Computer In My Car

[generalnmx]

I have a spare mini-tower computer that I don't know what to do with. I'm thinking, well I have more then enough computers in my house, so why not put one in my car? A mini-tower is still a little big, but I'm sure I can shove it in somewhere. I'm thinking I'll need:

- Tiny LCD Touch-Screen
- Invertor with 2-3 powerslots

Does anyone have any suggestions or links to guides? My most important problem I'd need to solve is how to make it hibernate / shutdown automatically when I turn off the engine.

Edit: On some browsing I realized touch-screens are mega expensive, so a tiny LCD or whatever type of monitor would be better. I can just use a tiny keyboard and map keys to stuff I'll use often.

Edit2: Current finds -

$99 - 7" STN LCD Monitor: http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_you_need/special/L7M.htm

$109 - 5.6" TFT LCD Monitor: http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_you_ne...ial/th-5688.htm

$129 - 7" TFT LCD Monitor: http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_you_ne...ial/IN-7288.htm

Anyone use this store? They got some pretty cool stuff.


Edit3: This power supply might do the trick - http://www.opussolutions.com/modules.php?n...opic_id=7&sid=6

More options here: http://www.logicsupply.com/default.php/cPath/40

Edit4: Hmm if I can get an extra $250 somehow I could afford this computer - http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.ph...products_id/201

I'll look into building my own slim version.

 

[yaustar]

While I have a feeling you are in the US, Custom PC magazine (http://www.custompc.co.uk) has a rather large feature on how to do that

Try http://www.mp3car.com

 

[generalnmx]

While I have a feeling you are in the US, Custom PC magazine (http://www.custompc.co.uk) has a rather large feature on how to do that

Try http://www.mp3car.com

​

Yeah I'm in the US. I've actually found http://www.logicsupply.com/ has a much wider selection, although I'm not sure about Morex brand.

 

[yaustar]

If I get a chance I scan the articles for you but first I have to find a scanner.... so dont get your hopes up

 

[Dozer]

Take a look at this mini-itx page. It has at least one project for a car. Maybe you can get some ideas from there.

 

[MegatronUK]

I did this:

http://www.target-earth.net/pn/html/index....&ceid=4&meid=57

... but I'm on replacing the Xbox with an Espresso mini pc (about the size of a paperback with a 900MHz C3, 256mb, 40gb disk, svideo and stereo out) in my Supra... much more compact and power efficient... you can even run it off a small 12v laptop PSU. It should fit under the centre arm rest... unlike the Xbox....

An integrated screen and head unit is a lot easier to use... plus it doesn't look out of place... but you do pay for it (worth it, IMO), compared to a seperate screen.

 

[mattmagoo]

make sure you make it as efficient as possible

it'll suck your battery to hell and back

 

[generalnmx]

make sure you make it as efficient as possible

it'll suck your battery to hell and back

​

That's what IPTS is for.