vanputer / carputer build thread (in progress)

[lard]

The bluetooth USB dongle arrived (it's tiny! no about 4mm bigger than a USB connector!) so put that in, ran the mic out to just behind the drivers seat - want to move it infront of me but need to get a 3.5mm jack extension cable,

Setup bluetooth and the PC now connects to my iphone when I walk near it 8)

That was speech sorted so next on the list was audio - went to maplins (I'm not an audiophile, sound is sound to me! :mrgreen: ) and picked up a 200W 2 channel amp for £40 and a couple of 4 inch speakers 80W speakers for £10 - bargain

My next door neighbour is a bit of a hoarder so gave him a call and got hold of some thin ply and removed the door for the cupboard under the bench seat - cut the board to size (was two bits so had to join in the middle):

Marked up and cut out speaker holes and measured out the vinyl I've been using to recover the westy stool and panels:

Then used the nasty spray glue that always goes everywhere - on the board and some vinyl:

Stuck them together and cut out the speaker holes through the vinyl:

Then mounted the speakers through the board using some bolts and washers:

Using the staple gun switched from 8mm staples to 10mm nails and nailed it from behind into the board:

Next up was installing this puppy - just 3 connections and the speakers to connect:

All cabled up - the voompc case has a connector to the PSU for a remote amp on which is handy - then used a 3.5mm jack to phono cable and put this to the PC - only just long enough but all fitted together, and worked as soon as I powered it all up which is cool:

All installed and powered up - flick the switch and it boots up, fires on the amp and resumes from the last song 8)

Next on the list is USB radio - then onto the phidgets board to start plumbing in revs & temp sensors! - though that will probably have to wait until I build up some funds!

 

[gninnam]

Respect dude - you making it sound easy (which it probably isn't) 8)

What's the sound like from the amp and speakers then :?:

 

[lard]

Respect dude - you making it sound easy (which it probably isn't) 8)

What's the sound like from the amp and speakers then :?:

Anything's easy with some spray glue and a staple gun :mrgreen: - but seriously, am pleased with progress, managed to whack a lot of it out without too many issues,

Sound is good - obviously only comes from the rear but is clear and crisp, it's good quality and think that the amp makes a big difference as the speakers are cheap but sound great - could really do with a 4 channel and a sub and some more speakers up from but it really does for my needs at the moment

 

[lard]

Not much of an update on this as I've since ripped my interior out and started again, at last I'm at a stage when I can put the kit back in!

I've changed the way the 240 gets in the van - by cutting back the westy US hookup unit and using this, then wiring from the hookup assembly into a consumer unit within the buddy seat, the plan is to have the charger along with the PC under the buddy (boxed in so still have enough room for my toolkit!)

Then move the amp under the bed - the theory is that by using half the buddy seat area and only a small part of under the seat I'll get much more storage than before where the hole under seat was taken up - I'm also ditching the inverter as never used it!

So pics below of a painted buddy seat (need to get the foam recovered) with the PC underneath - also feeding back some LED ambient lights into the same area with a strip under the dash and one ready to go on the RnR bed kickboard

Also upgraded the bus to windows 7 8) - much quicker boot and standby mode is very quick with about 10 seconds to go into Centrafuse, much more of an OEM feel

Left to do:

Fit second fusebox under bed and link into buddy 12v system/charger
Fit amp/speakers
Fit LED strip lights

 

[gninnam]

Pictures are a bit poor but can see what you have done and looking good 8)

 

[Cod_Almighty]

I would love something like this, but I struggle to change a light bulb without getting electrocuted, no seriously!

Where would you recommend, if I wanted to someone else to fit a similar set up in my camper.

I'm in the Cambridge area in the New Year, if I could pop down and have a look?

 

[lard]

I would love something like this, but I struggle to change a light bulb without getting electrocuted, no seriously!

Where would you recommend, if I wanted to someone else to fit a similar set up in my camper.

I'm in the Cambridge area in the New Year, if I could pop down and have a look?

Hi

No problem - more than welcome to pop over and have a look

As for someone putting it in - if you have a leisure system installed its quite easy, you can buy ready built car pcs and also screens that fit in the radio slot so just a case of plugging it together - but a complex system will be worth researching or finding a carpc & audio specialist - I'll have a dig about but you should be able to get some recommendations from http://www.mp3car.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;