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Ok, me and a buddy of mine were playing around with a crazy concept... I came up with the idea to put a computer into my truck... We roughly designed the complete system which would control EVERYTHING!!! How does dual 6.5 LCD display in-dash, 133mhz pentium, Term-Pro installed with mic hook-ups outside the cab for makin' comps happen at will... I was also thinking modem with cell so I can come here on long road trips... Not to mention computer games for the passenger, and DVD player... the scary thing is that this won't cost too much, like $4000... I will be sure to let you all know how its coming along...
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Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Damn all you people : ) taking my ideas. where are you coming up with 4000 bucks? p133 are really cheap now. Only think I can think that wel cost you is Term Pro and the mic. Dont forget to buy a inverter!
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Man I don't think you fully understand, I want to run EVERYTHING!!! Were talking from spark timing to amp rack cooling to vehicle security... The system will consist of 2 P5 133mhz processors, one system will be the for the vehicle operations and one for the Windows system... I almost have it all planned out, as soon as I figure out how to get it to interface with itself, and where to put the keyboards in a standard cab pickup, I am set... By the way, that estimate was in Canadian funds, so it would be like $1700 U.S. funds...
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Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Sounds like a cool plan, but don't be driving on New Years Eve. That Year 2000 Bug just might get you!!! Another cool idea.... you could do away with the steering wheel and drive with the mouse! Err, maybe not.
------------------ THE MACK aka BIG POPPA www.Geocities.com/Motorcity/Flats/1041 Mack Daddy-- You better roll with the big mack, the man with the game Mack Daddy--
Posts: 237 | From: East Texas | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Don't worry, I've already thought of the fact that the computer might freeze, we are designing an backup system... The computer won't have complete control over all systems, just the systems that are non-essential to the vehicle's safe operation, eg lights and turn signals will be controled by the factory relays, but will be tapped into simmilar to a security install with digitally controled relays for cool stuff... I was also contemplating installing a LED bar in the grill simmilar to Kit, the car from Night Rider, cool eh???
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Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Hey, btw, it's K.I.T.T. Knight Industries Two Thousand. Just my 2 cents. Hey that may not even count for two, how about just a penny. Sorry, going off topic. The computer idea sounds cool. Do you think you could use the computer as a digital filter (ie crossover/eq) for the system? I know that I can filter and process digital information in real time, don't know why you couldn't do it to your music. Oh, and one other thing. You might want to get a laptop hard drive, if this vehicle is for SPL, then you hard drive won't like all the vibration.
------------------ Shedluv No matter what it says, I'll always be just a junior.
"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
posted
Hey thats my idea... not the run the van thing but i have my 200 running in my 93 astro, APC backup and line filter, term pac among other programs. i can run a Db drag with no plag in and run off battery power for 3 hours. am working on body right now. with external video and light tower plugs. i'll get the pics up on the web page as soon as the page is up.
it works awsome. and i know its not my idea, just my construction.
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Posts: 10 | From: Chatham, On. Canada | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
RE: using windows, you should probably try a small installation of Linux (the trinux kernel and basic tools can fit on a floppy) as its more stable and its free - as are its tools. If you then ran a windows emulator - either WINE or... a new one,. WMware (??) for running windows software.... that would cut the cost and make any new program development needed for interfacing all the gear ALOT easier..... and you can still run all the windoze stuff as well...
You'll probably need to look carefully at the components as most computers can go VERY funny with lotsa vibration,.. ie a hard drive head sits DAMN close to the platter,.. now think how much it'll jolt goin over a pothole....
g'luck :-)
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Posts: 14 | From: Sydney, Australia | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Well, ya see... I was thinking about running 2 seperate systems, one for the windows and one with a UNIX system which will run everthing... I thought about getting it to do crossover/EQ functions but since I have a Symmetry EPX2, then I thought about having the RDAT wired into the to computer... That got complicated so I nixed the idea... I almost have the vibration problem under control with a slick little hydralic dampning base I am desiging... It will be a while until its all worked out but its definatly going to happen... It makes you wonder why GM didn't think about this when they built my truck in 1985... I was also thinking about integrating an air lift system with electronic air control with programmed stunts... That would be cool... By the way this system it just going to be for cool factor, I really don't care about much else...
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Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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"A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist. Johnwayne401, A young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law." ------------------ THE MACK aka BIG POPPA www.Geocities.com/Motorcity/Flats/1041 Mack Daddy-- You better roll with the big mack, the man with the game Mack Daddy--
[This message has been edited by The Mack (edited 06-29-99).]
Posts: 237 | From: East Texas | Registered: May 1999
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posted
COOL!!!!!!!! I love that screen!!! Its also about the same size as the 9" monitor I was thinking about using in the drive side of the dash... Keep the cool ideas coming!!!
------------------ Would you like fries with that???
Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Sounds cool, I am a design consultant for both Intel and Microsoft, get with me, I bet I can figure an interface. As for using UNIX, you would be better off with free code LINUX, we could design a module for it to do all the controls.
posted
It sounds like a cool idea. I would really pump your memory up...at least 128 megs so you don't have to worry about it crashing. I would even upgrade the processor...but...$$$
------------------ <Viper>
Posts: 84 | From: Hagerstown, IN USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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I've got quite a few comp. sci. industry friends who could probably help you out on your question to have a computer car!! Zap me an e-mail and I'll forward it onto the boys.....the one is using his 'puter to record his band via Midi and sound card from hell!! They're all good at what they do, I'd be more than happy to introduce y'all to one another
ub
------------------ "Captain Budget" Never tick off a klingon!
Posts: 7153 | From: No. VA | Registered: May 1999
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Sounds like a plan... I have secured the computer... I am actually on it right now, fortunatly I have ordered a new PIII so I have an outdated spare... Now where do I go to get a free code linux??? I also have almost completed the isolation mount for the mother board, just getting ready to test... It was so simple, 6 plastic cells filled with 80w-90 oil (for now) with 1/4" MDF on both sides... We shall see how it turns out...
------------------ Would you like fries with that???
Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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posted
linux is free of the net. i ran it for about three dayd an found it to be the most un frendly OS. as for the key board you can get an infered keyboard and just put it up somewhere when you dont need it. I saw one van at USASC Finals with a computer in it. when i talked with the owner he said that the base has not effected his computer and all he did was take his desktop system and screw it inderneath the floor of the rear seat an wire it in to the A/V.
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Posts: 7 | From: Sedalia, Mo USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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posted
Man, this is such a dope idea! I was planning on doing this pretty much same type of install on my car some day when i got the money. I was going to say you better upgrade the processor and beef the memory up and hard drive too while yer at it. If you plan on running games, get a TNT2 video card. Dont ask me why because it will take too long to explain but my bro is really into video card sh.. err stuff. If you have any questions, drop me an email and i can have my bro probably answer it. Get some good games on there like Quake 1 through Quake 3! Oh yea and get Half life on there. Maybe you can add a network connection so like other guys at competitons can play along and you can all take turns kicking eachothers ass's! Dude! thats a sweet idea! Maybe add an external PC-TV video converter and setup a TV on the outside. Man, adding a computer is like openning a door for new possibilites. Heck, you can probably even use the computer to run your tones/music or whatever you use to compeate with because it can be all digital and no signal loss!
------------------ 2 MTX Thunder 3000 12" Power Acoustik 500x2 130watts x 2 Can you say DISTORTION!?
It's _extremely_ stable (when set up properly), free, it works great on any Intel based system (X will of course work much smoother on more powerful systems), and plenty friendly if you're willing to spend some time learning how to use it (if you don't know how to use it, it's a pain in the a$$).
If you're going to use it and don't have significant previous experience with Unix systems, I'd suggest buying the book "Linux Unleashed" and reading it cover to cover. $40 instead of endless hours of frustration...
This system is going into a standard cab pickup with 2 12"s behind the seat (soon to be 4 15"s ported through the box), not a lot of room for network games... I more or less wanted to get rid of ugly 1985 vintage guages and add some stuff to get the "oooo-ahhh" factor out of the masses and impress judges... Not to mention pick up chicks, hehehe... 'Nuf said!!! If it actually controls something is a bonus... Well I think you get the general idea...
------------------ Would you like fries with that???
Posts: 186 | From: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Registered: May 1999
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