PIC'S! Water cooled car computer @ 95% complete

[WuNgUn]

Here is the latest pics of my carputer setup....the dash and trunk...

I'm thinking about repainting the center console...just not perfect. I nicked the paint fitting the machine acrylic cover as well.
But you'll note the pair of USB ports where the ashtray use to live, as well as the engine start/stop button, which is now fully functional...

You'll notice the rectangular 'grooves'...these wil be used for illumination (blue LED of course) in the near future.
The two dots are status LED's for the push-button start...orange when the start sequence has started, and a green LED for when it's started and ready to drive.

And of course, below the screen, the pair of VU meters and the Powermate volume/control knob...

(Ignore the finger prints!)



Here it is booting up...



And loaded (Centrafuse 2 frontend)...I'm using Phidgets USB sensors to monitor inside and outside temps, outside humidity as well as current flow to the PC and battery voltage...
The center portion also displays my tire pressure and temperatures, nav data, among other things...



The trunk, I made the finishing cuts on it yesterday...
I was hoping the LED lighting would permeate thru the machined acrylic better, but I'll add two more strips to the front side of it to even the lighting better...
There are also 2 CCFL tubes in the main 'window', which aren't well illuminated with the lighting/camera...
The two exhaust fans also run with blue LED's...

Right now, it's the raw MDF. I'm going to chamfer the cutouts and cover it in carbon-look black vinyl...







The 'window' to the PC has a framed piece that's covered in speaker grill cloth that can optionally be used to keep it hidden...

Here are some night shots...again, the blue is a little 'washed' out because of the camera exposure...

[ypahuboy]

nice

[cd300]

What vehicle is that? I assume Ford...

And push button start

[AVIDEDTR]

very nice....any chance for an equipment list?

[vicw]

Sweet. I want to build a carputer myself, but I want to find economical places in Toronto to find the parts. You're in Canada, where did you or would you shop for the stuff?

[mjgonegm]

Real Nice !!!!!!!, One problem thought what about frezzing ?? I thought the water colling liquid was cabple of frezzing ?

Whats the specs ?

[WuNgUn]

Originally Posted by cd300

What vehicle is that? I assume Ford...

And push button start

It's an '02 SVT Focus, 'Sonic blue' paint...

[WuNgUn]

Originally Posted by vicw

Sweet. I want to build a carputer myself, but I want to find economical places in Toronto to find the parts. You're in Canada, where did you or would you shop for the stuff?

I've had good luck with DirectCanada and NCIX...and of course, Ebay.

[WuNgUn]

Originally Posted by mjgonegm

Real Nice !!!!!!!, One problem thought what about frezzing ?? I thought the water colling liquid was cabple of frezzing ?

Whats the specs ?

I'm running 50/50 coolant water in it, and I pull it during the winter...

It's a X2 AMD 2.2Ghz, 1GB RAM, dual Asus Xonar sound cards and 500GB HDD...

Maybe I'll do a write-up with build pics this week...

[mjgonegm]

get more RAM !!! its to cheap not to max out on ram these days

[akanoon]

Looking good. Do you only have that one display? If so, why two soundcards?

[WuNgUn]

Build List:

VenHaus speaker wire for tweeters and drivers...




Made from CAT5...LOTS of CAT5


The amplifiers...TRU T4.65's


The components...

[WuNgUn]

The sound cards...




Some software...




Beginning the trunk fab...


The sub and modified OE enclosure...






Old board setup...


I did away with the north bridge cooling and the AGP video card.

[WuNgUn]

The MDF/plexi enclosure...






Machined acrylic top...




Birch wood amp rack...


Home made interconnects and RCA's...


Roughed in touch screen display...

[WuNgUn]

Speakers mounted in the back...




...and the front


Machined acrylic amp surround...




Dash opening (USB hub and PSU for hub and monitor...


Distribution block/vreg's


Coolant!


Push button starter...


Modified TPMS board...

[WuNgUn]

Interface for 'catching' button actions from the OE steering wheel audio controls...


That's about it really!

[Tonyguy]

Nice work man! Is that a huge ass volume knob below the screen?

[WuNgUn]

Originally Posted by Tonyguy

Nice work man! Is that a huge ass volume knob below the screen?

Thanks...
Yeah, that's a Griffen Powermate...a programable USB wheel. Gotta love how it's like a replica hi-fi stereo knob...

[acencsu]

Hey I see that you're using Rubberfilter for your crossover and I've been trying to find some info on that program. Two questions:

1. Is it an FIR filter?
2. Have you tried the 384 db/octave setting and if so, does it make it sound weird? (I've heard there may be an audible noise right at the crossover point with that steep of a crossover.)

Thanks for you help. Your setup looks great by the way.

Edit: I had one more I forgot: What power supply are you using to run all of that gear?

[Tonyguy]

Originally Posted by WuNgUn

Thanks...
Yeah, that's a Griffen Powermate...a programable USB wheel. Gotta love how it's like a replica hi-fi stereo knob...

Dude that knob is awesome! Where can you find it online?

[WuNgUn]

Knob:
Griffin Technology: PowerMate - USB Multimedia Controller

I'm actually not using Rubberfilter anymore...I don't think I went any higher than 24dB on it though, when I was using it...

I'm using LS filter right now...



I plan on moving away from this and using Pristine Space. I want to make my own filters using (((Acourate))). I have my Berringer measurement mic ready, and I'm just waiting for my MXL Marshall Mic Mate to arrive...
Basically, each driver/tweeter will have it's own IR filter, tuned to the individual response of the speakers themselves, with room correction and crossover as well...
Pristine Space can accomodate 8 outputs and any one of 8 seperate impulse responses for each of those channels, so it's very flexible...

This will be the only VST plugin I'll need as well....sound in}Pristine Space}Sound Out...which will help with latency and CPU usaage.

I just hope I have the CPU to pull it off!!

[maxxis]

This is awesome.

Was thinking of going car PC route instead of processor like BitOne etc.

Very nice build.

[maxxis]

This is awesome.

Was thinking of going car PC route instead of processor like BitOne etc.

Very nice build.

[WuNgUn]

Thanks...
Tuning by PC offers SO many different options...
I think someone made a 3rd party plugin for controlling the BitOne from Centrafuse...pretty cool option as well!

[Therum]

You are my hero! You are the first person I've seen that has actually built a car pc with sq in mind. You have given me a reason to live. I mean a basis for me to build my own!

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