building a computer into a kombi - how?

baybuscamperkid · 1 Dec 2004, 7:22 pm

ok, just got given a real nice dell donor computer for free, thinking of building it into my bus and using it for TV, internat and art whilst i am away. i remember someone talking about modifying/replacing teh powerpack so that the computer will run off 12v input. can anyone help me out with how to do this?
thanks
Ryan

kombibob · 1 Dec 2004, 7:29 pm

try cruzinkombi col had a computer on his front pass floor in valla

Anthiron · 1 Dec 2004, 8:57 pm

u will need a transformer to change it current from 12 to 240 however u will drain your battery like a bitch........

ogtool · 1 Dec 2004, 9:00 pm

kombibob wrote:try cruzinkombi col had a computer on his front pass floor in valla

You'll want an ATX 12V DC -> 12V DC converter (something like http://www.idotpc.com/TheStore/Desktop/946spec.asp?Product.id=946&Cate.id=14&Product.status=green as an example, not a reccomendation but, I've never used this one or any others yet).

They are however designed for special low power consumption boards such as the VIA EPIA mini/nano-itx range. You'd want to check the spec's of your motherboard/hdd's/anything else you were plugging into the machine to make sure that you had enough power coming out of the PSU to power your computer!

sax · 1 Dec 2004, 10:12 pm

Have a good look around this site

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/index.php?

Anything is possible.

1303Steve · 1 Dec 2004, 11:08 pm

Hi

The Autospeed website is running a feature on doing this at the moment.

Steve

EgeWorks · 2 Dec 2004, 10:46 am

Putting a normal PC in your car is not very good. They chew up heaps of power and wear out battery/alternator. As mentioned before VIA EPIA boards are really good for this sort of stuff. They are about $300. I have all my stuff except a screen to go into my bug. When I get around to it there will be a nice write-up to go with it.

Just remember you gotta plug the thing into an amp if you want decent sound = even more power. Tis ok in new cars generally but a VW generator doesn't put out much juice.

11CAB · 2 Dec 2004, 8:34 pm

Yeah Kruizin Kol had his desktop hooked up in his kombi for Valla, he used it for navigation with his GPS....but had to have the kombi running when it was on as the battery went flat within a few minutes without the motor going...

sax · 2 Dec 2004, 8:51 pm

Aint you blokes heard of laptops:blush

frenzix · 2 Dec 2004, 8:53 pm

i don't think Hard disks like being bumped around too much unless you stick a laptop hdd in there too

EgeWorks · 3 Dec 2004, 8:16 am

Laptops are an option but the sound cards in them suck pretty bad.

Hard drives (laptop or desktop) can get damaged by lots of bumps, but the thing that damages them most is turning them stright off when you turn the car off. Also they can be dmaged by excessive heat.

joele · 3 Dec 2004, 8:35 am

laptop with external usb sound card

Da Wiz · 3 Dec 2004, 3:38 pm

I used a via mini-itx board, with a DC convertor, and a small LCD screen, worked very well. But that was in a new toyota camry, so the electrics were nice and reliable.... I haven't tried it in the VW and probably won't, once I got a deck that played MP3's and DVD's there is no need for it ... though if you want to play divX movies it would come in handy.

Might still use it in the kombi ... keep us posted on your progress