 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / July 2005Next project: RV desktop computer with GPS,MP3,temps and batt V's.
Well, I'm in the building stage of my next RV mod/project. I want a computer mounted permanently in it that isn't going to cost $1200. Something that I can use with GPS, a large screen, MP3, temp sensing and Wifi. Solution: a P3-1gig with 512 ram and a 30meg HD,DVD and CDRW with a 15" flat screen that is mounted for both GPS and recreactional needs. I looked at different mounting arms for monitors and decided that they are way too expensive and most that I have found do not meet my needs. I've decided to make my own mount to fit a queen over cab fleetwood, tioga, montara (which is used for sleeping). I'm planning on using 1.25" PVC pipe which rotates on a piviot piont so that I can safely view the GPS while driving yet tuck it away out of theives view and locks into both positions. I've already mastered the $50 backup camera (which may increase to $75 once the toad is in place, poor choice of mounting when towing or add $25 and have two views ((Toad and Road)). Now to add a versatile and reasonable cost computer while on the road. Ed aka tat-2 > Well, > I'm in the building stage of my next RV mod/project. I want a computer [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > aka > tat-2 All sounds great. My only problem is the cost of WIFI. I have considered satellite and am still thinking about it, but at the present I hook up using netzero and that means taking my computer to a phone line. So a laptop works for me. readytorv > My only problem is the cost of WIFI. A USB WiFi adapter is inexpensive...under $40 after buy.com's $10 mail in rebate (yes, it went up $10 this week). If you take their credit card you get an added $30 off... http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10362460&adid=17654&dcaid= 17654 Make sure this URL is pasted into a text editor and made into one continuous line... Just be sure you put a note on your order that only the Rev Z version is acceptable, and if it does not have a small print 'Rev Z' just under the UPC code block on the box, return it unopened. My friend is going through a return process with the factory because the old version he got without the Rev Z on the box does not work well. There are free WiFi access points available very many places.... Good luck, Barrie B >> My only problem is the cost of WIFI. >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Good luck, > Barrie B I couldn't figure that one out either. I mean we are in an RV news room. If $40 or even full retail price is to much then what does she do at the pump when the gas bill is $125? or forbid any repairs, even a state inspection in my are is almost $100. Ed 1997 Tioga Montara 26' Ford 460. PA > >> My only problem is the cost of WIFI. > >> [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Ford 460. > PA Perhaps I mis-stated myself. What I meant was you had to pay for wireless connection. I have a wireless thingy that sticks in the side of my laptop, but I'm not really familiar with how it works yet. >> >> My only problem is the cost of WIFI. >> >> [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > laptop, > but I'm not really familiar with how it works yet. Now, I understand you talking about the per night charge at campgrounds, etc. I know there are free hotspots but unfortunately not too many in my area. Ed > Perhaps I mis-stated myself. What I meant was you had to pay for wireless > connection. I have a wireless thingy that sticks in the side of my laptop, > but I'm not really familiar with how it works yet. Oh, that thing may NOT be WiFi....the main advantage of WiFi is the availability of free connectivity at libraries, coffee shops, and people who share their private internet connections with unencrypted WiFi nodes. WiFi range is usually under 500 feet from the node, but the service is usually broadband speed. If it is a PCMCIA cellular data modem connection, it could be quite expensive to use, requiring a separate cellular account and might carry per minute charges too. We have a Verizon cellphone for voice calls, on an old 150 prime time minute National Single Rate plan that costs $35/mo + tax and charges nothing extra for roaming anywhere there is service in the USA. It came with free weekend minutes. We bought the Verizon mobile office kit for our PHONE...an old Motorola Startac 7868. This kit has a cable to plug the phone into the computer serial port, and installation software, cost $75 four years ago. We use it weekends to get on the net wherever there is Verizon digital service. It is slow (14.4 Kb/s) but costs nothing extra. Today I would get the Verizon America's choice plan, which does charge roaming in some areas, but I would be careful not to use it there. America's choice gives you free nights too, as well as weekends. Check out Yahoo group Internet by Cellphone for ideas on the best way to do this now...things change rapidly. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/ You should not need to spend a lot of money above your voice cellphone charges to stay connected on the road, unless you need frequent prime time connectivity for a business. HTH, Barrie B >b b <Barrie@juno.com> wrote: >Today I would get the Verizon America's choice plan, which does charge >roaming in some areas, but I would be careful not to use it there. >America's choice gives you free nights too, as well as weekends. A small correction, Barrie. As of February, all *new* America's Choice plans have no roaming. If you can make a call, it's included in plan minutes. They did that by eliminating analog coverage. Except for 911 calls, you can't make a call in an analog area with the current AC plan. This is pretty irrelevant to the current discussion, though, since you need to have a digital signal to make a data call anyway, unless you buy additional hardware.  