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Raspberry Pi Carputer

I will be building a Carputer utilizing a Raspberry Pi3

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My goal with this project is to build a fully functional Carputer/Tuner for my highly modified turbo Miata. Why did I choose a DIY Raspeberry Pi solution over a ready to drop in setup? Because I want to run TunerStudio, so I can tweak my tune and boost settings on my MegaSquirt ECU. And because it is just cooler this way.

In the end, I want it to look like it was always supposed to be there, not some hacked up solution.

Currently I have the RPi 3 setup and am working on my software needed for this project.

I will be running KODI for the Media center and TunerStudio for managing and manipulating my Tune on my Megasquirt ECU.

  • 1 × Raspberry Pi 3 Credit card sized computer
  • 1 × 2Din 7" Samsung Touchscreen and Case

  • Back up and punt

    Randy Walker09/08/2016 at 22:29 0 comments

    Ok, time to back up and punt. I did not research this enough. The housing I bought will NOT fit into the dash of my car. It is too deep for a NB Miata. So I am going to sell my current setup and go with a different bit of hardware. Stay tuned, I will have something in a few days, after I research this a bit more.

    Stupid shallow dashed Miata....

  • Disappointed with sellers description

    Randy Walker09/08/2016 at 18:36 0 comments

    My setup may change from Linux and. Raspberry Pi, to Windows and an ITX computer. Why? Because even though my screen and buttons were ADVERTISED as Pi compatible, they are not. The screen works, but the touch interface is not exactly compatible. The buttons, are not at all compatible. I would take a loss to return it, I doubt if I could sell it. So I may just order an ITX board and CPU and be done. Load Windows 7 and call it a day. But first I have to take some measurements. As with the ITX setup, all the cables have to run out of the case and plug into the back. I am not sure if I have enough room for that.

  • The screen lives!

    Randy Walker09/08/2016 at 08:55 0 comments

    I finally have the touchscreen powered up. Still have to install the driver and run the calibration routine, to get it working properly. Now that I know it's power requirements, 8-20V and a minimum of 2 amps, maximum of 6.. I will need to work on finding a power converter that can supply this and the 5V and 2.5A that the Pi needs.

    I also have a fair amount of work to do still on the software side. I have to rework a theme for KODI, to be more car friendly. I will also need to write a launcher script to launch TunerStudio from inside Kodi. I will probably also install some emulators and ROMs, so I can play some games while sitting at car meets and events.

  • The touchscreen has landed.

    Randy Walker09/07/2016 at 00:37 0 comments

    My touchscreen and Double Din ITX case came in today!! Unfortunately, it came with ZERO documentation. So I have some research to do, to find out what power requirements it has and a few other items. I hope to be testing it by this weekend though! Pictures will be coming soon.

  • Getting started

    Randy Walker09/06/2016 at 06:42 0 comments

    I have ordered this 2 Din 7" touchscreen and case, and am expecting it to be delivered today.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/2DIN-IN-DASH-7-Samsung-HDMI-Touch-Screen-Monitor-Mini-ITX-USB-SD-Raspberry-Pi-/121715033228?hash=item1c56c8048c:m:m-aaWnN8mKyRSkOCvWR3chA

    I have also ordered the optional side button kit for it, but it will not be here until the end of the month. Also, I have to come up with a workable UPS solution for my setup, so that when the car it powered off, the Pi will safely shut down.. and when the car is turned on, the Pi will boot up.

    I will be running the Raspbian OS with Kodi loaded on startup.

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vk4akp wrote 10/10/2020 at 01:31 point

Supplier for front screen section and case? 

  Are you sure? yes | no

Marty wrote 03/28/2017 at 17:16 point

Great project. Did you get it working? 
I found this as an alternative display:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SainSmart-Capacitive-7-TouchScreen-TFT-LCD-Module-HDMI-800x480-for-Raspberry-Pi-/351828023031

Do you need the casing? Or could this not fit directly?

You could even connect it to an external system like this, I think it also runs on the RPI:

https://www.autopi.io/hardware-dongle

Look forward to see what you come up with

Cheers

  Are you sure? yes | no

Randy Walker wrote 09/11/2016 at 13:33 point

I have $240 with shipping in the screen and case  I had not picked up a keyboard yet  however, I have had to take a step back  the case was grossly misadvertised. It is not Pi compatible. And like you said ITX can bust the budget. I have found some ITX boards and CPU combo a for under $75 that should work fine, but then memory, power supply and HDD add to that. Plus radio card and gps. 

And to top it off, this case will not fit in my Miata. I am currently looking into other options. I may even go with the *shudder* Android Radio. I am not a droid fan, but I could at least still run MSDroid for my turning and monitoring needs. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

RandyKC wrote 09/08/2016 at 20:31 point

What did you pay for the case and keyboard? I did a quick search and they came up pricey. The ITX motherboard,  processor, memory and storage will bust the budget. Plus the power requirements are a little more finicky and may not hold up well in a car's environment. 

  Are you sure? yes | no

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