Raspberry Pi powered Carputer

Hi there I'm currently in the process of building a Raspberry Pi 3 powered carputer. I'm thinking it will be on an 18" monitor with GPS and I will be putting a 3G/4G dongle on to create a WiFi Hotspot as well as supply Internet access to the computer. Mostly I want the internet on the computer so i can stream movies. I already have an unlimited data plan so im not worried about data usage. The audio will run to the existing single din radio via an AUX out cord and the radio will be hidden away down behind the dash. Ill have to include a DC to AC power converter to power the screen and a 12v to 5v adaptor for the Pi itself. Im also going to add a giant heatsink as well as large fan pointed at it to keep it cool. Im just starting to write an interface for the home screen in Python that will hopefully display a small gps map, the current music playing, live weather forecast and a few other things. Just wondering if anyone out there has tried anything similar. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

 

i was wondering if someone would find a way to get these into our vehicles

great devices

not sure if it needs an additional fan but i could be wrong

 

Probably doesn't absolutely need it but I live in so cal in the desert and it was 124 on Monday so I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure it stays cool lol

 

Something to look into for ideas or what not:

http://e3io.com/mini-itx-double-din-carputer-a4

 

I have seen things like that but I think this will be better for far cheaper. I'm trying to keep the entire thing under 200 which should be fairly easy to do. I will be able to set the home screen however I want, choose my operating system, and have a much larger monitor. I considered doing a touch screen but I get pissed off at the one I had in my old truck so I'm going to do a mini wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. I will make some sort of mount for them when not is use and integrate a mouse pad into my sent console.

 

I posted the link because the videos of some of the builds shows how they handled the cooling issues. Being a double din using an actual pc board cooling is tough to accomplish in that type of space. By all means stick to your pi plan, just thought you might like to see other ideas that you might be able to incorporate into your project.

 

Ok yeah I'll check it out. Thanks for the thought

 

Hey OP, how are you coming along with this?

I literally just started to read up on these little computers and I'm fascinated with them.

I'm about to buy a RetroPie for classic games myself.

 

Sub'd,,want

 

Hope you're not on Verizon...

http://gizmodo.com/5818954/verizon-just-cut-off-the-unlimited-data-tap

And have you checked out MP3Car.com?

 

^ That gizmodo article is from 2011, when verizon stopped offering the unlimited data plan. They are still trying to push people off of it by raising prices and throttling heavy users, but people that are grandfathered in still have the unlimited data (for now).

 

Well shit, how the hell did that happen?? It was on the Gizmodo front page the day I posted it

 

Hahaha gizmodo must be recycling articles to grab some page views. I don't see Verizon unlimited data staying a thing for much longer anyway, it seems some that still have it like to make a point by using it as their primary ISP which im sure pisses of VZW.

I also recommend mp3car.com, even if you don't go that route they have some good accessories for powering the pi.

 

www.mp3car.com