My Apple Car-Puter Install Project - First Pics
08-12-2009, 03:31 PM
#126
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Man seeing this work makes me really want to startup my project to install a Mac into a car. I started this project in my Accord, which required a lot of modification of the head unit faceplate, circuit board and everything. I ended up selling the car and all the components. Looks like the screen fits beautifully and what a beautiful location for the mini.
08-31-2009, 09:41 AM
#131
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its a function of the screen itself. it has an rca input that when it reads a signal from that input automatically switches to that channel...this is done simply by attaching the camera to this video input and the positive lead of the reverse lights...this will turn the camera on thus telling the screen to switch over.
10-30-2009, 09:33 AM
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Ok, quick photo post...
Here are a few pics of the build...
there are some of the mechanism to get the screen to switch off when the hood is in the 'down' position. Basically, when the hood is down, the contacts touch, completing the circuit, powering a relay, which switches the monitor off. The hood has some little flanges/stoppers which suit this purpose brilliantly. A bit of hot glue to hold everything in place, and voila! Works a treat. Press open, and the screen comes on.
Here is a screen test, hooking up a mac to the screen....
Lilliput in the Nav Hood
The lower part of the Nav Hood, external, with wire glued in place
Inside, with metal contact in place on stopper.
Upper hood part, external, wiring,
Contact on stopper, upper hood part.
The kit is ready to go into the 8 now...just sorting out the mac mini.
Will need to pick someones brains on the Carnetix 1900 hook-up, a few things are bugging me...but thats a bit later.
Here are a few pics of the build...
there are some of the mechanism to get the screen to switch off when the hood is in the 'down' position. Basically, when the hood is down, the contacts touch, completing the circuit, powering a relay, which switches the monitor off. The hood has some little flanges/stoppers which suit this purpose brilliantly. A bit of hot glue to hold everything in place, and voila! Works a treat. Press open, and the screen comes on.
Here is a screen test, hooking up a mac to the screen....
Lilliput in the Nav Hood
The lower part of the Nav Hood, external, with wire glued in place
Inside, with metal contact in place on stopper.
Upper hood part, external, wiring,
Contact on stopper, upper hood part.
The kit is ready to go into the 8 now...just sorting out the mac mini.
Will need to pick someones brains on the Carnetix 1900 hook-up, a few things are bugging me...but thats a bit later.
Can you elaborate on this a bit...I have a lilliput screen and wanted to jump it to the original board for the on off functionality...what exactly did you do here?
11-09-2009, 07:37 AM
#136
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Ok, all the hardware is mounted in the car.
All went off without a hitch, apart from a tiny scratch on the HU faceplate....dammit. Out comes the fine grit!
Reversing camera is working way better than expected. To reduce reflected glare, I have relayed the rear high light, so when in reverse, the high light doesnt work. Turns out as a bit of a bonus, the camera is a day/night one (I got it with a spare boot lid).
Getting the Nav hood in was a doddle. No dramas.
Only one small issue, getting some alternator whine (a lot actually) when the screen is on. Going to go around in the morning and check all the grounds, see if that fixes it.
Heres some pics taken today after the install:
Now you see it...
Now you dont!
Wide shot of the reverse camera/tail light mod.
Close up...
Dash, with reversing camera image, automatically reversed.
Any help on the alternator whine would be appreciated. It's only when the lilliput is ON.
Cheers
Deano
All went off without a hitch, apart from a tiny scratch on the HU faceplate....dammit. Out comes the fine grit!
Reversing camera is working way better than expected. To reduce reflected glare, I have relayed the rear high light, so when in reverse, the high light doesnt work. Turns out as a bit of a bonus, the camera is a day/night one (I got it with a spare boot lid).
Getting the Nav hood in was a doddle. No dramas.
Only one small issue, getting some alternator whine (a lot actually) when the screen is on. Going to go around in the morning and check all the grounds, see if that fixes it.
Heres some pics taken today after the install:
Now you see it...
Now you dont!
Wide shot of the reverse camera/tail light mod.
Close up...
Dash, with reversing camera image, automatically reversed.
Any help on the alternator whine would be appreciated. It's only when the lilliput is ON.
Cheers
Deano
11-09-2009, 03:00 PM
#137
08-09-2010, 01:59 AM
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Ok, it's been a while, but here's whats happened in the meantime...
I installed XP on the MacMini rather than the Native OSX...(sigh)..
The reason for this is that:
a) Garmin Mobile PC and USB Dongle are PC only...(sigh). Works a treat though.
b) OBDII and ScanTool...heaps more software for PC...
c) CentraFuse....just wish there was a Mac version...but it too runs super sweet.
Will post some pictures now my job for the year is finished and I have some spare time...
I installed XP on the MacMini rather than the Native OSX...(sigh)..
