Welcome to Truckputer.com this site is a chronological recording of my Ram 1500 truckputer project. The goal is to document the progress from installation to regular upgrades of the system and truck, as well as inspire others to pursue carputing for them selves.
Update #3: USB Madness
Submitted by Nick on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 02:57
The GPS is in place and the hard drive is spinning but how will I ever make everything fit in just 2 USB ports? Easy, unpowered USB hubs! Two to be exact, one in the arm rest and one behind the truckputer.
The first USB hub is strapped securely beneath the truckputer, this hub provides GPS access as well as 3 available ports for additional add-ons, The second hub provides external HDD access and keyboard functionality.
At this point the truckputer has a working music/movie database and incorporated GPS system. I decided to take everything for a test drive. To my anticipated shock, I quickly recognized a grounding issue caused by the power inverter; while the power supply was turned on it generated static which transferred via the USB network to my audio card and straight into the stereo. Swiftly I borrowed a gator clip and wire and grounded it to a spare power outlet in my arm rest, highlighted in the following image.
Connecting the USB to the trucks grounded frame removed all static from the audio instantly.
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