Installing a computer in the motorhome

R

robert teed

New member
Feb 15, 1998
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Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
content
from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must work
out good on the road! I will be using that.
See Ya,
Rob
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Gcbr
>Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 1998 10:55 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Installing a computer in the motorhome
>
>
>In a message dated 98-06-09 21:07:53 EDT, you write:
>
> Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
> progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
> large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
> a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
> program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
> content
> from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
> space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
> I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must work
> out good on the road! I will be using that.
> See Ya,
> Rob >>
>Rob
>
>WOW please tell us more. Thanks for the entry.
>
>Take Care
>Arch
>
Arch,
Theres not much more to tell right now. But I will say theres alot of
new High Tech items coming out this year..Auto PC is one item. Its a
replacement for your am/fm car radio. It has a cdrom built into an am/fm
radio. It also has special functions such as a address book,Cell Phone
dialing by voice command,map directions from one place to another and
can interface with a cd changer, GPS, and a security system. This radio
is software and hardware expandable. Its running Microsofts WindowCE.
Check out Microsofts website for more info. I plan on having one of these
installed in the GMC also.
See Ya,
Rob
 
>
>
>
>Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
> progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
> large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
> a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
> program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
>content
> from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
> space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
> I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must work
> out good on the road! I will be using that.
> See Ya,
> Rob
>
>
>
>

Rob,

You'll want to use a case regardless. There are a few reasons, among them
are the fact that your machine will not be FCC type approved without the
case, and the case provides some protection against static discharge when
properly wired to the power supply.

Also, you may want to spring for a ruggedized case and motherboard to guard
against boards working their way loose due to vibration. Shock mounts are
probably a good idea no matter what technology you choose.

We've decided to use notebook PCs in out coach since they are somewhat more
rugged than ordinary desktop units, we can operate them directly from the
12V supply without loss due to an inverter, and they take up less room. For
a pinter we're using a Canon Notejet notebook PC with a built-in printer.
We'll be trying several configurations through July to decide on what's best
for us.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com
 
Robert,
I'd suggest you find a place for the computer where you can keep a case.
It'll serve as protection as well as shielding, etc.
Use a large enough inverter to power computer and monitor. I leave mine on
inverter (actually battery power) all the time. That way it's no problem to
run/switch power/genset and also protects agains breaker on shorepower
popping.

If budget is available have a look at the flat screens instead of regular
bulky monitor.

Another 'convenience item' is Logitechs' (or others) rf remote keyboard and
mouse. Works great.

If you have questions, ask away.... been travelling with 1-3 computers for
many years. Printers are the biggest problem due to their bulk. Panasonic
makes (made) a Laser that stands upright and takes very little room stored
and only a little more open.

I usually carry the non-laptop computer on the step behind co-pilot seat
and/or under the table (street-side dinette).

I'm currently considering the new small case by Toshiba which might even fit
between co-pilot chair and outside wall.

Don't expect too much from Cellular, but as more and more camping places add
landline phone plug-ins it's absolutely the best to sit in your GMC and surf
the net.

The TV card will also work great.

Heinz
'76 Transmode -- www.bytedesigns.com/gmc

- -----Original Message-----
From: Robert Teed
To: Gmcmotorhome
Date: Tuesday, June 09, 1998 6:14 PM
Subject: GMC: Installing a computer in the motorhome

>
>
>Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
> progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
> large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
> a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
> program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
>content
> from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
> space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
> I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must work
> out good on the road! I will be using that.
> See Ya,
> Rob
>
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Heinz
>Wittenbecher
>Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 1998 12:37 AM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Installing a computer in the motorhome
>
>
>Robert,
>I'd suggest you find a place for the computer where you can keep a case.
>It'll serve as protection as well as shielding, etc.
>Use a large enough inverter to power computer and monitor. I leave mine on
>inverter (actually battery power) all the time. That way it's no problem to
>run/switch power/genset and also protects agains breaker on shorepower
>popping.
>
>If budget is available have a look at the flat screens instead of regular
>bulky monitor.
>
>Another 'convenience item' is Logitechs' (or others) rf remote keyboard and
>mouse. Works great.
>
>If you have questions, ask away.... been travelling with 1-3 computers for
>many years. Printers are the biggest problem due to their bulk. Panasonic
>makes (made) a Laser that stands upright and takes very little room stored
>and only a little more open.
>
>I usually carry the non-laptop computer on the step behind co-pilot seat
>and/or under the table (street-side dinette).
>
>I'm currently considering the new small case by Toshiba which
>might even fit
>between co-pilot chair and outside wall.
>
>Don't expect too much from Cellular, but as more and more camping
>places add
>landline phone plug-ins it's absolutely the best to sit in your
>GMC and surf
>the net.
>
>The TV card will also work great.
>
>Heinz
>'76 Transmode -- www.bytedesigns.com/gmc
>
>
Heinz,
Sounds good. I will take all this into consideration.
Do You have a TV card that is simucast ready. Thats what you
need to use the " Wavetop " software.
Later,
Rob
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
>hdavis
>Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 1998 12:37 AM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Installing a computer in the motorhome
>
>

