thinking about building a computer i can mount in my trunk and installing a touchscreen monitor head unit. i can run a usb cable to the front of the car and use my phone to connect it to the internet. full netflix, youtube, and steam/emulator access in my car.
never done something like this, but i think i can install a second car battery to the alternator and use that to power the system. i'll get a big sheet of aluminum with an equal sized rubber mat and drill it into the floor of the trunk. then i can cut out mounts from a pc case, drill them into the aluminum sheet, and run an hdmi cable from the video card to the head unit and use it for all media.
i think it's my ultimate nerd project. i'd probably have to build something to put over the top of it to keep out dust and install a bunch of fans in.
I've heard of people using ITX and fitting them in the dash. Apparently they're a bit bigger with a custom case than a radio.
Another option would be to use something like an HP USDT as they have a dc input, but you'd have to up it to at least 19v, I think they're rated at 19.5, and then check the current, whether or not that's the better option than just an inverter depends on the quality and your skills. an ITX build would probably be cheaper.
i have a friend who's dad is a long time mechanic who was trained in the army to do electrical work. i'm gonna go to him with my idea to determine the feasibility of what i want to do. then, have a professional place do the audio install and run the wires through the car. planning on this taking a few months since i'll get components separately. i'll probably gonna make a thread once i actually start.
*edit* it would probably be cheaper and easier to just get a laptop and put it in the glovebox or something.
It would be rather easy to calculate the wattage needed to power a small computer and a small little screen. I'd honestly get the screen as 12v dc input as they're rather easy to find. You should be able to run the PC off a small inverter, now as far as hooking a second battery to your alternator, I'd speak to a mechanic first, as I am not one.
I do know however that you'll probably want to hook it up close to the battery, as pulling that much current through the length of the car would require rather thick cable, and make sure to put a fuse in, decently under the cable rating, just in case. You don't want a fire.
Not sure exactly how elaborate you wanted to take it, but also might want to check your state laws to see if it's legal to have a screen that can be viewed by the driver while in motion, may not be, may get a ticket.
I thought about spending $200~ On a computer, and about another $200 on getting it installed, maybe a bit more if I wanted to increase the size of the screen. Get a usb gps, and bluetooth.
Pretty much get a $1000+ system in the care for under $500. Not to mention could put a ssd and a mechanical disk in, one for OS/speed the other to store music on.
Could even get elaborate and have a flip down keyboard on the passenger side ^.^