tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36915240505574051722011-07-07T22:39:09.281+01:00Fusing a computer with a Toyota HiLuxPeter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.comBlogger131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-30792961841860927322009-08-01T17:05:00.001+01:002009-08-01T17:08:22.550+01:00

So I plugged the laptop and USB/OBD-II adaptor into my sister-in-law's 2005 Toyota Yaris and guess what - it worked first time.Therefore, the laptop is configured right but the iLux must not support OBD-II. I'm leaving this part of the project for a little while to focus on other aspects. My GPS puc arrived in the post yesterday so I'll be having a look at that soon.

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-77014715578750154102009-07-31T00:19:00.009+01:002009-07-31T01:06:59.947+01:00

A central element of any Carputer is the interface. De rigueur these days is some kind of touch screen display embedded in the dash to look like it came with the car.Before I left on holiday, I came across a guy on e-may selling 8" Lilliput touch screen displays. He was in Ireland (Mayo) and the screens were good value compared to buying new in US and paying shipping and import tax. When I got

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-11023203271293719662009-07-30T23:29:00.004+01:002009-07-30T23:54:20.437+01:00

So, staying with the Star Wars theme.....I posted earlier indicating that I'd found what looked like an OBD-II connector under the steering column on the iLux. (I now know this to be a DLC3 16 pin interface). I'd done some cursory reading on OBD-II dignostics and noted that it was supported in Centrafuse. With the connector there and all indications pointing to it being supported on the HiLux, I

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-33260143514457172562009-07-22T16:27:00.005+01:002009-07-22T16:41:13.910+01:00

No posts, (or even thinking about project iLux), for the past week or so as we've been on a family holiday. Took the Hilux on a 1,000 mile drive through England taking in Legoland Windsor, some relatives in Kent and CenterParcs Elveden. Excellent time had by all and the car performed faultlessly - very comfortable and very practical.I didn't get to do the air con swap and cruise control mentioned

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-32634152927492815082009-07-10T23:39:00.010+01:002009-07-22T16:27:37.748+01:00

Getting ahead of myself a little, I'm thinking today about multi-zone audio. I've spotted a news post over at Centrafuse where they talk about and show a demo of true multi-zone in operation (see video below). I'd like this and there's a chance it will come in Centrafuse 3.0 so I might as well build my systems to accomodate.I'd like a dual-zone system whereby front passangers and rear passangers

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-2146608911235005532009-07-09T10:55:00.005+01:002009-07-09T11:22:55.948+01:00

With my current problem getting my phone tethered to the Acer, I suspect that I've introduced a little too much complexity into my setup. When it installed my Belkin bluetooth adaptor originally, I installed the drivers that came with it on the disc. I later discovered that this adaptor was not supported directly by Centrafuse/BlueSoleil and I needed to hack some .ini/.inf files to make it work.

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-44918834695265212862009-07-08T14:16:00.004+01:002009-07-09T11:23:31.169+01:00

Nothing to do with technology but got a new pair of front tyres on yesterday. Hercules TerraTrac A/W 265/70's to match the rear pair that were put on when I bouth the car last October. Got them balanced and got the tracking done. Car now drives in a straight line!In other news, I spent a few hours trying to get my N95 to work as a modem for the Acer. It works great as a tethered modem via

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-34643408611113692532009-07-05T15:21:00.005+01:002009-07-09T11:24:08.857+01:00

A visit to the local PCWorld has resulted in the acquistion of a number of items of a technical nature that should bring the creaking old Acer within sight of modernity.I have purchased;Belkin USB 2.0 notebook card (F4U008ea)Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter (F5D7050)Belkin Bluetooth USB Adapter (F8T013xx1)Sandisk Cruzer Micro 8GB ThumbdriveThe idea behind this is to give the venerable old

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-76062148504374266762009-07-05T14:45:00.004+01:002009-07-05T15:20:51.615+01:00

So, with Centrafuse installed, I can get a good idea of how the UI would work. One of the nice things I've discovered is that the software can bring some additional functionality to the party.One thing it features is OBD, the ability to interface with a standardised vehicle diagnostics port to display engine management and other information. A little research reveals that Toyota has a proprietary

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-26941915495757642382009-07-05T12:36:00.006+01:002009-07-05T15:13:12.162+01:00

In searching the InterWeb, I've come across a few good HiLux resources;www.newhilux.netA site dedicated to the Mk6 HiLux. Based in Australia with a discernible Australian bias, it's nevertheless a remarkable community where there are answers to everything and some very serious HiLux modding going on. (I discovered 2 ways to disable the annoying beep when the driver door is open and keys are in

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-76965216389695038732009-07-04T17:51:00.006+01:002009-07-04T18:22:05.506+01:00

So, a decision to base the iLux on M$ Windows made things a bit easier. I tinker. As mentioned earlier, I've been into HTPCs for the past few years, building and rebuilding DVD playing, whole house audio systems for speed and silence. I also build PCs for work so I have a few bits and pieces lying around. You could say.More online research led me to identify two main approaches to the CPU element

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-40268760937480985892009-07-04T12:58:00.003+01:002009-07-04T14:02:41.591+01:00

Knowing very little about carputers (as pcs in vehicles are affectionately known), I had a lot of learning to do. My objective was to build a system that would have the following functionality;CD PlaybackFLAC Playback DVD PlaybackVideo file playbackFM RadioGPS Navigation SystemHands free telephone integrationInternet Access for Web and E-mailVideo input for in-car camera monitoringTouchscreen

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3691524050557405172.post-65515021996189296502009-07-04T03:52:00.007+01:002009-07-04T17:42:47.277+01:00

In October 2008 I purchased a Toyota Hilux. Actually, a 2006 Hilux Vigo 3.0 crew cab, originally imported from Thailand but acquired by me from McConnon Motors. It replaced a Peugeot 306 that had served it's time well but was just too small for use for work (lugging video equipment around) and scouts (lugging camping gear around).I was pleased. The HiLux is a fine pickup. The Vigo spec. is nice

Peter Meehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408439413981267545noreply@blogger.com0