uRizen

iTrader: (2)

I have a couple of PIII miniATX boards for projects. I am going to stick one in a rotor housing and use it for my garage computer (or living room, depends on the wife's clearance), and one would fit nice and snug in a storage bin.

Here's the whole system specs including sound that I was thinking of:

PIII 1.0ghz 133mhz FSB processor
generic miniATX board
250w 1u rack case power supply
whatever memory I have laying around
30gb Western Digital HDD

Rockford components up front, some nice 6.5s in the rear towers, and a single 12" sub in the back (probably in a custom box fitting between the tower and the rear of the hatch area). I was going to use two seperate 2 channel amps for the components and sub. I have a nice 3 year old Pioneer deck that's still in good condition, and have the aux. in accessory.

I was just going to use the integrated Intel 810 graphics on the motherboard and run it to a Viewsonic VG150 LCD monitor that I got for super cheap and just required some minor resoldering to fix it.

I know where I can fit everything, except the screen. I don't want to make it uncomfortable for my passengers, and would like to make it not-so-obvious (thus attracting less theives and maybe make it so I can protect it from direct sunlight when not in use.)

I don't have my FC yet, so I haven't really been able to take the screen out and play with it, but I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on placement and any of the other stuff I've listed. I'm kind of new at the whole audio thing (I've never really done more then replace the headunit in my vehicles), but I have some friends that have done some nice stuff helping me out.

I attached a picture of the monitor too, it's kind of an ugly beast, but the housing is a little fat and bloated and could be trimmed or some new fiber glass chunks could be made.

Thanks!

*edit: NM, no pic, the forum is being retarded about uploading it.

uRizen

iTrader: (2)

Ok, boredom has struck again these last few days, so I started playing with some ideas. I have the choice of either a 7" Gamecube LCD, or a 15" Viewsonic LCD. I really want to fit that 15" inch in there, so I've been drawing up plans and created a FC Interior Simulator to play with my ideas.

The machine is going to be located in a rear storage compartment (I have a couple of microATX boards that will fit nicely) and I want to place a touchpad in the center counsel control area (where the security thing goes and all that) for cursor control.

Here's the base dash in the sim:


Here's all the other components installed:


Ok, here's where I want to mount the LCD. I've got measurements, and it fits fine on the sides with some cutting of the trim, but I will have to create a fiberglass "cap" on the top because it clears the upper portion of the stock trim by ~1 1/2".


Now where the hell is the logicon and head unit going to go? Head unit is in the glove box, I have some ideas using threaded rod, springs, and a release button to make the screen slide up enough to give access to the logicon if I relocate it down to the bottom. I also plan on making it so you can pull the screen up another inch, unplug some connectors that are revealed, and take the screen inside so it doesn't freeze or cook depending on the season. I can easily have the wife make a nice cover (maybe with a rotor stitched on) to put on it when I go out to keep the homies out of my car and protect the screen from direct sunlight.


I don't have an FC yet, so I haven't had the chance to get some better measurements and check clearances and cable runs, but I'm pretty confident that this crazy-*** idea will work, although the wife is going to be pissed when she see's how much I spend on speakers and components. I have almost all the computer parts, and the screen, so it'll still be cheaper then it could be. It's going to be a TON of work too, hehe.

Ok, so does anyone see why this wouldn't work, or can think of some PITA problem that I didn't think up? Will the stock FC alternator be able to handle the computer, 2x 2 channel amps, a Pioneer headunit, LCD screen, and 12" sub in the back without blowing up?

esebueno

now this is a project id love to physically help with
looks like its gonna be great, dude.
i like the idea of having it be removable (itll be a PITA, but hey....itll save u all that hastle...just dont break it on ur way in and out :P)
glass the logicon into the center console...if its under the screen...getting to it means moving the screen back and forth.
want to get REALLY crazy...get some pneumatic shocks somethin of the sort and make it move up and down on its own if u DID go with the idea of havin the logicon behind it
gluck with it all! id like to see some progress pics and all that when u get your FC

uRizen

iTrader: (2)

Hehe, glad someone else is excited about it. my wife just kinda huffed and rolled her eyes, lol. The main plan was to have it on springs at the very least and slide up for logicon access. The springs will bring it up the point you can access the logiscon, and a person would have to pull the screen up by themselves without spring assistance another couple of inches to get to the plugs (I plan on soldering a VGA jack on the plate that holds the logicon and is behind the screen and run a really short extension to the back of the monitor so I don't have to pull it off the back of the monitor) for removal from the vehicle.

Does anyone know of a good resource for learning how to mess with fibreglass?