My buddy's carputer
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:27 am
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here again.
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.
After it was folded I used a jigsaw to cut it out as needed.
From there I painted it as so.
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.
What it looks like from the front.
Time to mount the screen!
From the front.
And now installed!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here again.
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.
After it was folded I used a jigsaw to cut it out as needed.
From there I painted it as so.
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.
What it looks like from the front.
Time to mount the screen!
From the front.
And now installed!
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.