I've been working on my carputer this evening. I haven't really done anything hardware-wise to it for about two years, and it's been working fine. Over the past few months, though, I've been thinking about some improvements I'd like to make.
The recap, the computer is installed in the center console between the driver and passenger seat. The monitor is on the dash, the power supply has been under the shifter inside the console (DC-DC power, no inverter), GPS under dash, 250GB USB drive under driver seat.
Occasionally, on hot days, it gets really hot inside the center console. No problems, but I don't like the idea of it getting so hot. Also, the HD under the driver seat is a Seagate and loud like a turbine.
So... I took the back seat out, pulled the computer out, and began moving things around. I've run a VGA cable out through a hole at the bottom of the center console to the trunk under the carpet. I clipped the ends off a spare ethernet cable and ran it through the same path. I'll use it to control things like the line that goes high to tell the computer to power up, reset switch, etc. I'll keep a USB hub up front so that I only have to run a single USB cable back to the trunk where the PC will be mounted on the little hatch that opens into the cabin.
BTW, it's been 95-100F, so it's been a good weight loss opportunity.
