K

Kenner Costen

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #1

I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web sites
w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just purchased,
for others to see/follow.

Thanks.

 

J

Jonathan Race

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #2

Fire Departments and Police Departments have been using mounted laptop
computers in their vehicles for many years. The hardware and mounting
equipment has been around for a while. Check with your local agencies and
see what they are using.

Cheers - Jonathan

"Kenner Costen" <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote in message
news:E8t3e.64504$le4.7302@fed1read04...
>I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
>week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web sites
>w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
>me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just
>purchased, for others to see/follow.
>
> Thanks.
>
>

 

P

Peter D. Hipson

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #3

***Ug, cross posted... ***

If money is an issue, just use a notebook. I've had the (same)
notebook in my Hummer for about six or seven years now, and it still
works. Try local comptuer stores for a traded in notebook, or eBay.

If money is not an issue, there are several really (*REALLY*) nice
solutions with heavy duty boxes, remote LCD touch screens, wireless
keyboards, and the works. But these are expensive. Designed for
commercial duty, they will stand up well.


On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 01:06:09 -0800, "Kenner Costen"
<kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote:

>I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
>week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web sites
>w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
>me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just purchased,
>for others to see/follow.
>
>Thanks.
>

 

D

David Price

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #4

Try http://www.galls.com under vehicle equipment they have a laptop shelf
and a mounting arm. I've bought from them several times in the past and had
very good luck.




"Peter D. Hipson" <phipson@deletethisword.darkstar.mv.com> wrote in message
news:t88t415356pdg5j988npvg2fnl1eggerdf@4ax.com...
> ***Ug, cross posted... ***
>
> If money is an issue, just use a notebook. I've had the (same)
> notebook in my Hummer for about six or seven years now, and it still
> works. Try local comptuer stores for a traded in notebook, or eBay.
>
> If money is not an issue, there are several really (*REALLY*) nice
> solutions with heavy duty boxes, remote LCD touch screens, wireless
> keyboards, and the works. But these are expensive. Designed for
> commercial duty, they will stand up well.
>
>
> On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 01:06:09 -0800, "Kenner Costen"
> <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote:
>
>>I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
>>week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web
>>sites
>>w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
>>me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just
>>purchased,
>>for others to see/follow.
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>

 

E

Eugene Nine

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #5

Kenner Costen wrote:

> I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
> week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web
> sites w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty,
> please let me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I
> just purchased, for others to see/follow.
>
> Thanks.
www.mp3car.com is probably the best resource. I wanted mine to be sturdy so
I used a small rack mount case with a mini-itx fanless system and a laptop
hdd. Its very similar to www.mini-box.com but without the display on the
front of the chassis.

 

G

Generic

Guest

• Apr 2, 2005

• #6

http://www.itronix.com
Panasonic (toughbook)
http://www.walkabout-comp.com
http://www.xploretech.com

These are generally meant for construction, mining and military use. Get out
your checkbook, they run 2x, 3x, 4x or more than consumer grade models.

-John

"Kenner Costen" <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote in message
news:E8t3e.64504$le4.7302@fed1read04...
> I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
> week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web
sites
> w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
> me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just
purchased,
> for others to see/follow.
>
> Thanks.
>
>

 

K

Kenner Costen

Guest

• Apr 3, 2005

• #7

Thanks everyone, actually I am putting a 1/2 rack into the bed under my Leer
Cap. Into this I am putting in a UPS that is 12 volt to 12 volt regulated
supply that will supply the PC with roughly 24 hours of battery run time if
needed.

Below this I am mounting 4 1U Linux based servers using shock proof (we will
see) Hard Drives. If worst case come salong I can always run solid state
memory drives up 50 gig they have now but. the price is HUGE.

Below the PC/Servers I will mount a KVM up to a flatpanel touch screen
mounted to the right of the GMC's cluster (above the radio). I figure the
touch screen is more viable then a mouse in a truck.

Plan's are to run Verizon Wireless Internet to 1 unit w/ a Proxy Server/Log
In Server. Then one unit will handle MP3's, one will push video (movies) and
the 3rd will be used for the GPS/Mapping and Video Broadcasting.

I've done the laptop bit for some time, it just can't handle everything I
have in mind for the truck.

 

I

I.H. Scout

Guest

• Apr 3, 2005

• #8

"Kenner Costen" <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote in message
news:E8t3e.64504$le4.7302@fed1read04...
>I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
>week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web sites
>w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
>me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just
>purchased, for others to see/follow.
>
> Thanks.

You want a RAM mount. From their website:

RAM's patented solid rubber ball and sturdy metal socket mounts have been
tested by some of the following companies: Intermec, TRW, FMC, Rockwell,
Lowrance, Garmin, US Navy, US Army and many others. In every case, RAM
exceeded the required demand and was surprisingly accepted as the standard
mounting solution from then on. All 160 RAM components are 100%
interchangeable so if you decide to alter configurations or applications
simply switch out the components or the device RAM's holding. Convenience
and quality without a big dollar expense is what RAM brings along with
lifetime warranties, electronic protection and perfect viewing angles.

http://www.ram-mount.com/laptopcomp.htm

Good stuff!

