Onboard Computer Installation

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vela42	Onboard Computer Installation		Lead	[-]
Posts: 89 10/21/09 17:43:17	Tags : computer, navigation Hello Everyone, I am embarking on a possible disaster. I am installing a custom Computer behind the nav table cabinet. Finally no more wires. I run a mess of things through the laptop and this has been one of my headaches i always wanted to fix. The new unit is a intel duo core processor, 4 gig of ram, and on tera bit hard drive. The only componants that will show are a flush mounted DVD/CD writer and Multi Card reader. The monitor is a 20 inch LCD. All items run straight from 12vdc so there is no inverting and wasting power. If anyone has an interest in this project i will keep better records of it for so to help anyone who is thinking of such a modification. Cheers, Chris Last Edited By: vela42 10/21/09 17:46:02. Edited 1 time.
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ajchan		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 255 10/21/09 20:02:54	Hi Chris Interesting project. I have a few questions/observations. 1. How are you intending to mount the power supply and motherboard? Will it be in a custom chassis? 2. What about connections? Presumably you will have front panel access to USB, Serial, network etc? How will you manage the cables from the peripherals? 3. Do you have an estimate of power consumption when everything is running? I'm guessing somewhere in the 10 Ah range? 4. How about cooling? A duo core with 4 gb RAM and a 1Tb drive will generate a decent amount of heat. How are you going to keep it all cool in a closed space. Let us know how it works, I've been struggling with the cable mess for years, and for the moment I've settled on a docking station for my IBM X61 and outboard USB drives for mobility and redundancy. If you project goes well, I might take a crack at it myself. Thanks Addison Threepenny Opera 1999 C-42 MK II, 2CP Wing #640 http://the-voyages-of-threepenny-opera.blogspot.com/
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vela42		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 89 10/26/09 08:43:12	Hello Addison, I chose a small power supply 125 watts (M3-ATX). It is DC to DC The hard drive and mother board are mounted on the outside hull. I made a small piece of wood and fastened it to the hard drive which allowed me to fasten it to the wall. The mother board it held off of the wall by 3/8 inch by small plastic spacers to help keep it cool. I installed a 3 speed 90 MM fan to push air into the box. it is mounted on the top behind my SSB. I pulled the entire cabinet away from the exterior wall a little to allow for the installation and for the air to exit. . I have the front cover made which will hold an optical drive and a multi card reader including USB. I will post a few more picks when i get that installed. I am still waiting for my monitor to arrive. Chris Last Edited By: vela42 10/26/09 15:25:25. Edited 1 time.
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vela42		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 89 11/01/09 18:40:47	project 95 % complete. All told i spent 600 not including the monitor. I feel a 20 would be more than enough now that i bought the 23. That is web cam, wifi, 4 gig ram, board , 1TB hard drive, dvd light scribe writer, and card reader. The two holes on the left are for the VHF and a 7 inch monitor. At night i feel the 23 would be to bright. The total amp draw is 4.6 includung the stero and monitor. I sometimes think i would rather have used a different board for a quad core and better video card but the both eat a lot of watts. In the end i am very pleased. having the dest top space back is great.
