Screens in an e30 anyone?!

[tn325i]

Microsoft Streets and Trips.. Works very well when on the road.

[tn325i]

And the greatest of all... Surfin the web !!

[NC325iC]

how do you plan to control your hvac

[Farbin Kaiber]

r3v in an e30 center console. I think I'd never leave the drivers seat.

[Addissimo]

I still have some switches to mount and working on an interface that will allow me to switch most anything in the car on/off from the icons on the touchscreen. Hope to have that worked out by summer..

sucks if you need hazards for an extended period!

[Van Westervelt]

I really don't get these kids. you added unnecessary functions and in the process, eliminated stock functions that are pretty important. IE, hvac, hazards, defrost, etc

[tn325i]

First off..... Who the hell are you calling a kid.. You have no idea who I am. And why would you "ASS"UME I have done away with anything. That is a rather ignorant position to take with out even asking any questions.

That said, I am still very capable of controlling all the options that were in that location. The OBC was quite dead on this car.. And if you had read my post you would see I'm running MEGASQUIRT. With out the stock ECU, little of the OBC actually has any functions.

This is not a taking from proposition.. This is ADDING TO..


So save your post for some one gives a flying fork!

edit;
To answer those smart enough to ask a question. The HVAC, flasher switches and rear def all have been relocated and function normally. I am going to add some switches for other things in the panel next to the screen for some other things I'm adding to my E30

Thank you!

[AndrewBird]

Looks great. Where did you relocate the HVAC panel to? Got a picture?

I've often thought about putting a carputer together, using it for the stereo, GPS navigation and fuel management. What are you running for a motherboard and the rest of the components?

[NC325iC]

i wonder how hard (aka how much money it would cost) to automate the hvac system, have solenoids or small actuators open the vents or something, use a smaller fan speed switch and temp switch so you could hide them away somewhere else

[atomic]

The progress so far. I have the panel finally made and the carputer was built back around xmas for another car. Decided to try and make the screen mount in the center of the car so it looks as oem as possible.

I still have some switches to mount and working on an interface that will allow me to switch most anything in the car on/off from the icons on the touchscreen. Hope to have that worked out by summer..


I have Megasquirt on my car and use my screen to monitor operations. I also am running wireless internet w/ email and gps navigation. Just for starters..

So here some pics.. And again, it's not finished but I think you can see where I'm going.

Looking good Steve, can't wait to see the finished product...

[tn325i]

Looks great. Where did you relocate the HVAC panel to? Got a picture?

I've often thought about putting a carputer together, using it for the stereo, GPS navigation and fuel management. What are you running for a motherboard and the rest of the components?

Thanks, The hvac is separated to 3 stations that are hidden. Sorry that means no pics. But I can say the temp control has been converted to a simple on/off switch (one of the things I want the computer to control, eventually) The sliders I rarely use except changing from winter to summer air direction.. Fan control is still what it was. I didn't see a need to make any changes. It will be at the pass side of the console once finished.

I'm running a micro ATX with AMD 3800 processor, 1Gb of ram all put in a custom box I built to sit in the rear under the rear shock brace. The putor part is fairly easy.. It's running all the wiring to control it and allow for the interaction of extra components.. I plan to put the stereo controls into the computer as well once I can work the bugs out of some software I want to use.

I'm looking at Road Runner but adding some things into it for the switching of external components I mentioned earlier.


Hope I answered your question.

[tn325i]

i wonder how hard (aka how much money it would cost) to automate the hvac system, have solenoids or small actuators open the vents or something, use a smaller fan speed switch and temp switch so you could hide them away somewhere else

It can certainly be done, The biggest pain for automation of that type is the requirement for sensors.. All they would have to do is control switching from one setting to another.. ie: activate the servos.

Believe me, If you work the sensor part out.. The rest would be fairly simple !!

[Addissimo]

The beauty of a servo is that "the sensor is built in." I've thought long and hard about computer hvac control, and if I were a programmer, I'd have it by now. There are a few hardware interfaces through which you can control a servo using a pc. The main problem for me was software integration. I'd have no clue where to start in making the software to interface with the servo controller. It would be a very simple screen, probably setup like the stock hvac panel.

You would need 4 servos to do it correctly, one for temp, then one for each vent set. Then just get a simple i/o board that turns switches on, or off with 4 outputs and you're finished.

No need for sensors what-so-ever, just software servo integration into the front end of your choice.

[Van Westervelt]

First off..... Who the hell are you calling a kid.. You have no idea who I am. And why would you "ASS"UME I have done away with anything. That is a rather ignorant position to take with out even asking any questions.

That said, I am still very capable of controlling all the options that were in that location. The OBC was quite dead on this car.. And if you had read my post you would see I'm running MEGASQUIRT. With out the stock ECU, little of the OBC actually has any functions.

This is not a taking from proposition.. This is ADDING TO..


So save your post for some one gives a flying fork!

edit;
To answer those smart enough to ask a question. The HVAC, flasher switches and rear def all have been relocated and function normally. I am going to add some switches for other things in the panel next to the screen for some other things I'm adding to my E30

Thank you!

Whoa settle down there overREACTION man. You didnt state anything about relocating or maintaining any of the HVAC system in you original posts. And your setup looks very similar to a few others who have all eliminated it. (see below) Am I a mind reader or your JO buddy? no. So how would I have known what you have or havent done that you didnt mention. Exactly. So but out your name calling all you want, MAN. We are all kids to someone.

It was your first post in a thread that I created without any backstory or addressing the obvious lack of controls pictured. So you try and call me out over others because I used the term "kids" as a blanket statement?! QFT

I never stated anything about your OBC did I? Nope. But thank you for addressing that, even though it was pointless as you arent running factory management, and nobody asked you about it anyway.

Its funny how your panties got so bunched up over a pretty mild blanket statement. Props! I needed the amusement tonight! :)

And furthermore, I am interested in how and where you moved these controls to. I have been trying to figure out a servo mode for a while, albeit on the backburner. I am glad you are actually using it for your megasquirt system monitor.

:D

[gjuu]

I really don't get these kids. you added unnecessary functions and in the process, eliminated stock functions that are pretty important. IE, hvac, hazards, defrost, etc

not all of us "kids" eliminated stock functions






and the controller - iDRIVE anyone? :)


I too will be using mine for megasquirt - the main reason for the installation. But having the other programs available just adds to the appeal - 120GB of mp3s and when I have used that up just add an extra hard drive :)

I am looking at servos for the controls too - as the relocation means that I get full vent movement for only half the slider travel and eventually would like to tidy this up. Was thinking a basic open/close system as I never have the vents half open - they are either fully open or fully closed. If I remove the sliders I could add an ashtray or coin holder to this area.