 

S

Sarge

Guest

• Apr 3, 2005

• #9

"Kenner Costen" <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote in message
news:E8t3e.64504$le4.7302@fed1read04...
I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web sites
w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just purchased,
for others to see/follow."

You may want to consider the cooling of the computer. If it gets to hot the
CPU will shut down. You may need to add a cooler system with refrigerant to
keep it within operating temperatures. Many vehicles today are equipped
with regular PC computers but they are used in emergency services are other
services that usually AC controlled environment around the PC. Mounting the
PC itself in under the Leer cap where there is no air circulation may get
extremely hot from the sun not to mention the heat from the PC equipment and
from the vehicle's exhaust.

Sarge

 

E

Eugene Nine

Guest

• Apr 3, 2005

• #10

Kenner Costen wrote:

> Thanks everyone, actually I am putting a 1/2 rack into the bed under my
> Leer Cap. Into this I am putting in a UPS that is 12 volt to 12 volt
> regulated supply that will supply the PC with roughly 24 hours of battery
> run time if needed.
>
> Below this I am mounting 4 1U Linux based servers using shock proof (we
> will see) Hard Drives. If worst case come salong I can always run solid
> state memory drives up 50 gig they have now but. the price is HUGE.
>
> Below the PC/Servers I will mount a KVM up to a flatpanel touch screen
> mounted to the right of the GMC's cluster (above the radio). I figure the
> touch screen is more viable then a mouse in a truck.
>
> Plan's are to run Verizon Wireless Internet to 1 unit w/ a Proxy
> Server/Log In Server. Then one unit will handle MP3's, one will push video
> (movies) and the 3rd will be used for the GPS/Mapping and Video
> Broadcasting.
>
> I've done the laptop bit for some time, it just can't handle everything I
> have in mind for the truck.
What do you do to spend that much time in your mobile office?

 

K

Kenner Costen

Guest

• Apr 4, 2005

• #11

I am working on that. Currently I am going to "insualte" the shell with this
material that keeps the solar emissions lower, you can buy it at most home
stores looks like bubble wrap w/ tinfoil on it. But its supposed to drop the
E rating down to a 3, from 100 natural. This stop solar "radiation" heat,
and in turn cuts ambient. I have found some chips that run at 1gig that are
fairly stable in all but say August in Las Vegas but I will need to
circulate air and possible cool the units. I have looked at a couple of
solutions. I can mount the half rack inside a half size 12 volt fridge or I
can break down go to 1 unit larger unit and run a PC Cooler w/ Fluid and AC.
The trick is which will handle the roads the best w/ least problems if they
give way.

I am leaning towards the 12 volt fridge solution. I have done this for
systems in metal buildings in the middle of the desert and it works wonders.





"Sarge" <licker@lickersacademy.edu> wrote in message
news:d2p7ss0211r@enews1.newsguy.com...
> "Kenner Costen" <kenner.costen@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:E8t3e.64504$le4.7302@fed1read04...
> I am in the process of adding a computer to my truck ( I spend 60 hours a
> week in my truck as my mobile office). If anyone has any links to web
> sites
> w/ what others have done or hardware designed for extreme duty, please let
> me know. I will be documenting my installs on a web domain I just
> purchased,
> for others to see/follow."
>
> You may want to consider the cooling of the computer. If it gets to hot
> the
> CPU will shut down. You may need to add a cooler system with refrigerant
> to
> keep it within operating temperatures. Many vehicles today are equipped
> with regular PC computers but they are used in emergency services are
> other
> services that usually AC controlled environment around the PC. Mounting
> the
> PC itself in under the Leer cap where there is no air circulation may get
> extremely hot from the sun not to mention the heat from the PC equipment
> and
> from the vehicle's exhaust.
>
> Sarge
>
>
>

 

E

Eugene Nine

Guest

• Apr 4, 2005

• #12

Kenner Costen wrote:

> I am working on that. Currently I am going to "insualte" the shell with
> this material that keeps the solar emissions lower, you can buy it at most
> home stores looks like bubble wrap w/ tinfoil on it. But its supposed to
> drop the E rating down to a 3, from 100 natural. This stop solar
> "radiation" heat,
> and in turn cuts ambient. I have found some chips that run at 1gig that
> are fairly stable in all but say August in Las Vegas but I will need to
> circulate air and possible cool the units. I have looked at a couple of
> solutions. I can mount the half rack inside a half size 12 volt fridge or
> I can break down go to 1 unit larger unit and run a PC Cooler w/ Fluid and
> AC. The trick is which will handle the roads the best w/ least problems if
> they give way.
>
> I am leaning towards the 12 volt fridge solution. I have done this for
> systems in metal buildings in the middle of the desert and it works
> wonders.
>
That foil bubble wrap stuff works well, I insulated my last truck with it
and am thinking of doing this one. Is your cap fiberglass or aluminum? If
Aluminum you can put 1" thick insulation between the frame then cover with
the bubble wrap, then get the thin blue insulation stuff and cover it with
headliner material to match the truck.
Via makes a couple mini-ITX boards that run fanless, thats how I ran my mp3
player, they are not real fast but if you run a decent os like Linux/bsd
they are plenty fast enough.