>>
>>
>>
>>Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
>> progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
>> large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
>> a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
>> program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
>>content
>> from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
>> space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
>> I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must work
>> out good on the road! I will be using that.
>> See Ya,
>> Rob
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>Rob,
>
>You'll want to use a case regardless. There are a few reasons, among them
>are the fact that your machine will not be FCC type approved without the
>case, and the case provides some protection against static discharge when
>properly wired to the power supply.
>
>Also, you may want to spring for a ruggedized case and motherboard
>to guard
>against boards working their way loose due to vibration. Shock mounts are
>probably a good idea no matter what technology you choose.
>
>We've decided to use notebook PCs in out coach since they are
>somewhat more
>rugged than ordinary desktop units, we can operate them directly from the
>12V supply without loss due to an inverter, and they take up less
>room. For
>a pinter we're using a Canon Notejet notebook PC with a built-in printer.
>We'll be trying several configurations through July to decide on
>what's best
>for us.
>
>Henry
>
>
>Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
>PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
>Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
>ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
>fax: (408) 462-5198
>http://www.henry-davis.com
>
Henry,
I guess I should clear one thing up. When I said no case, Im thinking
of putting the computer parts in the dash or under the driver seat.
Something like that. I had a laptop and didnt like it...But they are
much better now! However I have spare parts laying around, enough to
build a complete desktop system except for a harddrive. So thats why
I'll be using those components. Plus I will be able to upgrade as
computer technology grows.
See Ya,
Rob
 
Wavetop sounds interesting, first I heard of it. Thanks for bringing it up.
A correction re the URL: it's www.wavetop.net instead of .com.
I use an ATI tuner card. It'll do simulcast.

I'm about to try and dedicate a computer strictly to the GMC and hopefully
do away with one TV. I use a GPS and EFI monitor while underway so it seems
time to give the GMC some extra brain power :-)

Just in case anyone is pondering on whether to win98 or not... my
recommendation is yes.

Heinz

>>
>>
>Heinz,
> Sounds good. I will take all this into consideration.
> Do You have a TV card that is simucast ready. Thats what you
> need to use the " Wavetop " software.
>Later,
> Rob
 
Hi Rob,

You've gotten lots of good advice on this already, but I'd like to
reiterate a point or two and add some ideas.

Use a case. Aside from the FCC/MFI/RFI issues, it will be easier to
cool in a case. Don't mount in in or under the dash.

Many computer power supplies are very voltage sensitive, so if you're
running off the generator, consider using a line conditioner.

A laptop would be the best solution, but there is the cost factor...

For net access, cellular will be somewhat pricey, as you know. Consider
a combination of PCDirec and cellular. You have an 18 inch dish for the
satellite on the roof that must be aligned each time, but your requests
would go out over land-line or cellular at up to 56Kb, but everything
coming to you would be at speeds up to 400Kbs. Nice for email, web
browsing, etc.

Keep us posted.

Bob Brewer

- -----Original Message-----
From: Robert Teed [mailto:robteed]
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 1998 6:00 PM
To: Gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Installing a computer in the motorhome

Im going to be installing a computer in my gmc. I will post my
progress on this list. The plan is to install a pentium motherboard
large harddrive,ect. I might not use a case. Also I will be installing
a tv tuner card and my monitor will double as a tv. There is a free
program called " Wavetop " that will enable you to get some free web
content
from your tv tuner and an antenna or cable hookup. With much comercial
space used on the harddrive. You can check it out at www.wavetop.com .
I also see alot of You use "Juno" the free email service. That must
work
out good on the road! I will be using that.
See Ya,
Rob
 
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