Project eT/A testing is now under way....

[Cargasm]

OK, pholks.... here goes. I've finally gotten everything I need to get the system going. The computer is built (AMD Duron 700 MhZ, 64MB RAM, 4MB AGP video with TV-out, onboard sound, FM tuner card, 10G HDD), I've finally taken delivery of my 6.4" LCD and my 12V input ATX power supply, and I will be doing my software installation today! If everything checks out ok on the bench, the installation in the ragtop starts tomorrow! This thing is supposed to totally replace my car stereo and cd collection, making everything accessible thru WinAmp (the 'puter will boot directly to WinAmp for the time being, totally bypassing the traditional Windows explorer GUI). My cheif concerns at this point are:

1) Excess heat ('puter is going in the trunk, it's usually markedly cooler in there than inside the car)- hopefully I've added adequate ventilation to keep the 'puter within operating temps..

2)Vibration/shock- the hard drive will be formatted and mounted on its side to minimize the chance of the platter contacting the head, and will be padded on both contact surfaces with 1.5" foam pads. All pci cards will be secured in their slots with good ol' RTV to prevent any chance of them working free thru vibration.

I suppose the real testing will be the 'road test'.... I'll keep everyone updated as to the progress. I'll try to at least come up with some finished pics so's y'all can see how it looks. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!!

Dave

[ June 04, 2002, 13:36: Message edited by: Cargasm ]

[LL6]

Good luck, you will need it. :D

[ragtop88]

Hey good luck dave....you going to be taking that eBeast down to Beaufort for the cruise-in this saturday? I'm thinking of going...haven't been in a month or so....sounds like it might be a good turnout and a few new thridgens as well. Let me know if you want to caravan down. If not maybe I'll see you at the Charleston cruisein in on the 15th.

[james85z28]

good luck. I hope it works great. FWIW, AMD processors while inexpensive and better than intel in performance, are not known for running cooler than their intel counterparts.

[Pantera61]

Someone posted something about a fluid that would keep the system cool and would not mess any electronics up. I think it keep it at like 20 something degrees. Who started that?

[Cargasm]

Tom-

I don't really think I'll be making it down this weekend. Got some family coming into town. I will, however, be shooting for the cruise in on the 15th... hope to see you there, if'n I don't blow up my 'vert!

:D

[Cargasm]

Update:

eT/A passed the preliminary tests with flying colors!! Got the computer set up in the cabin of the car, strictly temporary, the LCD is mounted where the radio was. Wired the system audio out to my amp, and viola! Took the car for a test ride on the roughest roads in Chas, short of offroading.... downtown!! Even handled the cobblestone roads without a glitch... system ran like a charm. Temperature-wise, it stayed at around 88 degrees F, I have yet to see how it handles sitting all day in the sun. It will be trunk- mounted by then, tho, so it should be a bit cooler than if it was in the cabin all day. Guess the only real test left will be the long-haul.... we'll see how the hard drives handle shock and vibration over time. I may end up using laptop hard drives, as they are built to withstand such things. Time to start the finish work!

:D

[92Camaro305TBI]

Just a question. Are you going to be using a mouse and keyboard or some other device to control the computer. I was just thinking how weird it would be to be driving and have to change music with a Mouse! :eek:

[Cargasm]

Well, I had this bright dea that I was going to use a touchpad, but after last night's test, I discovered that anything like that is a quick way to get in a wreck. So I hopped on eBay last night and bought an IR remote control for $6.50... I think I can velcro it somewhere, and using the volume/next track buttons and such shouldn't take any more attention that a reg'lar radio. I suppose I should also check on the legalities of having and LCD in the driver's view.... whether it's strictly used for music or if the driver's watching The Matrix while hotdogging down I-26 would be immaterial in the eyes of the law. I'm also experimenting with a Winamp plugin called VoodooVoice that allows Winamp to be run via voice control. That may work out good as well...

If the phone doesn't ring, I'm having a one sided conversation with my automobile~~~