Ideas and Creativity: Car PC Project
 

I have a neat little project planned for installing a computer into my Honda Accord. I've gotten myself an 800 Watt inverter and wired it up with triple protection so the power is there to give. I have a little monitor, keyboard and mouse to use as well. The only problem I have is I dunno where to start as far as a location XD. Here's my car: https://imgur.com/a/1QtKX
I have an older micro ATX motherboard and a tiny 150 watt power supply I'd like to fit in somewhere. (out of the pc case of course) Can be seen here: https://imgur.com/a/obLLD
I have to use the glovebox and console so I'm looking at anywhere from under the front seats back to the trunk lid is fair game :P
If anyone is wondering why I'm doing this there are multiple reasons.
1. For the heck of it and the challenge :P
2. So I can have my archive of tech. manuals and music on demand.
3. For entertainment while waiting on someone, a party, or for passengers on a trip. This May be an older rig but it can emulate Playstation and many other consoles as well as older pc games.
4. I plan to get an USB OBD2 link with software that i can hook right in so i can see all of my sensor and engine activity without buying an expensive scan tool. (Link:Universal Compatible PC OBD2 OBDII USB Device Can Bus Diagnose Interface Adapter | eBay)
I'd like to keep as much trunk space as I can though. If anyone has any cool ideas on placement, clever things noone usually thinks about, or things you'd like to see done in this project please share :3

car PC's are awesome. you have an excellent platform.

there is space under both front seats. if you sacrifice the air duct(s) from behind the dash to under the seat you have a ton of room to route cables.

see my build log (link in sig) for ideas on building the system and what the car looks like stripped.

That's awesome but the only air ducks In my LX are the ones in the dash for the top and lower vents. No backseat console vents or fancy heated seats that I know of :3

EDIT: Just checked. I never noticed it but you're right. There is indeed a massive duct down there XD. How do I go about removing the passenger's side duct work? Also I found this if anyone needs pointers on console disassembling. http://www.handa-accessories.com/acc...rdindashex.pdf

those cars come apart very easily. i could strip the interior and carpet out in under 45 minutes.

the duct is just attached behind the dash. i cut mine flush up behind the dash and removed the duct, it just gave me more air at my feet.

Oh neat! I'm thinking of cutting it down a bit and running a flexible duct off of it to act as ventilation for the motherboard eliminating the need for a bunch of fans. Trying to figure out exactly how i'm gonna secure the motherboard under there though.

EDIT: I think I've figured out how I'll mount it. To avoid putting a bunch of holes in my unibody and static I'll secure the motherboard on a small thin piece of wood and use only few mounting points (2, 4 at the most) to the metal. Spacers/washers (cardboard or nylon) will be used to act as spacers between the motherboard and the wood so the solder wont crack on the board. I think this will be a gold idea and I'll add wire to the power supply and mount it on the hump in the middle of the floor in the back by an angle mount. :D


5/21/14: Cut the ac shaft back square to the frame hump with a utility knife and made a pattern for my future panel out of a plastic lid.
Can be seen here: https://i.imgur.com/fs8qbzb.jpg
Components are here: https://i.imgur.com/i96EXno.jpg


Motherboard is Mounted :D:
I used an old computer case side panel to make my mounting plate with, mounted my motherboard with plenty of cushion so it wont flex and crack, and I have my a/c shaft pointing between the ram and cpu for cooling :D. Position is perfect for all seat positions. Progress here: https://imgur.com/a/obLLD

Inverter Status & Progress
 

So my Inverter had a bit of a malfunction and wouldn't go over 200 watts without overload light coming on. Called O'reilly's and asked if I could bring it back for a newer model. They said yes bring it and we'll switch it :3. Took it up there and they gave me a New Peak 800 Watt Continuous, 1600 Watt surge max inverter. The inverter is more compact, quiet, and not only has the two 3 prong outlets but has a USB port and 3 fuses instead of 2. I mounted it and Tested my PC. Pictures can be seen here: https://imgur.com/a/obLLD

Attachment 24704

In Car PC Project Progress 6/7/14
 

https://imgur.com/a/xxEBI


Attachment 24703

Wires get extended, hidden, and tucked