E81 Car Computer (56k Warning)

[brukutu]

Hi Guys. Thread was recreated from 1 series forum as it was getting a little messy so I though i would clear it up and start again. Well here it is:

It would like to share with you guys my project. A full computer in my car to do various tasks.

CAR: E81 118i with M-Sports Pack.
Hardware
Intell Board with 1.6 dual core Atom processor.
1GB Ram
80GB 2.5inch drive
K8055 Input Output Board
OBDll Reader from scantool.net
PowerMate
Usb Hub for cabin use and another for pc use.
HTC Magic as a HSDPA tether phone.
Lilliput 7'' 500:1 contrast ration touch screen
Griffin RadioShark
Bluffcreek GPS receiver


Software:
Centrafuse 3.1
Garmin Mobile PC
Own Custom written for IO Board, Griffin Radio shark and (future) Laser Jammer integration.


What I want it do be able to do:
Garmin Mobile PC Navigation
Bluetooth
Music
Video
Control of Gates and garages.
Measuring voltage of main battery
Auto flip up of screen on IGN
Startup of computer on ignition and switching it off on key remove.
Tire pressure monitoring
OBDII for monitoring engine

What it can do a the moment.
Garmin Mobile PC Navigation
Bluetooth
Music
Video
Control of Gates and garages.
Measuring voltage of main battery
OBDII for monitoring engine
Startup of computer on ignition and switching it off on key remove

The main screen will be a 7'' touchscreen fitted inside a E87 CID (motorized).

I am waiting for the CID, got it shipped two months ago, when it arrives and i fit it, i will post some photos. mean while, here are some photos of the car.

Well I have now finished the base install of the system.
It can do almost everything I wanted it to do. Will get tyre pressure monitoring when I save up some cash. Still waiting on CID.
Tomorrow will post some pics of the full install.

Still to do to PC:
Write software for radio shark. (plugin for front end)
Neat up interface for IO board.


Body Mods:
Wanted:
Blackout kidney grills
Performance spoiler
Mat black rim spraying
lamin-x smoke for tail lights
lamin-x tint for front and fogs
Carbon fibre roundels all around

Done:
Blackout kidney grills (done 22/06/10) pics to follow soon


As always PLEASE post suggestions, comments, ideas, or anything. Doesnt matter if it is bad or good.
Thanks guys.

Pics of blackout grill

Update:
Sorry for taking so long with the pics, just been sooooo busy.
Well I got a working version of the software for the radio, works, not as great as it will, but its a start...no time to finish it.
Will try my best to have pics up for tomorrow.

UPDATE. Finally got some pics.

PowerMate and USB hub. For charging phone, copying flash drives, ipods...
PowerMate to control if you dont feel like using touch screen.

Gate Plugin I wrote to control my gates and garages.

Front Camera for recording breakfast runs ? lol

Main Page of front end.

2nd Page of front end

3rd Page of front end

Garmin Mobile PC for navigation.

OBDll Reader

Music Library

Music Player

Computer in the boot, still need to make it look neater.

RadioShark and GPS receiver.
Still testing RadioShark, hence why wire is not under the trim and its light is on.

Battery Wiring

Finally, got my brackt. Not the CID, gave up on waiting for that.
Brackt is quite nice, still planning on how to integrate, maybe also putting laser detector with it....here are some pics

Soooo....Just went to Durban this weekends, carpc worked like a charm. Navigation, Camera warnings, music, bluetooth, camera...everything working really well.
But well I came to eventually be true to myself and admit that because of where the screen is, user input is rather difficult.
So I have now decided to change the screen position.
The plan is to remove the GPS holder from center dash, replace with the original center dash compartment.

Now I need a place for the screen.
Look at part number 9 in the following diagram
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=UA32&mospid=50328&btnr=51_6713&hg=51&fg=30

The plan is to order a new one, then use then bottom part of it, under the AC controls to cut a place where the screen will fit (half of it).
Obviusly I will fill it up with fiberglass or putty, sand it down and spray it again....

Then it should look something like this:

This should cover the ashtray whick will stay under so that i can remove the screen and the car will be back to stock.

Also I plan to fill the sides (so i dont have holes between middle dash and ashtray) and it all looks like one solid piece. Also probably put a couple of usb port on the sides or somewhere near.

What you guys think? Need ideas.....

Started working on it.

 

[applehero]

Gotta nice 1 here. :thumbsup:

Must say I'm rather envious bout the onboard computer... Awesome idea. :clap:

 

[brukutu]

Gotta nice 1 here. :thumbsup:

Must say I'm rather envious bout the onboard computer... Awesome idea. :clap:

Cant wait for the central information display

 

[@ri]

Car looking good

Lemme know where you manage to find an i-Drive CID to fit in the current dash storage bin/compartment.

Was interested at modding it at one stage as well.

 

[brukutu]

Car looking good

Lemme know where you manage to find an i-Drive CID to fit in the current dash storage bin/compartment.

Was interested at modding it at one stage as well.

