MK2 180 Centre Console Tablet build project - Making Another One?

[Smokey]

If I ever do another one Pete it will be far less complicated!
This ones a labour of love to have it as custom as possible!

[BUCKYDEVIL]

Brilliant bit of work coming along nicely there, How do you know so much about electronics mate ? past work or are you learning it as you go ?

[Smokey]

been learning since I was about 10! Just kept taking stuff apart and trying to reassemble it. Failed many a time but just seemed to logically be able to work things out.
What I don't know, I try to find out!

[Ritchy]

Originally Posted by Smokey

been learning since I was about 10! Just kept taking stuff apart and trying to reassemble it. Failed many a time but just seemed to logically be able to work things out.
What I don't know, I try to find out!

i did the same taught myself how engines worked, started with lawnmower engines, got about 10 out the dump, got 5 of them to run out a mismatch of parts lol, definatly the best way to learn,

its looking very promising mate, keep at it

[Smokey]

Cheers Ritchy, I plan on making this as close to perfect as I am capable!

[SimonMGZS]

Originally Posted by Smokey

OK, I created a thread a looong time ago with rough outline to my plans for a custom centre console. Thread was here:

http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=11562

Well today I completed my order of items bar one or two cables. I have done this on a ?500 budget and still have around ?100 left. (I already had the laptop)

I have chosen to go with a laptop under the footwell for a couple of reasons; space/ventilation and when ignition goes off the PC will still run on laptop battery so no rebooting every petrol stop!

The plan is thus:

I am completely customising the centre console from the bottom up.

Installed will be a touchscreen monitor with DVD drive beneath it, usb slots, power button and push start button.

The above will be connected to a laptop with sat nav, ipod connectivity and all the usual PC gubbins (internet etc)

I will be installing an amp as there will be no head unit.

The four buttons along the top (fogs etc) will be removed and replaced with red led ring switches.

OBD2 data will be accessible.

The aircon will be relocated on the centre console and will be changed to red led's to match the rest of the dash.

I plan on extending the dash over the ashtray recess as I have no use for it and it means I can position USB ports there.

I will be running Centrafuse front end for the PC and I am running a second 4" monitor in the dash recess where the light sensor for climate control is. This will be hinged to allow it to be stowed away.

This monitor will be a secondary desktop, so using my iphone as a mouse, I will be able to have it display sat nav/obd2 data or......

I am also installing 2 night vision colour cameras, front and rear. The rear one will activate when I go in reverse and will display on the 4" monitor.
The front camera will be available to both monitors and will have a record function too. Obviously not gonna be high quality but will be fun. Also has night vision so may come in useful.

Lastly, I already have rear parking sensors but someone installed front ones but they have never worked and are becoming loose. So I have ordered new ones and they have a monitor that tells you the distance of the car in front. This will replace the clock.

Anyway, you're all probably asleep by now so here's some piccies!


ALL THE ELECTRICAL GOODIES

did i see a sealey power products power inverter in all that.if it is i would not use that at all as they have a tendancy to go faulty plus also they do not give out the right sine wave for running computers.

[Smokey]

Cheers for the concern mate. It doesn't appear to be a Sealy model but regardless it is not being used to run a computer, it is purely to power the USB Hub which I have tested. If it fails, it will not be a major issue.

[talkingcars]

I'm still concerned about the use of a laptop, they are not designed to run while on the move.

Have you replaced the hard drive with a solid state version, that would go some way to helping.

[Smokey]

I ran a standard pc base in the boot a few years back with normal hdd. Bearing in mind they are not designed to move at all whereas laptops are, and it never had an issues. I will be using foam to absorb some motion as well but I don't forsee any issues. Time will tell

[caled]

Originally Posted by talkingcars

Have you replaced the hard drive with a solid state version

That's not a bad idea, you know, or even run the whole thing from a 16/32GB pen drive. Hard drives really dont like being wobbled.