I was curious what people thought about my Carputer in my 99 E350 Super Duty 7.3 Turbo. do note I am a computer geek that have built a lot computers in the past, but never a carputer. I been making the switch to apple products lately too. but I thinking of installing a touch screen where double din radio. then id install a small form factor computer like a apple mac mini, or an Intel nuc, or an gigabyte brix computer under the seat with a basic car stereo out to 4 speakers. and via hdmi/usb the in dash touch screen would control the system.


I just cant decide if I want to get a Apple Mac mini or build up a Intel NUC or Gigabyte Brix. the advantage of windows is there is a lot more support like Centrafuse Auto 4.0 Front End Software for example. but mac would be more the type computer I would like. so I was curious what everyone thought of this idea for my van.


oh if I go windows I will make a 1080p computer monitor in the back for a second view screen in clone mode with wireless keyboard and trackpad for rear seat riders.


Thanks in Advance, Alice

 

I'm a big 'fan' of 'fanless' computers...and many of them can run on a simple 12 volt input with a standard coaxial plug. Fanless means never having it overheat due to a clogged or failed $3 fan. (winter means the bearing or bushing lube in the fan is more like tar below 10 degrees or so)

I would use an isolated battery so that voltage fluctuations from starting the engine will not cause problems.

I like Apple Macs, and own a couple, but for a vehicle I'd be more inclined to use one of the linux distros. Many advantages there.

Dont forget about the little rasberry pi....carputer on the cheap!

 

nice thing is my 99 e350 7.3 turbo hase oem doal batterys. been debating droping in 2 optma batteries as well

 

You will STILL have voltage drops when starting the engine. Home computers aren't very tolerant of that...some more than others.

 

This is over the top but somehow I don't think you know the meaning of the term

Engine Instrumentation Project - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Sixto
93 E150 Chateau 5.8 191K miles

 

well id be setting mine up on a power invertor and id start the truck then boot up. right now using a boom box connected to a SiriusXM dock and play radio. I was leaning towards a windows pc running the Centrafuse Auto Front End, but its been long time since it was updated. that makes a mac mini more appealing.


this is a rough parts list so far:
Double DIN High Bright Lilliput 669Gl-NP/C/T 7" Touch Screen Monitor with HDMI, DVI, VGA, and Composite Inputs Plus Auto Switching for Rear View Cameras
Andrea 2S Superbeam Array Microphone
ScanTool OBDLink MX Wi-Fi: OBD Adapter/Diagno​stic Scanner for iOS, Android & Wind​ows
SoundStorm ML41B Bluetooth Enabled, Single Din, MP3 Compatible, Digital Media, FM Receiver
SSL EX357 EX 200-watt 3 way auto 5" x 7" Coaxial Speaker
Ford Double Din Dash Kit
Metra 99-9000 Dash Kit For Uni Under Dash Full Shroud

 

I'd definitely use an SSD and by the way, there are devices on the market to delay applying power to an accessory until a preset number of seconds after the vehicle voltage has stabilized after starting.

If your carputer was configured to self-boot when power is applied, this might be an option for you.

There are also other devices called start-guards and mobile UPS's that address more or less the same problems.

 

If you go with apple there are tuners you can plug in and run diagnostics, show engine and trans temps and horse power tunes on the fly right on your monitor. That might be something to consider.