The reason for this is that:
a) Garmin Mobile PC and USB Dongle are PC only...(sigh). Works a treat though.
b) OBDII and ScanTool...heaps more software for PC...
c) CentraFuse....just wish there was a Mac version...but it too runs super sweet.
Will post some pictures now my job for the year is finished and I have some spare time...
08-10-2010, 10:11 PM
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Ok, it's been a while, but now filming is out of the way...
I have installed a momentary switch for the reverse camera, as the model of Lilliput I have does'nt have auto switching (i don't think!)...
The problem I am having at the moment is the 9 pin screw connector at the back of the unit... as the nav hood raises and lowers, the connection (never the best to start with) wiggles free and I get either some awesome colours going on, or a 'No Input Signal' message. I am going to take out the screen assembly and hard wire the connector and see if that helps.
I also have a non Nav Dash hood is mint condition if anyone is interested in buying it or swapping it for bits.
Been playing around last night with Centrafuse & Bluetooth...got my iPhone working fine on it, just need to source a decent USB mic...
All in all, the install is 99% complete...once done in the next week or so, I will post photos and perhaps a video or two of it all set up.
Cheers
Dean
I have installed a momentary switch for the reverse camera, as the model of Lilliput I have does'nt have auto switching (i don't think!)...
The problem I am having at the moment is the 9 pin screw connector at the back of the unit... as the nav hood raises and lowers, the connection (never the best to start with) wiggles free and I get either some awesome colours going on, or a 'No Input Signal' message. I am going to take out the screen assembly and hard wire the connector and see if that helps.
I also have a non Nav Dash hood is mint condition if anyone is interested in buying it or swapping it for bits.
Been playing around last night with Centrafuse & Bluetooth...got my iPhone working fine on it, just need to source a decent USB mic...
All in all, the install is 99% complete...once done in the next week or so, I will post photos and perhaps a video or two of it all set up.
Cheers
Dean
08-10-2010, 10:17 PM
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Here is a quick pic of the momentary switch installed on the radio faceplate...the silver button...a quick push and the reverse camera comes on...
08-12-2010, 08:53 PM
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Updates:
Software: DashCommand and Garmin are now integrated nicely into Centrafuse & the custom RX8 skin has been fine tuned and tweaked. I have also manually added all the NZ speed cameras and known speed traps to facilitate my safe driving...
Hardware: Apparently, the dicky 9 Pin Screw Connector on the back of the Lilliputs is a known issue, so out it comes, and the factory connector will be taken apart, and a nice fresh new connector will replace it. I was getting some interesting screen colour changes and the more than occasional 'no input signal' message... the 8 is unique in having the powered dash hood, and all the moving open and closed (and tilt) aren't kind to dodgy connections.
Also going to add an OBDII Port Power Kill switch so that the Scan Box is not always being powered when not driven. Having enough problems with drained battery without one more thing to sap the juice.
Aiming for next monday to do everything, and replace the spark plugs/airfilter/clean throttle body (new to the mehanical stuff on the 8) and all the computer stuff...will post pics of the final install of the carputer too.
Cheers
Dean
Software: DashCommand and Garmin are now integrated nicely into Centrafuse & the custom RX8 skin has been fine tuned and tweaked. I have also manually added all the NZ speed cameras and known speed traps to facilitate my safe driving...
Hardware: Apparently, the dicky 9 Pin Screw Connector on the back of the Lilliputs is a known issue, so out it comes, and the factory connector will be taken apart, and a nice fresh new connector will replace it. I was getting some interesting screen colour changes and the more than occasional 'no input signal' message... the 8 is unique in having the powered dash hood, and all the moving open and closed (and tilt) aren't kind to dodgy connections.
Also going to add an OBDII Port Power Kill switch so that the Scan Box is not always being powered when not driven. Having enough problems with drained battery without one more thing to sap the juice.
Aiming for next monday to do everything, and replace the spark plugs/airfilter/clean throttle body (new to the mehanical stuff on the 8) and all the computer stuff...will post pics of the final install of the carputer too.
Cheers
Dean
08-13-2010, 03:03 PM
#145
You install looks amazing but I have a small question which you may have covered and I just missed but what do you do about switching the system of is it a case of manual shut down like a regular pc through the OS or have you figured out a way of pressing a button and it immediately starts the shut down procedure.
08-13-2010, 05:30 PM
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Hiya Shifty.
The Carnetix (car power supply) has a cable called the 'Mac Pac' which allows the ignition to switch the mac on and off.
The way it works is, you open up the Mac, and add a very simple connector to the power button. That connector is fed out the back of the Mac through a ventilation slot. The power cable for the Carnetix to the mac has a little side cable that plugs into this new connection. When the ignition is turned on, the Carnetix sends a quick 'pulse' to the power switch, (in effect, pressing the power button) and turning on the Mac. When the ignition power is lost (i.e. ignition switched off)...the carnetix sends another pulse which presses the power button again, shutting down the Mac.
