tritons oldsPC thread! may have found a mobo

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:30 pm

this is the thread where i will put al of my carputer stuff. as many of you know i have a 1954 oldsmobile and i have decided that what could possibly be more badass than puting a carPC in it? i have how i am going to put it in mostly figured out, i have my psone screen i will use and i am going to try and find another one as well for portable use. i will use the power inverter method and find an old computer to use, or a super cheap new one, any suggestions for a cheap (must be sub 50$)smallish mobo that will boot up FAST would be nice. i think i have at MOST a few hundred to spend (likely very much less than that) i will keep you all posted. going to take measurements and start designing my custom console and screen enclosure and glovebox thing. woo!

Radon199 · Post by **Radon199** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:40 pm

If you can get a 12 volt mobo and HD you will be way better of than with a 120 V one. The main reason is the power inverters can get hot... very very hot and some of them have been known to melt in the lighter socket and cause a short destroying your mobo. Your best idea is to cut off the plug on the inverter (you are better off to buy a 100-200 Watt one, not those crappy ones that are 75 watts) and wire it on the inside of the lighter socket. This way your not gonna destroy your lighter socket and you can use your coket for something else if need be.

Edit: If you need any help www.mp3car.com is the best site out there.

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:45 pm

actually seeing as my car has no functioning cigaret lighters i would wire the inverter to the battery directly or off the fusebox, one or the other. i would love to get a via epia m5000 mobo but i cant really afford it

Radon199 · Post by **Radon199** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:50 pm

If you have a big enugh trunk or room under the seat you can get a reletivly cheep PC from used parts and just stash it in your trunk, then run lines up to your dash.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:52 pm

I would suggest a seperate battery for your computer. Well a car battery does have a lot of power, it would be best to the have the computer feed off something else so on the off chance it drains that battery you still have a means of starting your car and getting where you need/want to.

Also as I mentioned to you before check your alternator, be sure that its going to output enough power for a computer. A good computer is going to suck about 200W and then you have to throw in the possiblity of an LCD. Better to have more then you need then less.

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:57 pm

radon, i already know where and how i am going to put the computer in my car plus running cables almost ten foot would not be too great of an idea. i will keep the power requirements in mind sparkfist my car battery in the olds is 650 cold cranking amps and im pretty sure the altenator is around 200w

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 3:26 pm

If your alternator puts out 200w, then I'm guessing the computer would suck up all that power, so the car would essentially be running off the battery.

I think you'd be best off with a (relatively) old laptop. Low power consumption, and if you're sure of your skills (or know someone who can do so) you can extend the screen's ribbon cable and use the original screen. (Go for a somewhat small lappy)

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 3:30 pm

thing is i cant even afford the crappiest laptop, as of now i have appx 50$ to my name plus my target gift card lol. i might sell some more stuff to get some funds quickly.

Radon199 · Post by **Radon199** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:01 pm

Most car PCs cost in the range of $300-$3000 depending on how intagrated you want it to be. Let me tell you this tho, your not gonna even get a 200w power inverter for $50...

Now what I'm doing for my Car PC is useing my PSP, i'm building a dock, gonna add a input on my stareo head and if worse comes to pass i'll shell out the $9 for a car charger. I never lessen to more than a few MP3s at a time so my PSP with a 1 gig memory stick will work great. Plus when I leave the car I can take it with me, that way theres no way anyone can break in and steal it.

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:07 pm

said i currently have 50$ i plan on selling a bunch of stuff here and on ebay!

Reploid Ayla · Post by **Reploid Ayla** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:30 pm

wait

isnt it illegal to have any type of moniter that a driver can see in a car?

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:45 pm

Reploid Ayla wrote:wait

isnt it illegal to have any type of moniter that a driver can see in a car?

If it was then GPS units would be out of luck...

Radon199 · Post by **Radon199** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:50 pm

Technicly yes, but also technicly no

It is legal to have a screen in the dirvers view that helps them drive (GPS, Maps, car temps, computer temps). Thats why it's legal for car companys to install those in dash GPS units. As long as you don't have a movie or game playing it's all cool. If you can't buy a GPS unit (they are like $50 and well worth it) just download some maps, they can help you find diffrent places, track your speed and other stuff. Plus it keeps your Car PC legal.

Also, nine times out of then your gonna be turning off your monitor whyle your driveing and lessening to MP3s anyways.

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:57 pm

Why not build a car dock for your 2x?

Post by **Triton** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:26 pm

cause i dont want to lol