CarMac, Progress Options

[tomazws]

Over the years, I've been researching on the best way to assemble a carputer into my car. Though, I've had my mind on Macintosh and nothing will change my mind to using a PC
Recently, I just started collecting hardware needed for a CarMac. Once I get my car back from the body shop (getting its damage fixed), I will start putting these things in. Comments, recommendations, questions, criticisms all welcome.

First of all, I am NOT going to watch DVD on this thing (Well that's what I say now.......). I just like the look of the iTunes music library displayed in album covers mode. Well, plus my current CD player is not working. Purchased like 2 or 3 stock Toyota CD players and NON OF THEM WORKS. Since I wanted an OEM look, I don't want to purchase those aftermarket CD players since they all look super fancy and out of place. I want this screen to blend into the double din. I want it to look boring from the outside, and shocking when the machine is turned on.

As for the hardware, instead of using a desktop, I went for the notebook route. I want the computer to be easily removeable. Slide it in, pull it out. Below is the computer I got from searching on Craigslist last year. The computer was dirt cheap because of the display problem. That's ok, I don't need the screen anyway, gonna remove the lid later so the computer won't always hibernate.

Computer: Apple iBook G3 600MHz PowerPC / 384MB SDRAM w/ LCD Backlit Problem - $150.00 (Used, Craigslist)


As for monitor, I kept my eyes on eBay everyday searching for the best deal, I finally found this for a fairly low price:

Monitor: Lilliput EBY701 7" Touchscreen LCD - $190.00 (New, eBay)


Monitor comes with car DC/DC adapter:


Installed the newest OS X and software updates:


This is what the screen looks like in light. Semi glossy screen might have reflection problems in the car...


In night time. Screen doesn't have day/night mode. This is iTunes in album covers mode. Pretty ain't it?


Usually, to assemble a carputer, a DC/AC converter is required tapped stright from the car battery. Some might survive crank, some might not. Not surviving crank will cause your computer to restart and waste time, might even damage your files too. With a Laptop, I will never have that problem with its internal battery. DC/AC converter is also not required with the wide support of aftermarket cigarette lighter DC/DC adapters.

Computer Power: Kensington 70W DC Power Adapter for Apple Notebooks - $20.00 (Used, Amazon)


That's about it for now... Next I will need to get:
DC Power Splitter (1 cigarette outlet into 2, or even 4, 5, 6...)
Amplifier (Audio-out from the laptop is too weak)
And I'll have to mould the screen to fit it into the double-din...

I'm getting my car back late this week Hopefully....

This post has been edited by tomazws: May 15, 2007 - 12:27 PM

[tomazws]

To bring an old thread back.... I FINALLY (Yes after almost a year....) dug up the parts I ordered last year, and tried to fit the screen onto our double din opening. I haven't fit the whole thing back into the car yet... Just fitted the screen onto the double din...


Note: This is a poor man's amateur n00b just-for-fun work. No fabrication, welding, molding or whatsoever.


So, I finally destroy the monitor's warranty by taking the LCD and boards out of the casing:



Thank god I didn't break anything. I am planning to mount this LCD panel onto the double din opening:



I cut out the dimensions of the LCD and tried to test fit it onto the double din opening:



Seems like the height is too tall, and the width is too short to fit onto the double din opening:



So I used an Xacto knife and cut out the plastic that is blocking the way:



And I'm going to make a panel / plate / cover / or whatever you call it from an old notebook hardcover (it's plastic-ish...):



I cut out the opening of the screen and the outer size to fit onto the double din:



The panel fits perfectly on the double din opening:



So now I'm going to mount the LCD panel, I found some of these double sided photo wall mount tape in the garage:



Cut and trimmed the tape, I put 5 tapes in a stack on the right side, and 3 in a stack on the left side to position the screen right in the middle of the double din opening.



These 3M tape actually holds up pretty strong.. The LCD is now taped onto the mid panel:



w00t!