Ebay.de paid €100. Bought it on friday.
De

---

Car looking good

Lemme know where you manage to find an i-Drive CID to fit in the current dash storage bin/compartment.

Was interested at modding it at one stage as well.

If yoi in jhb we van meet for you to see when its done if u want

 

[@ri]

Ah sweet Sounds like a plan.

Busy at the moment with exams and that but after will see if we can make a plan! Otherwise the next meet!

 

[brukutu]

Ah sweet Sounds like a plan.

Busy at the moment with exams and that but after will see if we can make a plan! Otherwise the next meet!

Are you studying at UJ/RAU ?

 

[brukutu]

New updated post #1. Please comment, would love to know what you guys think.

 

[Hellas]

Very nice, would like to see it being built in and functional! :thumbsup:

(BTW, you have unused icons on your desktop )

 

[brukutu]

Very nice, would like to see it being built in and functional! :thumbsup:

(BTW, you have unused icons on your desktop )

Soon soon. Cid should arrive next friday and should get a screen within two weeks then will be all ready to roll.

 

[zaleonardz]

Watching this one..

Good luck bud

 

[brukutu]

Watching this one..

Good luck bud

thanks!

 

[clutchplate]

nice going man .. where are you going to mount the box ? ...
btw .. don you reckon you should maybe use a metal box perhaps ? .. I reckon the wood box is gonna get a little warm there hey..
otherwise just stick the psu's outside the box.

would like to see it work when its done

are you using a specific rf conroller for the remotes.. or are you using acctually remotes and just hard wiring them ?

 

[applehero]

nice going man .. where are you going to mount the box ? ...
btw .. don you reckon you should maybe use a metal box perhaps ? .. I reckon the wood box is gonna get a little warm there hey..
otherwise just stick the psu's outside the box.

would like to see it work when its done

are you using a specific rf conroller for the remotes.. or are you using acctually remotes and just hard wiring them ?

A metal box would conduct more heat away... But that assumes that there's a very good connection between the PSU's and the box (not easy to do). It should be fine if you install a fan though. (convection versus conduction).

I must say, i really love this idea. Keep us continually updated (as you are doing). Will that display fit inside the idrive housing? (hard to judge scale)

 

[@ri]

nice work! gonna be sick when it's done!

you studying egineering?

 

[msm]

Good work :clap:

BTW, what OS and software are you running?

 

[brukutu]

nice going man .. where are you going to mount the box ? ...
btw .. don you reckon you should maybe use a metal box perhaps ? .. I reckon the wood box is gonna get a little warm there hey..
otherwise just stick the psu's outside the box.

would like to see it work when its done

are you using a specific rf conroller for the remotes.. or are you using acctually remotes and just hard wiring them ?

A metal box would conduct more heat away... But that assumes that there's a very good connection between the PSU's and the box (not easy to do). It should be fine if you install a fan though. (convection versus conduction).

I must say, i really love this idea. Keep us continually updated (as you are doing). Will that display fit inside the idrive housing? (hard to judge scale)

Yes and no.
original screen is a 6.5''.
fitting a 7''.
physically it fits, but a little of screen is cut out.
2 solutions:
1 -> cutout the frame of cid a little bit.
2 -> use a custom resolution and forget abt litttle bit hidden away

---

Good work :clap:

BTW, what OS and software are you running?

stripped winxp and centrafuse as a frontend.

---

nice going man .. where are you going to mount the box ? ...
btw .. don you reckon you should maybe use a metal box perhaps ? .. I reckon the wood box is gonna get a little warm there hey..
otherwise just stick the psu's outside the box.

would like to see it work when its done

are you using a specific rf conroller for the remotes.. or are you using acctually remotes and just hard wiring them ?

Metal...conductive....big headaches custom building stuff into it...have to make sure no shorts...
Wood. easy to work with...not conductive..cheap.
using input output board, hard wiring a remote into outputs. Controlled by custom made plugin for centrafuse made by me.

---

nice work! gonna be sick when it's done!

you studying egineering?

Did 2 years of engineering and worked at electronics company for a year.
Currently studying BSCIT
Why?

---

Updated post #1

 

[andrewbuch]

Did 2 years of engineering and worked at electronics company for a year.
Currently studying BSCIT

Dude that carPC is gona be awesome

Where u studying & what year?
Im 3rd year BcomIT @UJ

 

[brukutu]

Did 2 years of engineering and worked at electronics company for a year.
Currently studying BSCIT

Dude that carPC is gona be awesome

Where u studying & what year?
Im 3rd year BcomIT @UJ

2nd year BcomIt @ UJ

Yeah, cant wait to finish it hey....still need to buy the screen.
Andrew....you wouldnt happen to be a TA hey?

 

[andrewbuch]

Did 2 years of engineering and worked at electronics company for a year.
Currently studying BSCIT

Dude that carPC is gona be awesome

Where u studying & what year?
Im 3rd year BcomIT @UJ

2nd year BcomIt @ UJ

Yeah, cant wait to finish it hey....still need to buy the screen.
Andrew....you wouldnt happen to be a TA hey?

hahahah nope not a TA