TemjinX2

After having a carputer in my other two cars, i couldn't go without on in the benz for long.


The vision




I have to say is that the stock wiring sucks and is hyper sensitive.

So i decided run my own wiring without using any of the stock wiring.

The only stock wiring i'm using right now is just the cig lighter as my trigger through a relay to run power to all the components.







i'm basically running 4 gauge power and 8 gauge ground from the battery to a power distribution block in the back.

Thankfully mercedes made this part easy since there already is a mini tunnel to run all the wiring to the back.

here's the final product of my work









Specs are

7'' lilput touch screen

1.4ghz pentium M
geforce 5200fx agp card
512mb pc3200
250gb western digital 7200rpm hdd
usb sb live 5.1 sound

200watt dc-dc power supply


infinity front speakers
alphine amp

eclipse amp
eclipse 10'' sub.

right now i'm having trouble with the sub. if i can't get it for work i might just through in my JL's.

i have wirless too but i haven't install it yet.

boohooramblers

Great job man! I'd be interested in a comprehensive write-up if you get the time and can remember all the steps.
Looks great - especially this screen shot!

splinter

+1

That turned out really well. Excellent job.

Hjartarson

Good job - Very clean!

Where do you keep the computer itself?

loudandheard

If you don't mind me asking. How mcuh did this project cost?

calimax

sweet job!

TemjinX2

its not too difficult, just really time consuming. it took me around 3wks since i can only work on it during the weekends or work on it a hr or two after work.

the hardest part is fiberglassing the screen. i do admit i outsourced that part of it, since i suck with fiberglass.

everything else is pretty much a diy.

let me know what questions you have. if you can install your own subs and speakers its pretty much the same process.

right now the way i have it setup is i have 8 guage power and ground running from the distribution block to the front to power the screen, radar detector and a switch to turn the computer on and off.

before all that i have a relay connected to the 8 guage power and i use the cig lighter as the trigger. So there's no power running through any of the components when the car is not in the second ignition postion.

the switch is connected to a relay that acts as a tigger for my computer which is connected to a 8 guage power and ground to the distribution block.

if i leave the switch in the off position the computer will not boot, but i can still use my radar detector and screen.

the same switch is also the trigger for my amps as well.

TemjinX2

i also like to add that i'm using media engine as the front end. So the screen pics are customizable and you can also select different skins.

it also gives you the option to use third party software like gps or bluetooth as well.

TopGun32

I'm glad you are on this board bro!

OUt of the gate you started to contribute with your "hands on" knowledge!

congrats on the project.

loungn14

Very nicely done

c32used

Sweet!!! Thanks for posting it!

TemjinX2

thanks...I hope more people post there projects and add more pics.

TemjinX2

i also included a basic schematic of what i did.

Excuse the MS paint job. The switch is a option, but i would recommend using relays versus having them directly connected. Running that much current isn't really recommended for your components.




My computer and distribution block is in the trunk. The computer in the spare tire well, which is a perfect size for a comp.

demigod

Any probs with the computer overheating in there?

TemjinX2

nope never had it over heat. I'm using a laptop processor, so it only uses 15watts of power. The heatsink is barely warm to the touch. Considering i'm running a desktop fan, its probably running cooler then the cpu's in navigation system out there.

viper501

Very nicely done!

1qikctr

good Job !!!

TemjinX2

for those of you who want to build there own car computer.

this place is a great place to start.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/newb...ere-start.html

amanonfire

What are you using for radio right now?

I want my steering wheel controls and FM radio still, so I am doing the AUX-in mod on the tap deck until I have time to buy a Canbus adapter, datalog, and write my own software to interpret the steering wheel controls and write text to the gauge screen.

I've been using RR (its free!) yet am unhappy with how clunky it feels.

TemjinX2

you can use a usb hd tuner. it comes with hd tv, analog tv and fm radio.

something similar to this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815144026

i tried to use rr since there more features available, but it doesn't seem stable for my system. It kepted crashing. I'm currently using Media Engine, since it seems more reliable.

billbugger

Found this thread off your sig. That looks great.

I was thinking about doing the same thing only with a Mac Mini.
Kinda like this: http://www.macvroom.com/macd-ride-2005-mazda-3/

TemjinX2

thanks. yeah actually a mac mini would be perfect, since it can just fit in the glove box. I just built my computer with spare parts lying around in my house.

If i had a choice i would've just bought a one of those aopen mini's and left it in the glove box.

TemjinX2

if you dont feel like piecing together your own machine. You can go with something like this.

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Code=CCC%2D130

its basically a computer integrated behind a 6.5'' touch screen in double din form. So you would just mount it like you would a deck.

here's a video of it on the home page of the manufacturer.

http://www.azentek.com/

viper501

Wow, 2999.99 for a device that has no warranty or support? I think I'd rather burn up a mac mini or two experimenting before dumping that kind of cash for something that the dealer fails to support in any real manner.

c32used

Stick with automotive stuff its easy to install and easy to maintain...I bet I spent a little over half that price and re-did my whole audio system...may not be as programmable as a PC but honestly are we in the car that much to use it as a PC?