M10000 motherboard: mini-itx form factor
Estimate of hardware purchased.
more pics of the car completed screen
Thanks to:
moahdib- your project gave me motivation to get started
Darrell- for the games
Chris- for use of your garage (and tools) before I had one
Christian(gf)- for your tolerance during this project
mp3car.com & acurazine.com- two of my favorite forums
10-19-2005, 06:52 PM
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Youse Gots Sacked
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OH...MY...GOD.....that is one of the craziest installs for a CAR PC ive ever seen...i think you should relocate the wifi adapter somewhere else tho. i think u could pull out an additional USB port having one solely for the WIFI Adapter and then one so u could put MP3's and stuff on there...AWESOME INSTALL!!! 22 hours..wow
10-19-2005, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by NFLblitze1
OH...MY...GOD.....that is one of the craziest installs for a CAR PC ive ever seen...i think you should relocate the wifi adapter somewhere else tho. i think u could pull out an additional USB port having one solely for the WIFI Adapter and then one so u could put MP3's and stuff on there...AWESOME INSTALL!!! 22 hours..wow
but always welcome to ideas.
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10-20-2005, 07:29 AM
#13
Racer
Nice job man. 
I just helped a friend install a Carputer into his first gen TL. We mounted the screen on a Goose neck for now until he decides to replace the stock head unit with the screen.
Can you post a pic of the OEM screen that you mounted below?
I just helped a friend install a Carputer into his first gen TL. We mounted the screen on a Goose neck for now until he decides to replace the stock head unit with the screen.Can you post a pic of the OEM screen that you mounted below?
10-20-2005, 08:03 AM
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Thanks, everybody. I can't make up my mind what I want to do next
I don't have any good shots of the screen below...probably b/c I don't really pay that much attention to it..lol
-North Druid Hills
That was my goal from the beginning...keep it low key
Don't need any kind of adapter. All I would need to do is unplug the sound card and plug in an iPod.
I think I saw that thread yesterday. Looks good! Will look even better with the screen in the dash. I didn't want to put mine in the trunk for several reasons. I figured it'd be easier to work on in the glovebox. Less cabling = no worries about any type of signal degradation. No carpet or seat removal = lots of time saved.
Originally Posted by dan.....k
Can I see a better pic of the screen under the radio?
Where in the Atlanta are you?
Where in the Atlanta are you?
-North Druid Hills
Originally Posted by I1Money
Surfing the internet while driving a stick, you the man! I bet other people think you "just" have the OEM Navi by the screen.
I bet other people think you "just" have the OEM Navi by the screen.
Originally Posted by Kubrus
what about an ipod adapter :P
Originally Posted by shalinz
Nice job man. I just helped a friend install a Carputer into his first gen TL. We mounted the screen on a Goose neck for now until he decides to replace the stock head unit with the screen. Can you post a pic of the OEM screen that you mounted below?
I just helped a friend install a Carputer into his first gen TL. We mounted the screen on a Goose neck for now until he decides to replace the stock head unit with the screen. Can you post a pic of the OEM screen that you mounted below?
10-20-2005, 09:34 AM
#16
Racer
^^^ What about the song/artist/station information for XM, the display for the normal radio/CD, and the bluetooth that used to show up? Have you got that working with the carputer, or do you have that showing on the stock screen that you mounted below?
10-20-2005, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by shalinz
^^^ What about the song/artist/station information for XM, the display for the normal radio/CD, and the bluetooth that used to show up? Have you got that working with the carputer, or do you have that showing on the stock screen that you mounted below?
10-20-2005, 10:31 AM
#19
Racer
Originally Posted by ITL
All stock functionality still exists and shows up as it always did on the OEM screen that was relocated below the radio. I disconnected the XM to use the input; however, it would only take a simple relay to have both XM and the carPC- I'm just not really crazy about XM.
10-20-2005, 11:40 AM
#21
Columbia Univ. c/o 2004
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Curious does all the factory options still function like normal? Like does the climate control, XM radio, regular tuning and volume nobs and what have you operate as normal or do you have to use the new menu display. As you can see from my questions, I'm really new to this "carputer" technology and your efforts have me curious about its effectiveness and ease of use. Either way, compliments on the fine work.
10-20-2005, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by shalinz
Wasn't paying attention to the pic you posted. I can see it now. Didn't realize you removed both storage bins and put the whole stock display down there. Very nice.
10-20-2005, 12:59 PM
#23
Racer
Originally Posted by architectonic
Whoa, so I guess the climate control and the other factory features do work as usual. I just noticed the original display was relocated to the bottom.
10-20-2005, 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by architectonic
Whoa, so I guess the climate control and the other factory features do work as usual. I just noticed the original display was relocated to the bottom.
...and I'd like to say thanks to Fred for the amplifier that was gutted and used as a case for the carPC
10-21-2005, 10:40 AM
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I saw this in person at the ATL acurazine meet. Very slick install!
I told myself that since I got the NAVI I wouldn't bother with a carpc this time, but everytime I see moahdib or ITL's install it makes me reconsider.
The thing I miss the most from my old carpc is the mp3 support. Plus, its also just a lot of fun to tweak with new software and hardware. I'm holding out to see what Acura has planned for the iPod interface before reconsidering a carpc.
My old install: 03 Infiniti Qx4 carpc
I told myself that since I got the NAVI I wouldn't bother with a carpc this time, but everytime I see moahdib or ITL's install it makes me reconsider.
The thing I miss the most from my old carpc is the mp3 support. Plus, its also just a lot of fun to tweak with new software and hardware. I'm holding out to see what Acura has planned for the iPod interface before reconsidering a carpc.
My old install: 03 Infiniti Qx4 carpc
10-21-2005, 10:56 AM
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Nice Install
Considering you're an Auburn guy, I'm surprised you didn't install an RJ-45 jack and get a long network cable. :dog: J/K
Nice install. I'm impressed with people's ingenuity on a daily basis.
Oh yeah - I'll apologize for LSU beating you in advance.
Nice install. I'm impressed with people's ingenuity on a daily basis.
Oh yeah - I'll apologize for LSU beating you in advance.
10-21-2005, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by bzss7x
Considering you're an Auburn guy, I'm surprised you didn't install an RJ-45 jack and get a long network cable. :dog: J/K
Nice install. I'm impressed with people's ingenuity on a daily basis.
Oh yeah - I'll apologize for LSU beating you in advance.
Nice install. I'm impressed with people's ingenuity on a daily basis.
Oh yeah - I'll apologize for LSU beating you in advance.
Funny that you comment b/c I do have an RJ-45 jack by the passenger's right foot. It keeps me from having to open the glovebox to connect to my LAN in my garage
Let's just wait til Saturday night for that. btw, it's GO Tigers...what does Geaux mean, anyway? lol
10-21-2005, 08:26 PM
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that is hot
10-22-2005, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ITL
Funny that you comment b/c I do have an RJ-45 jack by the passenger's right foot. It keeps me from having to open the glovebox to connect to my LAN in my garage
Let's just wait til Saturday night for that. btw, it's GO Tigers...what does Geaux mean, anyway? lol
Let's just wait til Saturday night for that. btw, it's GO Tigers...what does Geaux mean, anyway? lol
Im guessing Go..
10-22-2005, 06:25 PM
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Niceo job...... I use the same MB and a Dynamix screen. I have a navi and reworked the center armrest to include my screen. I would love to hook up and see this in real life..
