Switt23

iTrader: (7)

This is probably a long shot on this forum, but i will give it a go .

I made a car computer with a touchscreen monitor. I am pretty skilled with electronics, but want others opinions.


My idea is to completely remove the window/ power locks/ and the moonroof switch. all of these will be wired to a circuit system that is linked to the touchscreen and the switches will be smoothed over and removed.


Good idea or bad?

Touchscreen will have several buttons

Window Manual up
Window Manual down
Window Auto Up
Window Auto Down

Driver Lock
Driver Unlock
Passenger Lock
Passenger Unlock

Lock All
Unlock All

Moonroof up
Moonroof close
moonroof manual up
moonroof manual close



It's just an idea. I can program a new skin or Graphics Interface for RoadRunner so that all these controls are laid on neatly on a new screen.

let me know if you like or waste of time.....

Cefaln452

iTrader: (5)

not a bad idea.... id do it on a different car but our shop has done those before

cmatthewb101

iTrader: (4)

That would actually be really cool. I'd do it if I knew how.

EcoTecDriver

I would like to see this done.

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

I just hate our cheaply made window switches. I've replaced 2 passenger side switches and am tired of the paint flaking off. So if i can just rewrap them in leather and move all the switches to the touch screen... i'm going to.

cmatthewb101

iTrader: (4)

In for finished product

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

Might be about a week before i get the materials.

I ordered 4 of the 556 chip 2 timer circuts. Need to measure the resistance to know who much time and power is needed for both directions.

Grr... fun stuff.

If the relays won't work (Could over run the time it takes to get the windows open/close and cause a power spike) I will just buy a microprogrammer that has a 5v to a 12vDC output and dummy them down.

DeathReaper

Very cool Idea. I just bought my monitor for my set up. Would be very interested to see this done.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

should i make ur life harder or no?

i think its a decent idea (i dont mind the switches myself) but if your using the carputer for both music and switches it might get hectic. I know personally my screen seems to not have as many buttons as id like and i think kenwood did a good gob on the gui for it (buttons arent too big to waste space or too small to be unusable)

i know this is possible but definatly a pain in the ass... make the carputer dual monitor. Configure the gui so the top screen (like all us with double dins) is for the radio and put a second screen just below for the switches and AC control. All touch screen all digital

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

I like the idea emp....

The only difference between what i am doing and what the kenwood has done is that I can make my own GUI.

CarPCs are amazing and have tools that you can change the GUI any time you want or even create your own...






You can make them look like whatever...
My idea was just make another slide or tab for onboard controls, but i like the 2nd monitor idea.

constantproject

in for final product

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

So did some more research, canceled the timer relays

Going to use a Fusion Brain as it's got everything needed on an I/O board that plugs into the PCI slot. For those computer geeks like me, check this out!



Voltage control
PWM Mangement

Will be a cake walk!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay just another fun update while researching here at work while bored....

So i'm buying another monitor like emp suggested, but it's not for the window switches.....

Here is a hint what's coming out now and what's going in... it will look much "prettier" when i'm done with it, i have friends that are amazing at graphic arts.




Can anybody guess?

EcoTecDriver

Im getting more excited here lol....keep us updated with lots of details!

ChevyRockstar

iTrader: (4)

good luck, would like to see this just can't give any useful input

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

I should change my username to Switchless_Cobalt!

HVACs are gone. Fusion Brain will mimmick any type of electrical outlet on a .5-12v scale possible.

When I'm done (should be about 2 weeks) my car will have:
Parking Sensors as well as a rear View camera
Automated HVAC System
Complete Touchscreen switch panel

I should go all out and remove the key style ignition and setup a blue tooth key fob like the mercedes have. Push start setup haha.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

lol now thats one step to far... idk man i hate those ******* button starts but thats just me

glad you were able to get my idea and tweek it to work for ya. let me know if you need any more ideas. im good at thinking of crazy bullshit as you can tell from my car

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

Yeah I was kidding about the push start. I get a high off turning the key anyway lol.

My dad's boss let him drive his new mercedes (My dad is General Manager of a custom steel company) and my dad asked him for the keys. His boss laughed and said it's a push start. The guy leaves the fob on the top of the dash near the a-pillar. My dad was like Wow... that means anyone can unlock the door and anyone can push the start button and drive off.

2nd Monitor and GPS antenna should be here Friday the 16th.

I may end up fiberglassing the dash a little while I am at it. I don't want to keep rolling this project into something it's not, but i get an idea off my idea and so on .

I wll remove the cup holders and smooth the dash into the center console at an nice curve. Then the 2nd monitor can be another 7" monitor that I can split into 2 different "screens". The top being the controls for the HVAC and the bottom being a Boost Controller for the next project i'm starting once this is done, haha.

rallyracer

Interesting...Keep us updated!

1LowLS

in for results,awesome idea!

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

So here is the radio monitor layout I chose to go with....

Main Menu:


Menu 2:


Menu 3 (Notice the 2 empty slots, This was my original location plan for the "onboard controls")


Radio Layout:


Volume Control:


Equalizer:


DVD (Once movie loads it goes full screen):


Weather (Yeah, Weather Forecasting from the car):


Games (For boring Lunch Breaks):


It's a nice layout and gives me room to play with commands. The Windows Shutdown button on the right actually puts the computer in hibernate. So when I start the car back up again it will be 3 seconds and the radio is back on.



To Show How Easy This will Catch On.........



That is Not my Car, it's actually a moderators car. Mine wasn't worth putting on the background at the moment as I hit a deer and have parts in the mail to fix the headlights.

Thank you Black SS/SC 06 for the Very Nice Picture. You Have a Beautiful Car!

EXsoccer1921

iTrader: (14)

if you can get this to work...i want one

Switt23

iTrader: (7)

This is kind of like the Retro Headlights I made... Not really a needed upgrade and expensive to do .

That and the wiring i'm going to have to do isn't going to be the easiest thing in the world so I don't think this system will be mass produced.

The front leather seats come out tomorrow and the floor is getting sound deadener. After that is laid down the wiring for the car computer will be done first. Once the car computer is up and running I will begin on the Fusion Brain (Not suppose to arrive until Tuesday).

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

as long as you remove the middle partition then you should be able to fit 2 7" screens

SS33

in for results, this sounds awesome

warrenb213

welcome to the cobalt pc club.

your definitely on the right track using the Fusion Brain, i'll be taking the same route this summer. cool u beat me to it, won't have to be the guinea pig haha