car computer

[blueback]

I attended a robotics convention a while back and they were handing out free ITX boards (yay). So I figured I could use it to fulfill a new dream and put a computer in my car. I'd like to be able to test it on my desk before figuring out how to fit it into my car.

Does anyone know if I can get a car power supply for the board and just hook it up to a 12v battery? Also, has anyone used linux to run a car computer GUI?

On a related note, does anyone know if there are any programs that will integrate GPS navigation, weather information, and possibly traffic information into one system/screen?

[sombragris]

Some years ago I read a Slashdot story about putting a Mac as a car computer. If that guy could do that to a Mac, I'm certain it's possible in Linux.

[Ytterbium]

Check Minibox (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) for power supplies.

I thought to build one before aswell. But then I got a little bit sceptic due to the fact that electronics don't like when it gets very cold.

[HackerX]

Hopefully it has a standard 12v plug (most are). In which case you can just by a 12volt cigarette lighter plug and use that. Or hook it up to the main accessory wire.

[Shifter]

mp3car.com is a really good place to start for this kind of thing.

A car-puter has been long time pipe dream of mine too.

[Synapse]

You could use the cigarette lighter, but I would not know if that's enough power. I believe it is 12V, however.





Darkness added to this post, 1 minutes and 11 seconds later...

Or, (this sounds incredibly stupid, be warned) you could find some way to hotwire it to your car's battery. That would give lots of power, but is incredibly dangerous sounding.

[Ytterbium]

You could use the cigarette lighter, but I would not know if that's enough power. I believe it is 12V, however.Yep it's 12v unless if it's an old car with 6 volt system or a truck with 24v.

However I would use the ISO standard connector otherwise used for radios with a fuse between. Thus make it a invisible installation avoiding unessary cables lying around in the passenger compartment.

[ClydeB]

Go to a store and get you a 100 watt power converter. They retail between 20 and 40 dollars. I have one that powers my laptop off my car battery and it works like a champ.