hi all,

 

How do you connect a standard Rockford Fosgate amp to a carputer? Also can you recommend a screen?

 

If I go this route it will be with a mac mini.

 

Cheers, Rob

You want 3.5mm to RCA splitter cable, like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-Metre-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Jack-2x-Twin-Male-RCA-Phono-Plugs-Gold-Cable-Lead-/280749715818?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item415dfcb16a

 

or you could run an External sound card that has RCA outputs.

For screens there are a couple of main VGA touchscreen manufactures like Lilliput or Xenarc.

 

for UK retailers, Something like http://linitx.com/product/10773

 

They also do the new anti-glare screens which are quite expensive but Sun glare is a big issue in the car, especially the Z. http://linitx.com/category/185/115,185

Edited May 9, 201213 yr by Yowser

Cheers for the info mate, I now know where to come for any more info haha.

i had one of them http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160777954064?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 but get fed up of carputer cos it takes ages to boot

shame you're not closer could of taken a look at how mines plumbed in, i use a lilliput 7" touch screen, its connected to the amps via a 3.5 jack split into 4 way RCA cable.

I will have two amps in the car, I'm assuming I can just use an RCA splitter???? Also whatsthe deal with the amp remote lead, or is this chinned off as it's powered by the computer being switched off?

 

Also can they be wired into the ignition?

Cheers for the info mate, I now know where to come for any more info haha.

lol Bear in mind I've not really looked into carputers in several years, so Im probably out of touch these days.

 

i had one of them http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160777954064?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 but get fed up of carputer cos it takes ages to boot

 

That looks like it would do the job. Simplest solution for long bootups is have it wake from sleep rather then a complete bootup. Even with a relatively low spec carputer system , but using a cutdown Windows OS you can be fully up and ready to use in 10-15secs.

I will have two amps in the car, I'm assuming I can just use an RCA splitter???? Also whatsthe deal with the amp remote lead, or is this chinned off as it's powered by the computer being switched off?

 

Also can they be wired into the ignition?

 

the best solution is to use a dedicated 12v Carputer Intelligent PSU. They have 5v outputs for turning on the AMP (with a timer delay to prevent amp "THUD" from switch on) , and can be setup to automatically switch on with Igntiion, while preventing Spiking from Engine starting (serious issue!) and can be setup to shutdown the system properly (ie. go into sleep mode or shutdown the OS and powerdown properly) with ignition off...and even delay it by a certain time, like if you were just popping into the petrol station but didnt want to have to shut down and reboot inbetween.

 

They will even monitor the Car Battery to switch the carputer from sleepmode to full shutdown if battery gets below a configured voltage.

 

http://linitx.com/product/10917

Edited May 9, 201213 yr by Yowser

I don't want to use a windows based system mate, hence the mac mini. Everything I have is mac and with home share and icloud everything talks to each other.

 

Sounds li,e more hassle than fitting an iPad which is what I was going to do originally.