CarPC How To [And worklog]
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: VA
How much power can the cig lighter wiring take? I just bought a netbook off walmart online for $265 and it comes with a 60 watt ac adapter. I assume while its charging battery its using full 60 constantly. Can it take this plus the 10ish from the screen or do I have to run directly off battery with a relay?
If anyone wants to pick up a carpc i am going to be uninstalling mine, it has a intel 1.6ghz dual processor with 512mb ram, i also have a 1gb that i havent upgraded that will be included, it has an 80gb hard drive with windows vista installed, a gps antenna with microsoft streets and tips 2007 installed and an m2-atx power supply. Included is an external sound card, usb dvd drive, 4 port usb hub and a mini ps3 keyboard. Also has the necessary extension for lilliput monitors that is 15ft long and a long power cord to connect your monitor for power from the carpc itself. It is all self contained in a mini case that is easy to install, you just to fab up a monitor and you will be good to go. 300 shipped and its yours.
Sorry if i hijacked your thread dude.
Sorry if i hijacked your thread dude.
If anyone wants to pick up a carpc i am going to be uninstalling mine, it has a intel 1.6ghz dual processor with 512mb ram, i also have a 1gb that i havent upgraded that will be included, it has an 80gb hard drive with windows vista installed, a gps antenna with microsoft streets and tips 2007 installed and an m2-atx power supply. Included is an external sound card, usb dvd drive, 4 port usb hub and a mini ps3 keyboard. Also has the necessary extension for lilliput monitors that is 15ft long and a long power cord to connect your monitor for power from the carpc itself. It is all self contained in a mini case that is easy to install, you just to fab up a monitor and you will be good to go. 300 shipped and its yours.
Sorry if i hijacked your thread dude.
Sorry if i hijacked your thread dude.
I think I've cut my carpet so many times an emo kid would be proud.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: VA
desktops and such, yes you have to wait for it to load out of hibernation. by gutting the loading transitions and gutting the op system people can reduce it to 30 secs or so, sometimes. with a laptop, you make it go to standby and let it run off its own battery. this is why laptops really are superior in the end. because they are on instantly, unless you don't drive your car more than a couple times a month.
Last edited by Flaring Afro; May 12, 2009 at 04:04 PM.
^ desktops and such, yes you have to wait for it to load out of hibernation. by gutting the loading transitions and gutting the op system people can reduce it to 30 secs or so, sometimes. with a laptop, you make it go to standby and let it run off its own battery. this is why laptops really are superior in the end. because they are on instantly, unless you don't drive your car more than a couple times a month.
its harder then a case computer, you have to take it apart and if you look at the power button there are 4 small pins on 2 sides, you have to wire up a switch and put the two wires on which ever 2 pins start the laptop. The problem is the pins are very small and it is hard to keep from breaking the solder points. it has been done successfully by some people, i just couldnt get mine to work.
its harder then a case computer, you have to take it apart and if you look at the power button there are 4 small pins on 2 sides, you have to wire up a switch and put the two wires on which ever 2 pins start the laptop. The problem is the pins are very small and it is hard to keep from breaking the solder points. it has been done successfully by some people, i just couldnt get mine to work.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: VA
you just grab an auto adapter for your laptop. There are universal ones on ebay for $12 shipped that work fine. You cut the tip of it off and wire it in instead of using the cigarette lighter hole. You have to keep the brick in the power adapter though because that regulates how much power you get, and cars have DC electricity not AC like your house so the normal wall plug would never work.
Then as far as starting it, yes you have to hardwire to the power button but its rarely not successful.
Then as far as starting it, yes you have to hardwire to the power button but its rarely not successful.
hmmm i found some info on a bios that will start the computer as soon as it gets power. that would be perfect, as soon as the key is turned to the on position the computer would boot up. I'm sure someone could even figure out a way to have it boot up when the alarm is unlocked.
where do you guys mount all the hardware? i believe the OP said he was going to do it under the passenger seat?
and p.s. i hope im not ruining your build thread with all my questions
Nope. I'm enjoying reading what other people are doing as well!
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: VA
also, i thinks windows might be a must. there isnt really any front end software for apple (and everything that will work with it is much more expensive, as usual). then for linux, i just dont think there are any good front ends either, though i havent looked into it. as long as you have a solid processor and ram you should be ok, just wipe it clean and reinstall windows (maybe tinyxp). all its going to do is gps, video, and audio so as long as you dont overload it (which with those alone will be hard) you should be ok. at least if you're only doing the basics.
EDIT: Got my netbook and something is barely in the way there which i might trim. Made a thread about it here. It also has pictures since I have trouble explaining where I'm installing it...
Last edited by Flaring Afro; May 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM.