DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: DSL 4 CarPC/CarPuter



You might want to check out:  DashPC

Lots of useful Linux carputer info on there...
Following cbagger01's suggestion..

I have a EPIA-M 5000 in my jeep..
It is currently autorunning the mpg123 from /opt/bootlocal
in DSL 1.0rc1 on a pendrive..

Small, and completely 'out-of-sight' , it was a breeze to install.

For autorunning, it is a cinch.. use this..

" mpg123 -g 100 -Z /mnt/sda2/*.mp3 "

..which brings the gain up to full, and plays randomly from your pool of files.

It's a snap to pull the pendrive, and replace it with another, or update it.
I get a pool of around 100 titles at 128k on my 512MB key,
with DSL on the sda1 (60MB's) , and the mp3's on sda2 (450MB's)

I set the carputer to boot upon power-up, and use a dc/ac converter to
power-up the box using the ac adapter provided with the mini-itx case..
( it seems to hold a more stable 12V to the mobo this way ..)

I pump my audio output to a Ramsey FM25B transmitter,
and then out to a tuned 1/4 wave antenna mounted on the roof..
With a fully adjustable freq output, it 'could' make for some
real fun at red lights, traffic jams, and parking lots ..
Everyone can tune in, and listen with me :)

It works for now, and quite nicely, until I get a lcd for it..

Hoping to get one of those ma111 or dwl-122 usb wireless adapters,
then I can upload/download using scp/ssh to manage it from home or work.

It draws so little wattage..   hmm..
I wonder if I could use my keyless entry alarm button to 'turn on' the box ?
( alarm - poweron  /  repeat - powerdown )

I live in the country , and rarely need to have the vehicle
secured by means other than the dogs, or 12 gauge..  ;)

73
ke4nt
That sounds like a cool idea.

If you do the WiFi thing, why not write a script to:

1) Verify that your LAN is available and then
2) Connect to your home PC music server.
3) Extract a bunch of random music files once per day to your Carputer.

Or better yet, create a "music outbox" folder on your server and have the script check for files and then transfer them, but if the "outbox" is empty have it download random music files from the music library instead.

Just a thought.
Why not just have all of your music on your carputer?

Here's another site you guys might want to check out:
http://carputers.org

It's carputer news, etc...
Well...

1.  Again, I drive a Jeep..  It's not a nice, smooth ride..  

2.  I live in Texas, where it's really, really hot in the car, most of the time,
    unless it's around xmas, when it gets cold

3.  It would take a rather expensive, large drive to put ALL of it in the Jeep.
     I'd rather keep it indoors, and use it for long-term storage.

From what I've read on several forums about carputers, the HD's don't
take too well to the bumps, jarring, and temperature differentials in a car.
Keeping it flash/CF based keeps current draw down, and performance up.

If the networking idea is successful, loading a set of oggs onto the carputer
should be simple, and more than enough to keep me occupied thru my usual commute..  
I can always add/change/update the flash either at home or work..

73
ke4nt
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