Car PC & EVDO (or Car Computers)

Michael · Last edited by Michael on Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

People are doing some pretty amazing things with retrofitting computers and putting them in their cars, RVs, Trucks, etc.

A very cool web site is dedicated to this topic

http://www.mp3car.com/

Last week, we did some on road testing with a our StompBox and that was a ton of fun (hotspot in car, real time GPS mapping integration, webcam view out the front window).

We have done some impressive 2 way chats with people in their cars (and have even done our own 2 way chat tests ).

Now with EVDO, we bet there will be more people doing cool integrations with putting computers in their vehicles. So, if you have done one, please post your details and pictures to this thread.

At the end of this month we will lock this thread, then we will take all the entries and allow everyone to vote for the coolest. The winner will get a $50 credit on their Verizon Monthly Bill.

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TheSpillmonkey · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 25

I have some pics of my current setup on my server.
http://www.spillmonkey.com/scion

Its a 1.3ghz pc with 512ram
60gig HD
slimline slotload dvd/cdrw
DC-DC PSU
shutdown card (it knows to power itself on and off with the car and does so gracefully)
Opus case.
usb belkin 802.11g
garmin GPS
Its running XP.
The monitor slides out of the dash and folds up. Its a real VGA monitor with touchscreen. The menu came out beautiful. Its mostly used for MP3, GPS, and Video (divx and dvd) The next step is two more monitors in the back headrests for the passengers.
As of right now, I have to boot my old thinkpad laptop (converted into a mini stompbox) to get access via evdo. I will soon fix this. I'm either buying one of these new routers that are supposed to be out very soon, or ill just build a real stompbox.
More to come soon. Still working on it Smile

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Jimincalifornia · EVDO User Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 72

When I was first planning the mods to my motorhome, I assumed I'd need a Motosat or similar autopointing/tracking satellite internet dish. I was *just* about to have that installed this week when I did some research on EVDO here and went that direction instead.

Some background: I'm about to become what's known as a "fulltimer" in RV circles, meaning full-time RV resident. And as a working, roving political activist I'll be "boondocking" most of the time - parking "wherever" basically.

Which means extended water tanks are being added - 95gal fresh, 120 waste, and an electrical system from hell. Just over 8 grand worth Smile

.

This rig also has it's own garage - it started life as a flat bed race car hauler in the back, and the finishing touches are being put on the completely enclosed rear garage which is also adding another internal room to be used as a computer room. The garage will have a workbench on one side complete with washer/dryer underneath, tools, etc. and then a half-width rear ramp door to let me roll my Harley right up in the back.

Here's what it looked like when I got it:

http://www.equalccw.com/hansenmods.pdf

Here's the basic schematic for the electrical layout:

Here's the wiring diagram:

http://www.equalccw.com/wiringdiagram.gif

With the Motosat concept out of the picture, my secondary inverter is way too big at 1100watts but that's OK. I could have used a 600w Samlex pure sine at $300 though. Oh well.

This forum might consider opening up a whole sub-category for the RV/truck conversion/bus conversion crowd. Tons of info will develop that will affect the guys doing car-based setups. I suspect y'all don't know very much about the differences between different inverters for example, or the joys of a multi-stage battery charger (esp. one with a temperature sensor zip-tied to the battery to detect boil-over conditions).

EVDO is clearly poised to compete with the various mobile satellite setups. The most expensive of which are the "autopointer" types that are permanently mounted to the RV's roof, auto deploy and stow (fold) and auto-seek the satellite...and run $5k or more in startup hardware costs. The less-expensive alternative is a manual-pointing setup of questionable legality in some cases, which still means a $1,700+ investment and takes some hand-setup each time you park. For a look into that world which EVDO is competing with, see also:

http://datastormusers.com

TheSpillmonkey · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 25

The last car computer setup i had (in a 95 monte carlo) i used a 300w inverter. I needed to boost my alternator abit as well. I got stuck a few times in parking lots after leaving the damn thing on for just 30min or so. I would REALLY suggest getting a DC-DC power supply for your RV setup. Inverters just waste SO much energy through heat in conversion. They arent anywhere near as efficient. Check out OPUS for dc-dc PSU's. Their units come complete with shutdown cards (they know if the car is on and off and pass that to the PC), voltage monitors for the car battery, as well as a small voltage regulator that keeps the pc from dropping during engine crank (less of a problem in the RV as your power is probably independant and much more stable). Take a look. Its really something to consider if you are in any mobile setup.

Also take a look at "Desktop Replacement" laptops. They have come a long way. I have a HP ZD8000 that is beautiful. It uses standard desktop hardware (a real p4 cpu, none of that laptop power saving performance dropping crap) and it has the most beautiful 17" widescreen monitor on the market today. (1680x1050 res w/ Brightview)

Just a couple of suggestions. Smile

Jimincalifornia · EVDO User Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 72

We agree completely re: "desktop replacement" laptops - in my estimation anyways that's what I've got: Fujitsu PentiumM 1.8 with 512k RAM, 60gig internal, three externals available (two 80s and a 100), 1280x800 15.4" screen, dual-sided DVD burner, etc.

On inverters, you get what you pay for. Both of my pure sine inverters are over 90% efficient. And I've got a battery that...at 650lbs and 845amp/hrs, it'll kick anybody else's battery's butt and take it's lunch money Smile

. Then there's the 660watts of solar panels feeding it via the top-rated solar charge controller.

You were probably using a very cheap inverter with a crappy modified sine output, God only knows what efficiency, no "sleep mode" (disconnect load and it draws only milliamps looking for a load), and then you hooked it to a battery with almost no significant deep cycle capability (look up the difference between a starter battery, true deep cycle battery and the "marine" compromise type).

Zorog · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 135

Imagine pulling out your car stereo and pushing in a complete, powerful computer in the exact same slot. And imagine that it looked like your stereo, complete with CD and DVD player and all the controls. And imagine if you could mount a 7 inch touch-screen monitor anywhere in your car. No docking station, no wasted space, no trying to balance your laptop on the seat as you drive.

Ta Daaa! Check out the newest from Audiovox.

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14354&langId=-1

(And no, I don't work for Audiovox. But I've been waiting for a product like this for years!!!! I can't wait to get my hands on one...)

Michael · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:

Woa, that looks very cool.

I don't see a PCMCIA Slot, so how am I going to plug in my EVDO card for internet access?

Zorog · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 135

All the slots/ports are in the back, so the wires and all are hidden in your dash. You may need an external USB/PCMCIA unit, or your KR1...

Jimincalifornia · EVDO User Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 72

That KR1 or equivelent is going to solve so many problems...

brendanhoar · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 140

TheSpillmonkey · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 25

did you see my pics ? hehe
I need to take some better ones. The setup looks much better than it looks in those. Also, the setup has come quite aways since those.
http://www.spillmonkey.com/scion <-- pics

eddieb · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 15 Location: NYC

TheSpillmonkey · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 25

edit: damnit, replied in wrong topic Smile

eddieb · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 15 Location: NYC