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ajchan		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 255 11/01/09 19:06:49	Hi Chris It looks good. How did you mount the CD/DVD and multi-ports? Is there an aluminum cage behind? Addison Threepenny Opera 1999 C-42 MK II, 2CP Wing #640 http://the-voyages-of-threepenny-opera.blogspot.com/
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CaptNorm42		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 680 11/02/09 20:41:44 Moderator	Chris, Interesting thought! I've heard of others putting a MacMini (runs Windows just fine) in a hidden spot. Since I'm involved in PC's myself, a few comments/questions: I personally would have gone with a 2.5" notebook hard drive--MUCH-MUCH more rugged (looks like you used a 3.5", but I'm not positive). Hopefully you have some rubbery feet to absorb much of the diesel vibration. Did you mount the motherboard on a pretty heavy plywood to minimize the chance of a hairline crack on the MB? Are you installing wi-fi? I recently came across a device that could be my next client, http//www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/Alfa-500mW-AWUS036H-USB/Detail.bok?gclid=CJilqpCn1p0CFR4HagodMSHUsA ~~~~_/)~~~~ Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA
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ajchan		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 255 11/04/09 04:42:42	CaptNorm42 wrote: Chris, Are you installing wi-fi? I recently came across a device that could be my next client, http//www.data-alliance.net/-strse-73/Alfa-500mW-AWUS036H-USB/Detail.bok?gclid=CJilqpCn1p0CFR4HagodMSHUsA Hi Norm Look at this one as well http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NG9FOW. I bought a bunch of these at one of the Shanghai computer malls last summer and they work great! Physically they look the same as the Alpha, but more importantly they use the same Realtek 8187L Chipset. For ~$20 each they out perform my Engenius EXT 3220. Addison Threepenny Opera 1999 C-42 MK II, 2CP Wing #640 http://the-voyages-of-threepenny-opera.blogspot.com/
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kenfischer	Mac Update	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 225 11/05/09 14:39:42 Moderator	Adding a side note to the conversation, for those in the early stages of adding a computer. I've received a lot of positive comments from charterers on my iMac installation. The particular model is getting dated, but the form factor is still current. But there are some peculiarities for the uninitiated. Documenting some of these is the reason for the post. The model I have installed is a 20". See the image here: iMac The iMac is mounted on a swing-arm with a standard VESA mount. There are a number of arms available. This is the one I have: Chief KWG110 Swing Arm This is a height adjustable double arm. It allows me to pull the screen down to eye level at the nav station, or swing it out into the doorway for group viewing. This model lists the maximum weight at 25 pounds. My early iMac is all of that and the arm works fine, but at the limit. It IS, however, imperative that the computer be secured to the wall while underway. If anyone has recommendations on beefier articulating, height adjustable mounts, I'd like to hear them. Our mount is thru bolted with an aluminum plate on the other side of the wall. It doesn't seem like much, given the loads, but there have been no adverse effects in five years. So, the iMac is a great tool onboard, but it appears that Apple has been limiting the VESA mount to the larger screen models. With recent introductions, the new model only has VESA compatibility in the 27" model (and not the 21.5"). That may be too big for the location. Also, weight is becoming an issue. The 27" weighs 30.5 lbs and is likely too much for the arm I'm using. The previous generation 24" only weighs 25.4 lbs and would be just fine (it's 2" taller and 3" wider than the model on my boat). The 24" iMacs are still available from the Apple refurbished store and would be my pick (at $1100, if you are interested). Check the tech specs at the Apple web site to make sure a version you are considering is VESA compatible. The recent 20" models are NOT compatible. In our installation, we have a 12v onboard wireless network. The keyboard and mouse are also wireless. That means that the only cord on the computer is for power. Power runs about 350 watts and modified square wave inverters work fine. And, as Norm noted, modern Macs run Windows as well. Ken Fischer 2005 C42 #906 "Solaria" 3 Cabin Pullman, Fin Keel, Mast Furling Main, 155% Genoa
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vela42	Wi fi	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 89 11/06/09 17:46:48	Hello, For wifi I used a simple Belkin http://catalog.belkin.com...rocess?Product_Id=459648 via USB. It works great so far. I bought an extra 15 feet of cable and i sometimes sit it on the cabin top but it works well inside too. The Mother board is held off of the surface of the wood by small plastic spacers. no different than if it were in a case it is still supported only at the corners. I did roll back the system to XP. Vista and 7 just can not function well with the processor speed of 533mhz in the front buss. XP flies right along. My only real hiccup is trying to install a 7 inch monitor directly on the desk. RCA (yellow jack) requires a converter. I bought one at radio shack and it works but it must be manually turned on so it can not be hidden. Also i have not been able to just have a mirrored screen. It is either active or not. (one or the other) must be a setting somewhere. I am not knowledgeable about the mini macs but as long as they are DC voltage PSU i think it would be ok. To fat of a computer begins to burn wattage. Not a big deal on day sail but offshore it all adds up. Chris
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