Hello and welcome to post number 21 on my blog on building, testing and refining my car PC. This post is long overdue but I think its important to keep working on the project, so here goes.
**2018/11 UPDATE**
After resetting the bios and doing a clean install of windows 10 about a year ago, the computer has been running trouble free. I have also installed an Android emulator on the computer, which the GPS unit works with. This allows me to have full touchscreen support, google maps works, and I have my Google Play music library downloaded onto the computer for offline use while 4wding.
The latest modification I have made to the system is one that frankly should have been added long ago, to give the system more connectivity. I am referring to the Auxiliary input jack, or 3.5mm jack. This allows audio from an external source to be played through the car computer, similar to how an ordinary head unit works.
To add this to my vehicle, I used a dual USB 2.0 & 3.5mm socket similar to this one. I chose this for convenience, as it has the same diameter as a 12 volt cigarette lighter/power socket. My vehicle has two of these in the front, neither of which gets used regularly, so it worked out perfectly for me.
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| Placement of the dual sockets in the vehicle |
Installation was relatively simple; Remove the old 12v socket, isolate the wiring for it, run the USB cable to the usb hub above the glovebox, then feed a 3 meter 3.5mm extension up the passenger side A-pillar and up to the computer. Note there is noticeable signal loss due to the long length of the wires and the dubious quality of the plug itself. This is not a major issue as it is intended to serve as a backup for when Bluetooth is not working (more on that below).
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| Dual plug with the dust cover lifted. A very neat installation. |
After running the computer in my Patrol for almost a year, a few reliability issues have surfaced. The system will occasionally refuse to boot, instead hanging on the windows booting screen. This seems to be an issue with power supply to the CPU. On the next service I will access the BIOS and disable turboboost to see if that helps. the problem can be rectified by opening the main breaker, waiting for a minute or two then closing it again to reset the system.
Other small bugs in windows that I believe are caused by this happen once in a while too, for example ECUTalk (the program used to monitor engine data) will loose all of its settings every so often..
I have also had to replace the bluetooth 4.0 USB module twice. I believe this is a thermal issue as during the day the computer is located in the hottest part of the car (unfortunately air heated by the sun shining on the roof vents out past the computer). I have moved the module to the USB hub above the glove box, and I haven't had any more issues with it.
I have replaced the FM tuner/ TV module three times now, and they keep on breaking. I believe the demodulator chip keeps burning out due to overheating as the computer still registers it as being connected, indicating that the other USB chip is still functioning.
Fortunately I planned on such failures, which is why I chose inexpensive modules. A better solution for listening to FM radio is needed however.
In addition, the navigation capabilities of the computer are still lacking. The hardware is in place but I have not found navigation software better than Google Maps built into my phone. Android Auto seems to be a promising platform for integrating android features. I may look into that later, but as mentioned before using maps on my phone is more convenient, so there is no real need for me to upgrade it.
As for plans for the future, Once I have worked out the last couple of bugs phase one will be complete. For phase two I have the following ideas for functionality to integrate into the system:
- Real time addressable LED strip control for music synchronization. This is just a fun project to make the car a bit more custom and impressive
- Built in dashcam - Ideally 3 or 4 high resolution, waterproof cameras would be attached to the car to film my offroad adventures and also provide evidence in an collision
- Satellite or data upling for internet on-the-go. This is not a priority as the hotspot on my phone works well enough.
- Additional 8 key macro buttons to be installed under the screen from quick jumping between functions
- Better music player - again not a priority as my phone streams music via bluetooth and stores music on the device's SD card.
- Voice control - activate functions of the computer via voice. I am trying to find a good noise cancelling microphone for vehicle use to suit my needs
- Windscreen HUD - Vital stats or navigation data can be projected onto the windscreen to form a semi-transparent HUD that can be safely used while driving
I also plan on doing a service on the computer. This consists of pulling the console off of the car, removing the computer from the console and opening the computer to inspect for and clean out dust build-up. To do this takes two people and about an hour. I believe I did a pretty good job at making it easy to remove but I believe there is still room for improvement. A system to remove the computer from the console without having to remove the console would be ideal.
I also have some upgraded memory to install on it. The CMOS battery also needs to be tested and removed as I accidentally locked myself out of the bios with a password :(.
So that's all for this post, as always thanks for reading.
