In Dash Computer Install
 

Hey everybody Ive been working on and off since november to develop a decent fully consolidated in dash computer setup so that I wouldnt have to buy an off the shelf head unit that didnt even have wifi. Well after some crunch time the past couple of weeks I finally have i up and running! Its pretty awesome and just plugs right into the factory wiring harness. I have been doing custom computer work for people for a while now building and modifying and this takes that to a whole new level combining my 2 favorite hobbies into 1! I used to have a pioneer avic 940bt but was frustrated with its limitations and the wonky touch screen so this is so much better. I actually found what company makes the IPAD touch screen and bought one of their touch screens in 7" display it feels awesome to the touch! Right now it is just running the factory speakers with its built in 200 watt amplifier but I have plans to run a kenwood xr900-5 and aftermarket speakers (not sold on speakers yet).

Ive been posting this build in the facebook group and apparently theres a pretty huge market for this kind of thing so i decided to do a thread here. Take a look at the pics and I also have a few videos, not great ones but hey they were filmed one handed during the install. I may post links later if theres any interest. :tiphat:

SPECS:

-mini ITX form factor
-Atom 1.6 ghz dual core processor
-Windows 7
-Up to 4 GB ram
-Centrafuse 4.4.5
-Bluesoliel
-bluetooth
-wifi
-multiple hard drives over 1 TB of data storage
-Capacitive touch screen


PICS:

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...5-img-0931.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...6-img-0991.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...7-img-1012.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...8-img-1014.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...9-img-1018.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...0-img-1023.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/zensa...1-img-1025.jpg

Oh its also linked to my ECU and displays the engine load, rpm, throttle position, Car speed, timing advance and air fuel info.

Wow! That is really awesome. Nice work man! That's really sweet that you have it linked to the ECU.

thats bad *** bro! makes me wish i didnt have the stock nav on my car

Well done!!

Clean install!! Like the specs on your ATX. What Power Supply are you running and are your boot times?

I am running the M2-ATX 160w.

One of the best modifications I have done so far!

wish I could put something like this in my 335i.... But then I wouldn't have any way to control my fans lol. Great clean install brotha!

Are you thinking of making profit?


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Thanks man! Im using the m3 atx right now boot times are really fast i have set to just come in and out of hibernation tho. On one of my videos I clocked it at 17 second boot from a previous full shutdown. I had an issue where my hard drive i originally used for windows was a small solid state drive and it wouldnt write the hibernation file to it and it took me forever to figure out the issue haha. I thought it was the power supply originally but it turns out the psu is good as gold.

I am not set up here as a vendor so I cant offer them currently without breaking rules. Im planning to market them at local car shows around this area as I met some guys with trucks and suv's that really want one as well at the price i quoted them. That being said a couple people from another forum have orders and one person is funding my project to incorporate one of these with the factory bose setup. Its gonna be a BA super clean system......The downside to these things is lack of standard fm radio. There doesnt seem to be agood answer to that.

Thanks bro! i remember your reaction when I texted you back in november when i was thinking about starting the project LOL too bad u went with the nav option. You of all ppl I would have thought would leave some room for modifications hahaha! Thx for the support man!:tup:

I feel ya but just fyi I could make it control your fans ;) Lol its got a built in relay controller

Where can i get update/ follow up with the project out side of forum maybe if it violate forum rule. Really interest in this.

Who need radio when you have the whole computer in you car? Lol . Maybe built an external dvd reader in glove box.


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Fantastic setup man - I looked into a similar enclosure when I did mine, but I went about it a different route. :)

What screen did you go with? I had a couple in the past that were capacitive that I did not like - they crapped out on me after a few months. I've been looking to replace my Lilliput resistive one for a capacitive model.

PearlyZ, what info are you looking for? I'm sure OP, I, or several members that have CarPC's could help you piece one together.

Just send me a pm if u need info or anything man!

I went with innolux man they make all the ipad stuff and it works like a charm. As long as you have driver support which was the hardest part of my project. Modifying drivers lol. Also i stayed with windows 7 due to support as well.

Ah, I've seen their stuff. I was on the fence about em when I looked at those a while back - drivers were also my issue as well :tup:

I'm planning on running a second screen in the upper cubby area for my GPS and OBD display (Dashcommand) stuff, and leaving the lower area for music and entertainment. I think a capacitive screen for the lower area would be great.

There was a company at one point called Chalkboard Electronics:

Chalkboard Electronics

And they were going to bring a nice 7 inch capacitive screen to market for a really cheap price, but I'm not sure if it's still ongoing.

I gotcha yeah man for car computers i have the resistive touch screen and the capacitive and there is literally no difference in feeling or operation. It uses the same usb controller too so its well worth it to just get a resistive. Thats what im doing no. I find the innolux at070tn83 on ebay with driver board usb controller board button board and touch screen overlay for 75 bucks. You cant beat it if you have the custom pc drivers. So if you want to go diy for way cheaper than the lilliput stuff pm me for the driver software!

Ps your pc build is what inspired me to do mine!! I remember i was just like " i gotta be different tho if i do all nano and pico hardware i can put it in a simple headunit form"....i remember thinking if i could build these custom head units that just simply plug and play to the factory wiring harness people might want to buy them as an easier alternative. Cuz all in all its not to bad of a build but there were definitely some things that stumped me. I could see where someone that hadnt been building computers for a couple years would feel lost haha.

Also im working on setting mine up so that whenever i pull into the garage my car computer syncs any new media that might be on my house laptop automatically so i sont have to manually transfer songs that i download. Ill keep updated with progress!