Carputer Install (IMAGE INTENSIVE)

The Carputer is up and running. Only thing I still need to install is the Sub...that should arrive sometime next week.

Pioneer DEH-770MP
Lilliput 7" Motorized touchscreen

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/HuScreen.JPG

In place of the ashtray is the PC LEDs, Power switch for the inverter, Power & Reset for the PC.

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/Switches.JPG

I took an external USB drive case, disassemled it, installed it into the bottom of the center console, and connected it to the DVD-ROM which is installed in the flip up door. A false floor in the console hides all the USB conversion stuff.

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/DVD.JPG

False floor is made about 1" above where the stock false floor used to be. The PC itself is installed on the left hand side of the trunk, cooled by 2 80mm blue led fans. A stinger 1.2Farad cap sends power to the inverter on the back seat and eventually to the subs amp.

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/trunkclosed.JPG

Underneath the false floor, is the PC on the left and the still accessable spare tire/tools/jack. Oh, and a crapload of wiring.

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/trunkOpen.JPG

The open screen:

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/screenup.JPG

Screen / Windows XP Pro:

http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/screenupdark.JPG

Screen running MediaEngine:
http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/carpics/mediaengine.JPG

Think I spent about a good 50+ hours on the whole project so far. Everything was installed b y me, and anything that needed to be fabricated was done by me. Still have a few things I want to iron out, but it is 100% functional and sounds great!

dude......that is awsome!!! you gotta get another one in there and have them networked togather so you and your friend can do some gaming! =)

Is there anyway to truncate the pictures so they'll actually fit in the screen? LOL But from what I can tell, that's an awesome setup you got there bro. Good job!!!

that is truly incredible. nice fabrication, especially on the shrouds and false doors/floors: the look is very close to stock!

i'm curious, have you ever done a conversion/installation like this on any other car(s) before?

also, my only criticism (constructive of course) is that your computer has no casing for protection. granted the spare tire is held down and secure by the screw-type metal fastener, but i personally would be a little worried about the computer parts getting bumped/jostled if the car was tapped or if i took it fast around a turn. however, i'm sure this car is for show and not drag racing/autocross.

overall, an incredibly ridiculously good-looking piece of work!

that is absolutely amazing. Nice job, and I like the wallpaper too.

i'm curious, have you ever done a conversion/installation like this on any other car(s) before?

also, my only criticism (constructive of course) is that your computer has no casing for protection. granted the spare tire is held down and secure by the screw-type metal fastener, but i personally would be a little worried about the computer parts getting bumped/jostled if the car was tapped or if i took it fast around a turn. however, i'm sure this car is for show and not drag racing/autocross.

overall, an incredibly ridiculously good-looking piece of work!

First, thanks for the compliment.
I have done a few installations. Stereos, speakers, subs, amps, caps. Nothing too major as far as fabrication goes, never built anything too crazy. I usually have boxes and stuff built by people that get paid to do it.
This is the first time I have ever taken a project this size on..especially by myself. First time I have ever installed a monitor, USB DVD-ROM or a PC before.

As far as the component security goes...
The piece of MDF that the motherboard is securely screwed to is screwed into the trunk floor....where the stock plastic box screws into. The PC power supply, the soundcard, and the drive bay are all securely screwed to the piece of MDF. The motherboard is fastened to the MDF at 10 points, the same that it would be fastened to in a PC case. There is nothing back there that is "loose" to bump into the components. The wire bundles are also secured to the floor, and the spare is as tight as it will go by hand w/ a drop of loctite. I have already taken a few tight corners pretty hard just to see what would happen.....not a skip in the music and a hard disk scan showed no corrupt sectors. I'm quite confident it's all secure.

that is absolutely amazing. Nice job, and I like the wallpaper too.

Edited the wallpaper myself as well....then skinned MediaEngine to match. I can upload it for you if ya want.

I like that desktop image, do you think you can send it to me :) PM me

wow. all i have to say. very nice, man.

Click this for the background image:

WinXP Pro Chicks background (http://home.mchsi.com/~deviaant/winxpchicks.jpg)

I must say that's the hottest thing i've seen in a while...that's like something out of Pimp My Ride...except better. Nicely done!

Very nicely done. And I hope the computer holds up safely. When I hit a pothole last year which wrecked 2 rims, unfortunantly my brothers CPU was in the trunk and even packed in with pillows, clothes, etc, it took a jolt and had to have components replaced which was not cool.
Anyway, again, very nice work.

hey! post these pics of your car in the stick thread: "Pics of Your Rides"

Thanks again for all the compliments.
I will post pics in the sticky when the install is complete.

A fellow ebayer screwed me on the sub so I am waiting for another to arrive.