zero2sixtyZ here, logging my new project, MaximaPC.




Car:
Current stereo: Eclipse CD5425 headunit, Metra 7551 adapter to stock Bose speakers/subwoofer.

Purchased:
- Shuttle KPC K45 Barebones
- Intel E4500 Core2Duo Processor
- Crucial 2x1GB DDR2 RAM
- Fujitsu 160GB 2.5" SATA HDD
- OPUS 150W XPC DC-DC Power Supply

- Lilliput EBY-701 7" Touchscreen
- OEM Nissan GXE Dash Kit
- Bybyte 629-701 ABS Plastic LCD Frame

Software:
- Windows XP Professional SP3
- RoadRunner Front End w/ CarWings Skin or Centrafuse Front End
- AutoEnginuity OBDII w/ Nissan Enhanced Interface

Next on list:
- Stinger Expert wiring
- USB Hubs/Extensions / VGA Cabling / RCA Cables / 3.5mm to RCA adapters
- Panasonic UJ-875 DVD/RW Slot-load Optical Drive
- USB Enclosure for optical drive
- iGuidance or MS Streets and Trips 09

Future:
- BU-353 GPS Receiver
- (XM Module)
- (TPMS System w/ PC interface)
- Software One to inferface with my ValentineOne Radar Detector
- Shuttle ICE-Genie Cooling Fan/Heatsink
- Components/Amps/Subwoofer replacement (need help in that region!)

Hardware stage: Shuttle has been built, tested with AC-DC power supply, waiting to test with car power. Screen tested, installing into enclosure.

Software stage: System is running, installed RoadRunner and Centrafuse, and doing research while tinkering with creating my own skins.

Will add pictures and updates as soon as possible!

 

i have an opus 320w (previous model) psu if you are interested. gl on the build.

 

Sweet, sounds good.

Excellent choice on the DiNovo.

 

Updated first post, bump, pics coming soon.

Here is what's new:

Received screen, enclosure, and psu. Just need wiring and fuses to get it setup.

Ditched idea of Logitech keyboard (sorry Nilesh) for using ... iPhone.
- Tethering jailbroken iPhone 3G to car PC via ad-hoc network (requires a wifi adapter) to use iPhone as a 3G modem.
- Getting iPhone app "Air Mouse Pro" for air mouse, trackpad, and keyboard functions all from the iPhone.

 

Hey, smaller footprint, and cheaper. Why not?

Have you seen the video of the guy that interfaced his remote start/alarm to his iPod touch? Very novel idea...

 

Do you have a link to that? That sounds badass, until you run out of charge haha.

 

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqZj4ArrlhA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nInbHSFFG5k

 

That is sick. I would love to do something like that, but his setup is much lower powered than mine and I don't have any plans to run off a separate battery.

 

I forgot whose car this is, but its beautiful and made my wallpaper.

 

Want to see how this goes. I always wanted to do a CarPC but I never knew where to start.

 

Go to Mp3car.com, search in worklog and showoff for maxima and you will see a few setups. You could probably do some searches on infiniti also. I gotta get my project going since I bought the parts almost 4 years ago...sigh.

 

I have a worklog thread there. I will keep that thread and this one updated regularly.

 

Update: Installed.

Screen mounted, wiring completed, still working on a perfect mounting location for the Shuttle in the trunk w/ new floor. Sound is working, video, touchscreen, its all a go.

Still to do: Get GPS receiver, upgrade soundcard, make cover for screen, add USB hub, and hardwire screen power to power supply of computer.

My biggest problem was getting the sound to work. I posted in my problem thread here, but just to repeat it, I ran RCAs from the 5.1 integrated soundcard to my Metra 70-7551. After figuring out it worked with the headunit still plugged into the harness, it made sense the amps weren't getting triggered on. Ran a wire from a 12v line from the computer to the remote/amp-on wire, and bam. Sound.

Heres some pics of the screen installed, which still needs a bit of tweaking and an anti-glare protector badly:

 

Very cool.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG_zTIRR3cI

 

I've been able to get everything together and working away from the car on its own, but could never integrate it smoothly into the car, the display/pc/gps/power I understand, just when it comes to things like how to get steering wheel controls to work for volume or scroll and whatnot I get baffled. I love the project man and I hope everything works out great, looking forward to feed back.

 

The only time I've seen the wheel controls work on a carpc is with WindowsCE.

 

Product discussion thread already in progress:
http://forums.maxima.org/audio-elect...r-car-key.html

 

thats awesome bro nice work!

 

Thanks guys. I saw the Viper SmartStart system already, and am intrigued by it. Problem is the price.

Coldfear13, check mp3car.com. I haven't researched it too much, but I believe there might be something you can use with the PAC SWI adapter for the steering wheel controls. IMO, I just use the Cruise and Trip Computer since I have the touch screen right there for volume, etc. You could also have a volume **** elsewhere tethered to USB.

 

Looks good.

 

Looking good Zeead!

I saw this in person and let me tell you it looked great and functioned great!

Definitely want to do this in the near future, glad you know your stuff!

 

I hate to revive an old thread here but I have a few questions for ya:

1) I have subs and noticed the voltage dropping down to like 12.4v at the lowest when the subs hit...do you have subs? Is this something to worry about or just screw it and hope for the best since the voltage isn't droppin below 12v?

2) Where did you get the bracket to fit around the screen and into the GXE dash kit so well?

3) Where did you put your CD deck that does the radio/cd/sound processing?

Thanks!

 

The answer to #1 would be to upgrade your wiring. Do the big 3.

 

I'll tackle #2 and #3 then.

#2: http://bybyte.com/

#3: I didn't. I am running from the sound card > 3.5mm to RCA adapters > RCA cables > Metra harness > Stock Bose components, amp and sub.

 

Sweet! That would be perfect. What did you do about FM radio? Just buy the USB FM module for your carPC? I mean I know its regular radio, but there are times where its nice. Also do you know what would be the solution if you needed RCA outputs for front, rear, and sub? Thanks again!

 

No FM radio yet. Not big on my list considering I have the HDD with around 22+GB of music + podcasts. I believe if you wanted a separate subwoofer, you could just use a soundcard that has each of the channels, then direct the wires to an amp.