Carputer install finished

[Mbai2]

I finally finished my install of a computer into my CTS that I had mentioned in another post. I am still able to read info from the DIC and use the volume knob (steering wheel and on the HU). The remaining HU buttons work. The steering wheel buttons and OnStar also work. This thing generates a lot of heat...most likely from the 80GB HDD. I'll need to install a case fan or two before the summer heat hits. Below are some pictures of it in action. For those who missed it, refer to this thread for the specs of the system in posts #2, 7, and 8.

Main Screen
Weather Info
Music Manager
GPS
DVD

[ctsvett]

LET ME SAY: THAT IS FREAKING COOL...

I am a total nerd and would absolutly love that... to bad I already have the nav.. well. maybe for the future...

How are you pulling the weather info?

send me an e-mail please

Reed

[waitebe]

WOW! That looks awesome. Are you ever planning on doing an entire write-up on the installation? I am sure many people would be interested in trying this...including me.

[ctsvett]

What was the software you used again? Couldnt find it on the other post (am I blind)?

Thanks,

Reed

[slk230mb]

That is freaking awesome.

[SilverCTS]

It is awesome.

You can get traffic information on the 2005 Acura RL Nav system.

Look for these types of features to be more readily available on future models.

[Mbai2]

Thanks for the comments .

I can use WiFi to pull weather info if I'm within range. Otherwise, it uses a bluetooth connection to use my cell phone as a high speed dial up modem.

The frontend is called centrafuse and runs under XP. I forgot to mention it in the other post so your eyes are still okay . Check out www.fluxmedia.net for info on the frontend.

I have taken pictures of the building process and will be doing a full write up when I have time. It's getting close to exam time for me so I may not have it finished until May but who knows, I may find myself getting distracted from studying to do a write up sooner.

[Ilyesha]

We are not worthy, we are not worthy

How much $$ did all that cost?

[G35 This]

you should start building and sellin that to CTSers like us

[pjohnesq]

Originally Posted by G35 This

you should start building and sellin that to CTSers like us

Sh*t, I'd buy it...Hey Mbai, your DIC kept showing 105.9 for your radio station, was that Power 106 out here in LA..If so, man, can I come to your town and you do the installation for me????That is one hot hook up you got there....DAAAAMNN! Oh I like the DVD pic (CTS in the background...nice touch)

[RobertCTS]

Man...talkin' about being over my head!! I'm very impressed! Yeah I agree you could make some buck$ doing that install on GM cars. Pat yourself on the back for me. How much $$ and where is the end of the line?

[Mbai2]

All the parts probably cost somewhere between $750-850. I figured I'd go this route as opposed to retrofitting a factory Nav system since it costs the same or less and does more. Since I did the installation and fabrication, I didn't need to worry about labor costs which probably would have doubled the total cost.

pjohnesq: I'm in Michigan but I wish I was in Cali. Tell you what, fly me over there and I'll build you one with discounted labor .

[D148L0]

Kudos to you, Mbai.
I'm going to request a copy of this thread to make it a sticker at infotainment. It is truly an awesome work.

[odysseus]

Hats off to you Mbai2,

I didn't know there were any fellow hardware hackers on this forum! Here's a site to some guys who've been doing this for a few years now, using Linux. They have all of the software downloadable.

http://www.dashpc.com/

I haven't read the original thread to see what hardware you used, but VIA makes the mini-IPX motherboards for this purpose. All-in-one gigahertz Pentium class motherboards that draw about 15 watts, in a 6.7"x6.7" package. A 600 MHz unit is fanless and strictly heat sink cooled.

Go to www.mini-itx.com for details on what others use this mobo for. And to http://www.mini-box.com/site/index.html for cool accessories (fanless power supplies, car sequencers, compact flash adapters, etc).

If you have heat problems with a 3.5" hard drive, go get a 2.5" laptop hard-drive. It's about 1/5 the power, and you can get an 80 GB Samsung unit that spins at 5400 RPM for around $110. They're also much more tolerant to vibration and shock.

Edit: I just read the previous thread and I see you used some of these sites, and the Mini-ITX board. Very cool. With a big enough, low power hard drive, and a USB port, who needs a CD player? Rip all your CD's to MP3s!

BTW - what's the boot time on it?

[NYCTS]

AWESOME JOB

INSPIRATIONAL JOB

If I cover your expenses you willing to come to NYC and hook up my CTS??

hehehe