Thanks for the lead. I didn't mean to crap on your thread with questions but it seems that I need a relay circuit to get it working. Thanks!

 

Subscribing...Looking good!!

 

thats sik
u really know yr stff

 

When we last left this mod... I was working on a circuit to detect when it was "dark" via the auto-light feature of the car... and add a 5VDC regulator via a standard PC 4pin power connector.

I've been delaying this aspect of the mod mainly because of all the other projects I've taken on. That changed a couple of weeks ago.

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I went ahead and integrated an LED driver circuit which would autodim when the lights came on so as not to blind the driver. It uses some 2N3906 PNP BJTs in a current mirror configuration to drive the LED.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462909490/sizes/o/
Originally I was going to home brew the circuit board; but after all the Vias in the design; I took the lazy way out and ordered the PCB from SparkFun's BatchPCB.com service. Uploading the circuitboard gave me the following post worthy picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462063145/sizes/o/
Those boards came in a couple of days ago...
Even though the board would be hidden behind the dash; I went ahead and "dyed" the PCB before I began to solder components to it. Component Side:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462055937/sizes/o/
Solder Side:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462889094/sizes/o/
Here it is put together:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462056357/sizes/o/http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2462056081/sizes/o/Screw Terminal Blocks should facilitate a quick and easy integration into the car.

So far; I've tested the 5V regulator on the benchtop and it works as planned. 5V is supplied only with the ingition is on... and the CarPC's PSU has been turned on. I'm not sure of maximum current of the 5V regulator... specs say I should get ~2.5Amps; but my benchtop PSU only supplies 1A max of 12V power.

I haven't been able to test the lights circuit yet... and the LED current mirror is lacking the critical resistor components as I forgot to order them from Digikey.

 

jesus dood that was worth the read...i think

 

Glad to see other carpc enthusiasts When i figure out exactly what i want to do, i may have to hit you up for pointers.

A few questions now however...

While I give you respect for tackling SMT components, why not use film to achieve the same effect for the led color? Slip a little piece of orange tint either before or after the foam?

Any particular reason you kept the GPS power adapter body? Seems you could have made another cable or chopped off the plug to keep in line with your stealth look?

I'm assuming you ruled against the stock GPS mount location in the dash since you couldn't get a signal sitting on top of it? Hope i don't have that issue, that's where i have planned to mount mine Plus, my trunk gets steaming hot on the coupe :/

Any heat issues in the cubby?

 

That would work.
However, you need to open the mac mini anyway to put in the ACPI power switch cable... or at least I did. Since I had the LEDs and the SMT resistor; it was more logical for me to put in the LEDs.
Also; I don't have to worry about heat discoloring the film.

I had to have some body for the CarVolts -> 5V circuit in the adapter body.
Also; inside the body - I didn't have to worry about the circuits shorting to a metal panel.

I don't know where the "stock" location is.
However, at least during my test phase - I couldn't get reliable sat lock via the front windsheild. After moving to rear window; I have no GPS lock issues.

None that I've seen. It gets hot during the summer here in Austin, TX... and the MacMini was merrily doing its job last year. My only real concern would be the HD in the mini; but it appears to work fine for the last two years.

I intend to resolve the mac mini look issues with the main cubby in the future; I just haven't had the time with all of my other Modding projects.

 

Are u doing any more modifications to this project? I am going to start working on something similar, and boy your work so far is great. I studied electronics and control systems in college and i am familiar with this stuff but man you took that to the next level.

 

here's my carputer but it always gets my name wrong. my name is not michael, damn it!

 

Thanks for the kind words.
Yes - the project is still in the works ; however, admitedly I'm still working on other projects. I'm really bad about not completeing projects and then moving on. Too many interests - damn that day job.

The only thing I've really done on the project right now is I went ahead and had the following waterjetted for a little over $100.
Granted I didn't need both types - nor did I need 5 sets; but I figured since it was $81 for 1 set... and $102 for 5 sets; it kinda didn't make sense to order just one... Spares are always a good thing:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2756052562/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/2755220075/sizes/o/
Kudos to anyone who can figure out what the center cutout will become.

The top clear plexi was a mockup out of 1/16" clear that I laser cut before I committed to order to Blue Saw.
The peices are waterjetted out of 0.063" 6061 Aluminum.

The plan is to Powder coat them - likely with the same wrinkle grey I have used on the rest of the G35 MacMini mod.