LifeHacker --- upgrade-your-car-this-weekend

[JAMAS]

This seemed to be right up our alley...

http://lifehacker.com/5705822/upgrad...r-this-weekend

[vt_maverick]

Cool find, but this CANNOT be safe:



http://lifehacker.com/5312703/turn-y...a-laptop-stand

[Ascinder]

Cool find, but this CANNOT be safe:

Why? Cops have the same setup in their patrol cars, just not mounted on PVC pipe. Just don't use it while driving. What's the big deal?

[vt_maverick]

Why? Cops have the same setup in their patrol cars, just not mounted on PVC pipe. Just don't use it while driving. What's the big deal?

I would hope that the ones cops use are bolted down to the center console, not held in place only by the closeness of the PVC diameter to that of the cup holder. Unless I'm missing something, nowhere does he indicate that the piping is held down with anything (glue, bolts, etc.).

What happens in an accident? Or a hard bounce? If drinks can bounce out of their cupholders, how much easier would it be for an 8lb. laptop (plus plywood)?

[circmand]

That vehicle has a cupholder my VX does not. I wonder how good my square hole would hold the round pvc?

[Marlin]

That vehicle has a cupholder my VX does not. I wonder how good my square hole would hold the round pvc?

Just get some of the square PVC...

I do dig the power panel, It would be a good project to do in the CD changer slot. I know Bart has an inverter there, and I copied him and did the same. Mine is not cleaned up like that, I have a ton of aluminum though...another good winter project I think.

You can get 700 watt inverters at HF pretty cheap. Mine is big enough to run my electric impact or a 3gallon compressor. The impact does trip the inverter every once in a while, but hey, for 30 or 40 bucks, no worries.

[vt_maverick]

So is heat not a concern with putting an inverter in the dash? I would worry about overheating the inverter and/or HVAC controls.

[etlsport]

there is plenty of room behind the dash in the lower slot. my plan has always been to put the inverter under one of the seats and then run the wires "remotely" to the outlets in the dash..

here is a photo of my lower dash slot.. similar idea to the power station, except i didnt put my 120v outlets there, still have an inverter waiting to be pillaged for that..

[Marlin]

Cool, you could move the scan gage up to the ashtray spot, it fits perfect:
Granted, I didn't make any panel or anything, I just stuck it in there, but it just the right size to blend nicely with your interior. Set the screen color to match your sweet head unit, and away you go
And no, it doesn't look that messy now, that was during my inclinometer install, I cleaned all the wires up and made it a bit cleaner. I do like the idea of a panel to hide the inverter, something like the one you made. Very nice.