Now, I have this system, but with an extra twist... rather than being hooked up to the ignition directly, I have added a 'Valet' switch. When I eat out or am at the Casino, I don't want the Carputer switching while the Valet has the car...so under the dash I have installed a switch which runs of the ignition, to the carputer power supply. I normally leave the switch open daily, so it just runs off the 'key', but now I have the option of easily disabling too...
That help?
Once everything is up and running properly (i.e. all the bugs are out) I will post a DIY type thingy...most of this I am learning as I go along :-)
The Carnetix (car power supply) has a cable called the 'Mac Pac' which allows the ignition to switch the mac on and off.
The way it works is, you open up the Mac, and add a very simple connector to the power button. That connector is fed out the back of the Mac through a ventilation slot. The power cable for the Carnetix to the mac has a little side cable that plugs into this new connection. When the ignition is turned on, the Carnetix sends a quick 'pulse' to the power switch, (in effect, pressing the power button) and turning on the Mac. When the ignition power is lost (i.e. ignition switched off)...the carnetix sends another pulse which presses the power button again, shutting down the Mac.
Now, I have this system, but with an extra twist... rather than being hooked up to the ignition directly, I have added a 'Valet' switch. When I eat out or am at the Casino, I don't want the Carputer switching while the Valet has the car...so under the dash I have installed a switch which runs of the ignition, to the carputer power supply. I normally leave the switch open daily, so it just runs off the 'key', but now I have the option of easily disabling too...
That help?
Once everything is up and running properly (i.e. all the bugs are out) I will post a DIY type thingy...most of this I am learning as I go along :-)
08-13-2010, 05:38 PM
#147
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100% The Nav hood fits either left or right hand drive cars. The more 'interchangeable' parts a car has for either, the cheaper is is to produce.
08-14-2010, 03:49 AM
#148
So the mac shuts down properly not just cuts off is that what your saying.
Diy thread would be excellent im desperate to do this not sure il use a mac il probably put something together from salvaged pc,s from work but all the guys who have done this only give bits of detail no how to guides.
Diy thread would be excellent im desperate to do this not sure il use a mac il probably put something together from salvaged pc,s from work but all the guys who have done this only give bits of detail no how to guides.
08-14-2010, 03:56 AM
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So the mac shuts down properly not just cuts off is that what your saying.
Diy thread would be excellent im desperate to do this not sure il use a mac il probably put something together from salvaged pc,s from work but all the guys who have done this only give bits of detail no how to guides.
Diy thread would be excellent im desperate to do this not sure il use a mac il probably put something together from salvaged pc,s from work but all the guys who have done this only give bits of detail no how to guides.
My original intention was to run Mac OS, but realistically, the software just isn't there.
A Mac Mini (an Intel one, so you can run Windows) is a great one shot solution...and they can be picked up pretty cheap second hand. It's all there. They come with WiFi, Bluetooth, etc all built in in a tidy little box.
I am so close to the finish line that it's not funny... after working on this on and off for about two years... learning as I go... will defiantly post a DIY for those who want to have a crack at it. I will always be around to lend a hand with any advice too. Anything under the bonnet though, I don't have a clue...my good mate helps me out with that side of things :-)
08-18-2010, 03:20 AM
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So, I have ripped everything out, and re-wiring the lot to remove any of the bugs..
This picture is of the dodgey 9 Pin Din parts (male & female)
Rewiring one of the cables ends...
The same wire after the new connectors have been wired up and soldered. Much more secure fittings.
Testing the connection..photo of the Dash Command screen...
Finally, the Centrafuse skin I modified for the RX8...
Starting putting it all back into the car...have a little trouble with the Nav Hood, the connectors have come lose, and lost calibration.. will get on that tomorrow.
Apart from that, all wiring now in the car, connections soldered, covered in insulation tape.. set up a cut off switch for the OBD II port, so it doesn't drain the battery whilst connected to the ELM327 (when the car is off).
More pics to come. About a week from being totally finished and wrapped up, all being well.
This picture is of the dodgey 9 Pin Din parts (male & female)
Rewiring one of the cables ends...
The same wire after the new connectors have been wired up and soldered. Much more secure fittings.
Testing the connection..photo of the Dash Command screen...
Finally, the Centrafuse skin I modified for the RX8...
Starting putting it all back into the car...have a little trouble with the Nav Hood, the connectors have come lose, and lost calibration.. will get on that tomorrow.
Apart from that, all wiring now in the car, connections soldered, covered in insulation tape.. set up a cut off switch for the OBD II port, so it doesn't drain the battery whilst connected to the ELM327 (when the car is off).
More pics to come. About a week from being totally finished and wrapped up, all being well.