Welcome to Jim's Car PC PageOriginal Design Goal: Assemble and install components in my 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 pickup truck that will allow me to use PC-based GPS mapping and navigation software and the LCD screen with my RV backup camera. Exploit other capabilities of a mobile PC (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS data, Email, Web, Web Camera, MP3s, Pictures, DVD Movies). Note that I have no plans to watch movies, surf the web etc. while I am driving, nor do I suggest that anyone attempts this. Note also that as of 01-Jan-2006, the State of Illinois enacted new Vehicle Code the limits the use of video devices forward of the driver's seat to specific functions. I hear the fine is $500! Latest Updates: October-2006: I have begun this project and hope to complete it yet this month. To date, I have run 4 gauge wiring from under the hood the back seat area. I have installed and wired in a Sure Power 1602, 160 amp multiple battery isolator and a Phoenix Gold 100 amp circuit breaker - both under the hood. I used soldered copper lugs for all terminal ends. I heatshrinked the ends, ran all the cable in high temperature wire loom and used insulating boots on terminals where short circuits could easily occur. Next to do is rewiring all components in the truck back to the back seat area to a new fuse block and connecting it all to an AGM battery mounted under the back seat. Link to installation pictures of Isolator and Circuit Breaker under the hood.
July-2006: With these additions, I now have near full-time/real-time Internet access. With that access, I use the Axis Network Camera to upload the current image that the camera sees (forward of truck point of view) as well as a Java stream. For now, I have abandoned troubleshooting the PCMCIA adapter issue where I am unable to use a Wi-Fi client PC card. KarPC.com, the company I bought the Xenarc (Sumicom) PC from is working with me and has sent me a new PCMCIA cage/adapter that should clear the issue. With the addition of the router, the antenna constellation has grown to to 4 antennas (Sirius Satellite Radio, Garmin 18 GPS, Wi-Fi and Cellular). I am using a Connectix PC Power Supply with a Startup/Shutdown controller. Since the PC is not located next to the power supply, I needed to lengthen the cable that is used by the PS to signal the PC to go into shutdown. The extension cable I tried was not working correctly. So at this time, I am not getting graceful shut downs. The next "big" upgrade that i want to do is setup a Windows Server at home and pull a video stream from the RAM Cam for broadcast from the server. This way I don't tie up precious bandwidth form the truck serving multiple streams. After the server/broadcaster setup, I want to install a software front-end on the CarPC so I can have a simpler and safer operation via touch screen of the couple programs I use (nRoute, Microsoft Streets and Trips and Internet Explorer). Still researching the various front-ends out there. Looking for one that is not too much overkill for my application. Here's my comprehensive project to-do list:
Project Status/Updates: March-2006: Aside from the lack of Wi-Fi, I am really happy with the Car PC, the install and the clean look of it all. Remaining aspects/issues to complete/resolve:
Feb-2006:
The image above shows the 7" Xenarc Touchscreen mounting to the front of the dash in my 2005 Dodge RAM 3500 pickup truck. A friend and I fabricated a bracket from a length of 1" wide band steel. It rides very well and is stable and within easy reach. While the top of the unit is higher than the top front edge of the dash, at my head height, it does not obstruct my view of the road at all.
Updated:
10/14/2006 09:08:57 PM
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