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CarPC Amp Install

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Old 08-22-04, 04:58 PM
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gabeLex
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Default CarPC Amp Install

Hello All,

This is begginning of phase 2 of my mods. The mods include CarPC:
256 PC2100 Memory
Intel Celeron 1.5 Ghz CPU
4 2.0 USB connectors
Optical sound out(Dont know how to install that in a car, but if possible...would be HOT!)
Wireless link Internet(When I'm close to crib, i can just linkUp...suck in MP3's and Go)
Bluetoooth GPS
FM Tuner via PC
CD-RW/DVD-Rom
Windows XP
Lillput 7" TouchScreen is now my Head Unit!!!!

Now, the question is the Amp. I bought a Pyramid 300w 4channel amp. I know by far this is not the best on the market...maybe the lower end, but it sound like/better than factory. I bought a harness that connected the speakers to the amp and the sound is excellent.... Now I hear about OHMS all the time. By reading i find that my front 2 speakers are 2OHMS and the rear are 4OHMS. Let me know if the Amp needs replacing or tell me a good amp that would not impair the factory speakers....I got the levels turned all the way down and just control volume through windows. Any help will be greatly appreciated in this CarPC project and I'm sure it will help others in there endeavours to venture out in the CarPC World!

Thanks in advance!
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-carpc1.jpg  
Old 08-22-04, 05:01 PM
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gabeLex
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the Back
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-carpc2.jpg  
Old 08-22-04, 05:02 PM
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gabeLex
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Size
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-carpc3.jpg  
Old 08-22-04, 05:04 PM
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gabeLex
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The Amp
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-amppreinstall.jpg  
Old 08-22-04, 05:06 PM
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gabeLex
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Another Pic of Amp(fuzzy pic...tried to adjust)
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-amppreinstall2.jpg  
Old 08-23-04, 11:34 AM
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retrodrive
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Great project, keep us updated. You should not have any problems even if speaker resistances (ohms) are different in the front and in the back (are you sure they are different? shouldn't be). You can simply turn down the gains on the amp a little lower for 2 ohm speakers.
Old 08-31-04, 12:16 AM
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toy4life86
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hey wuts up i was doing something similar I had a gs400 with stock navagation but totaled it but now im puting a computer system into a supra with a similar headunit what i was wondering was about power from the alternator i am going to use a power inverter will it kill my alternator do i need a capactior what should i do?
I want to power 1 xbox and a computer
or just a computer 3.6A computer
please any help would be nice in the thinking process
Old 09-07-04, 03:16 PM
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CaMsGS3
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gabe,

im also adding a carPC to my GS, still have to order a couple more PC parts
what are you using to power this thing [opus,carnetx,etc]

any chance you can write a DIY on replacing the stock AMP with a aftermarket one
Old 09-08-04, 03:36 PM
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gabeLex
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Toy,

First, sorry for the delayed reply!

The inverter should take 12v and convert it into enough power for your pc....according to your power supply. You can also connect the inverter directly to your Battery....which inverters are designed to use enough powere without causing any major problems. Check your converter specs, because they vary in range for output voltage. Let me know if you've found a solution!

Gabe
Old 09-08-04, 03:43 PM
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gabeLex
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CaMsGS3,

My motherboard is a Mini F-ATX(Flex ATX) from Japan. It has an onBoard dc-dc PSU that uses 100-240v max. I simply got an inverter and designing a shutdown controller to control the shutdown of windows after ignition is turned off. I have the Lilliput 7" touchscreen that uses 12v, will be directly wired to a hotWire that's only active when the ignition is on. The trickyest part is the Power/Control of the CPU/Monitor...so far this is my biggest challenge. Let me know if you've come up with any good tricks. We can share the knowledge. I'm still in the design phase of the shutdown controller.


Gabe
Old 09-08-04, 03:47 PM
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gabeLex
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CaMsGS3,

I can work on a DIY for that. I will get my pics together and see what I can do. It's simple once you got the right parts. Will post shortly...within the next week. If you need quick assistance, just PM me and I can answer any specifics.
Old 09-08-04, 08:48 PM
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CaMsGS3
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sup gabe,
that DIY would be great, ok as for power you have a couple of options

1st i say ditch the inverter and shutdown converter[then again you are prob almost done with it]
if space is not a issue then def. get the 150w Opus PS More Info Here . Its basically plug and play - shutdown converter built in, you can setup it to alot of different ways - check the link i gave ya, only bad thing can be the price - $150

2nd is what im doing, since space is my issue[monting the PC where the stock CD changer is]
im getting the carnetix PS INFO HERE. Its new on the market, a CL member named "asci01" has it in his GS carPC already, said it works great.....
price is about $85

ALSO check HERE and the link asci01 posted on that post
read through it, alot of info there.............any other questions let me know
Old 09-09-04, 04:21 PM
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gabeLex
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Thanks! I'm having a hard time distinguishing what type of power connectors I have. It's a Wierd layout for my motherboard. Take a Look, I'm still wrestling with power connector issues. If you have any Idea of which external PSU i could use, that'll be Great.
Attached Thumbnails CarPC Amp Install-mymotherboard.jpg  
Old 09-17-04, 03:14 PM
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jeremyp111
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Have you figured this out yet? If you post a pic of what the interior of the case looks like I will be able to point you to the power connector. There isn't one labeled on the diagram you posted. I recently finished a carpc project in my SC400. Check it out.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=133459
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