computer in the car?

N

nemix

New Member
I was thinking about building a pc for my car. Why you may ask? I don't know, just don't want a laptop really, I want something I can custom build for the car.

My questions would be:

What kind of harddrive should I get, I would guess this is important because of the bumps and vibrations in the car.

Will heat when the computers off and just sitting in the car damage any components? I live in california and we hit 100s in the summer time.

I have more than enough room in the glove compartment for it and the the air conditioning actually blows partially into that compartment so heat when the car's on shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Ideas?
 
How do you think you'll power it? I don't think that the car's cigarette lighter can supply enough power for the computer and a monitor.

Interesting project though. Been thinking of something similar myself....
 
I think I could build some contraption to suspend the harddrive and rdeuce any bumps down to little force.

I'm still wondering how the summer heat will play a role when the computer is first turned on though. any ideas?
 
Refrigerant cooled (forgot the real name). It's kinda expensive though. Last time i checked a kit is like $600 or more.
 
#1- mp3car.com is where it's at for caputers.
#2-SSD is expensive, but worth it.

You have to plan it out really well, I have learned. Basics are do you have room for screen in your dash? I am planning on bondoing my into my dash this summer, hopefully.

It actually is pretty cool if you do it though, friend has one, but no SSD. Kind of a shock mounted enclosure for it.
 
Sounds very interesting..... where would you mount the thing????

Might have to look into what the police do here in AUS with their MDTs (computers)

It is like all mounted under the sets etc..... and a small monitor above or below the car radio system.....

Very interesting word

The SSD is like $$$$$ costly but good luck!
 
g25racer said:
Thats sweet. Wish i was a cop in aus. LOL
Click to expand...

lol... they do all their searches like that for car checks etc.. and for the ambos they have their job / case they are going to and their details all on the screen! :D

i was having a read through the website and he is using a laptop hard drive because in a laptop it jumps around a bit he uses that. But he has a very nice setup.
 
It sounds like a pretty sweet idea.

I was thinking to keep it cool maybe if you have an old car it wouldnt be such a good idea cos they tend to heat up more when they are sitting in the sun.

Maybe you could cool it by making a proper air duct from the air-con to the glove box, also it would be a good idea to take advantage of the fact that you will be moving so maybe setting up a radiator and mounting it next to your normal car one to liquid cool it.

Also you should test how hot the car actually gets when sitting in the sun and if it gets too hot you could make a proper mounting for the computer in the glove box like you said but make it so it can be easily removed if it gets too hot.
 
Yea I was taking a look at the mp3car site, does anyone know how hot electronics in a computer have to get when they aren't active to get damaged? That's really my biggest concern.

My airconditioning does have a duct going into the glove box but I want to test how hot my car gets in the summer. If it's too hot I don't want to have to worry about taking out of the car and a laptop might be the better choice then.

Speaking of laptops though. Can they function without there screens because I could just mount a fold down screen in the front of the car....
 
Can anyone say perfect for storm chasing? I have 2 old dells laying around ( linux and windows 2000) and I want to go storm chasing this spring. I have no money or will to buy a laptop so I was wanting to put one of my dells in my car. Sounds sweet but I have no idea how to get the power to it.
 
They have bigger power converters (i remember seeing) ill look into it later when I get home.

Only thing with the desktops is if you just throw it in the car I'd be worried about the harddrive, I transported my computer somewhere for quite a few hours and the harddrive started to go bad after that trip....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top