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So, let's start with a little background. A while back, I was given a VIA Artigo Pico PC and I immediate wanted to turn it into a CarPC. It runs on 12V DC so seemed like the perfect candidate. The only thing was, I wanted the entire system to be completely removable for 2 reasons - #1, I don't like doing anything that changes a car permanently because I'm always worried about screwing something up and #2, I needed to be able to remove the computer and screen when it gets really cold here in winter.
I bought a Lilliput 7" touchscreen and decided on a Proclip mount. With lots of help from schatzy62 and lacning74, I was able to get the system working from the cigarette lighter socket using a splitter and 2 adapters for the PC and screen. Everything was just stuffed in the cubby under the toggle switches, the CarPC was under the passenger seat so there were wires running all over and it was a mess...but it worked.
I used it for a few months, then kind of went back to using my iPhone but recently the software product I use for the CarPC (Centrafuse) announced they were coming out with a new version so I decided to put a little more work into making the system better. I didn't like the mess in the cubby or the fact that I was using the cigarette lighter socket. Again with help from the CarPC experts on here, I was able to wire my cigarette lighter splitter to an add-a-circuit and have the whole system controlled by a switch in the center cubby. Considering I've never done any kind of wiring inside a car, this was quite an achievement for me.
This week after talking with schatzy62 and waiting for Centrafuse 3 to finally come out, I discovered that it's not a major task to open up and remove the secret compartment...I thought it required some pretty extensive dash surgery, but it turns out it's about 10 screws and some panel popping. I remove the secret compartment insert, and ran all of my wires down into the passenger footwell where I have my cigarette adapter mounted. This cleaned things up tremendously, the PC is now completely hidden, there are no wires running down the center of the car and it just feels much nicer. And the cool thing is, everything I did is 100% reversible and the car could be back to stock within an hour, no spliced wires, no holes in panels etc.
I have a little more work I want to do, I want to extend the power button of the PC out to a momentary switch somewhere in the center console so that I can initiate a startup or hibernation of the PC without opening the secret compartment - this will require me to tackle something else I've never done....soldering!
Anyway, here are some pics of the current system, and thanks again to schatzy62 and lacning74, your help has been invaluable and I couldn't have done it without you....Centrafuse 3 tomorrow!!!
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06 MCSa -SB/S, Silver Bonnet Stripes, MFSW (gone)
09 MCSa - Laser Blue/Black, Black Bridge Spokes, Black Bonnet Stripes
I'm running an nlite'd copy of XP Pro with EWF and HORM ripped from XP Embedded. The front end is Centrafuse 2 by Fluxmedia with the Aura skin. I'm not using GPS or ODBII yet (soon) but Centrafuse does just fine for MP3 and DivX/Xvid playback. I'm just using the aux input, the only thing I can't do is change tracks with the steering wheel controls...
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06 MCSa -SB/S, Silver Bonnet Stripes, MFSW (gone)
09 MCSa - Laser Blue/Black, Black Bridge Spokes, Black Bonnet Stripes
08MCCS, HC/HC/Blk, 6 SPD, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, Convenience, HiFi, HC L/C - Steering Wheel - Shift Knob-Boot, - E Brake Handle-Boot, English Oak - 17" Web Spoke (R98) Painted H/C, H/C Club Member #42.
