My buddy's carputer

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Rob
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My buddy's carputer

#1 Post by Rob »

Yes, you read that correct. A carputer!

I decided my one CD player in my Nissan Altima was no good! I used to have a 6 CD changer in my Jeep and I was extremely annoyed with having to move discs in and out!

Here is my journey:

I didn't take a picture of it before I embarked on it so you will have to imagine a cubby that opens with a silver retracting wall if you will. I removed it and that is why you see the gaping hole below.

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For the role of computer I chose a Panasonic Toughbook. I wanted to use a toughbook because they have hard drive heaters. In the winter (Chicago) it gets quite cold. This way the computer will heat up the drive and I do not risk breaking the disk drive. I sold off the screen and handle to make the unit cost less.

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I drilled a hole between the glove box to the dash to run the VGA, power, and USB cables. I took the 12V DC adapter and split it from 1 to 3. 1 to power the PC, 1 to power the touchscreen, and 1 that I routed to the side so I still have a plug to use for phones etc.

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After this was all done I needed to make the mounting bracket. I first made one out of cardboard to make sure I had the right fit and then used that to stencil out one made of 22 gauge sheet metal.

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Here again.

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After it was cut out I folded it. I did not have a vice so I used a filing cabinet. I would fold the sheet metal by putting it on the floor and applying pressure on the top of the filing cabinet. That way it made a perfect fold around the corner.

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After it was folded I used a jigsaw to cut it out as needed.

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From there I painted it as so.

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Now I have to install the power button and a USB for the front. I didn't take a pic of the power button but here is the USB routed to the front.

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What it looks like from the front.

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Time to mount the screen!

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From the front.

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And now installed!

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Life is good!

http://claesotopes.com/pictures/carpute ... /cpc17.jpg

It may not be professional, but it is the first time I tried to do anything like this. I am proud of its turnout.
~Rob - Vice President - Rugged Depot~
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Azrial
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Re: My buddy's carputer

#2 Post by Azrial »

Very Nice Rob! This is something that I have been interested in for some time. I had one that I built on an IPX Barebones mini case in one of my former patrol cars. I used one of those membrane rubber mini-keyboards mounted directly to the airbag in the center of my steering wheel. I just wish that it was Bluetooth, that would have been more sanitary!
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