SignatureDD >As of February, all *new* America's Choice plans have no roaming. If you >can make a call, it's included in plan minutes. They did that by >eliminating analog coverage. Except for 911 calls, you can't make a call >in an analog area with the current AC plan. That's true, but you can extend your old AC1 (I call the new AC2) and still have roaming if you want. It takes a little doing and a nice CS rep. Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >Hunter <HHamp5246@aol.com> wrote: >>As of February, all *new* America's Choice plans have no roaming. If you >>can make a call, it's included in plan minutes. They did that by [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >It takes a little doing and a nice CS rep. What do you mean by "extend your old AC1"? I simply did nothing, and we still have AC1. And I'm ALWAYS nice to CS reps. Not once have I ever said to myself, "Damn, I wish I had been nastier to that rep!" SignatureDD > >Hunter <HHamp5246@aol.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > we > still have AC1. That's me. I still have the National Single Rate plan with no roaming, no long distance in US and Canada, and as long as I can get a signal I can make calls, except on a very few rare occasions. When those came up, a pay phone call to customer service has always got it turned on. It's now a phone call every couple of months and emails about as often, offering me these new fantastic plans. It's always the same answer. Thanks, but no thanks. In almost 5 years now, we went over 1 minute on prime time and have never come close to using that tub of other time minutes. Tom J who, since started using WIFI, uses even less minutes >>It takes a little doing and a nice CS rep. > >What do you mean by "extend your old AC1"? I simply did nothing, and we >still have AC1.> If you change anything, get a new phone or change your minutes they will tell you you have to get the new AC2 plan.... more minutes for the money and no roaming. >And I'm ALWAYS nice to CS reps. Not once have I ever said to myself, >"Damn, I wish I had been nastier to that rep!"> Hello! Reread what I wrote... I said you have to get a nice rep... not you have to be nice to the rep. Hunter Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" snip >If you change anything, get a new phone or change your minutes they >will tell you you have to get the new AC2 plan.... more minutes for >the money and no roaming. Yes they will tell you that but it is not true. I also have the old single rate plan. A number of time I have increased my monthly minutes for a few months and then dropped it back. When you do this the CS person will tell you that you have automatically changed to AC. Just stick with it and if need be request a supervisor. SignatureGypsy Bill & Jo Ann Full timing RV'ers reply to: az9b13d4j located at earthlink dot net > As of February, all *new* America's Choice plans have no roaming. If you > can make a call, it's included in plan minutes. They did that by > eliminating analog coverage. Except for 911 calls, you can't make a call > in an analog area with the current AC plan. Thanks Dave.. we'll keep our current plan, as our main communication medium with the family is voice, and we still do get into analog areas.... I did not intend to change anyway, as the net is mostly "hobby" with us. We can do all the banking by voice too, but the net is better. Then, maybe WiFi will come through... :-) Thanks, Barrie B >b b <Barrie@juno.com> wrote: >> As of February, all *new* America's Choice plans have no roaming. If you >> can make a call, it's included in plan minutes. They did that by [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >Thanks, >Barrie B We kept our old AC plan as well when they offered us the new plan with an additional 50 minutes for the same price. I don't want to be stuck in Bumfuque, North Dakota, unable to call friends, family, or a tow truck because there is no digital service there. SignatureDD > Well, > I'm in the building stage of my next RV mod/project. I want a computer [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > aka > tat-2 Desktop computers use up to 10 times the power of a laptop 400 watts vs 40 watts. If you are running off an RV inverter, this is a Big Difference. Laptops also have built in battery-backup for times when a generator runs out of gas. And, of course laptops can be carried to WiFi areas. Be sure to get one with a good bright screen. ER If my generator runs out of gas I have a bigger problem to deal with then the computer not working. (I have a class C). I plan to add an inverter and solar panels ( I have one that will power the desktop) and have a laptop but, since I run the generator to power the AC when driving to reduce the load on the engine/tranny (I don't want to be posting any Ford 460 tranny questions), exercise the generator (I bought my rig used and the genny had only 12 hrs on it from 1997 and it had the carb replaced because it wasn't used). I now have 26 hrs on it after using it at its parking place (purchased and delivered in April) while adding the goodies that I wanted. I wanted a GPS with a quick install to use the GPS/MP3 functions I went with a desktop install. I don't boondock much as even most of the state parks have electricity. Also, if the vehicle is ever broken into, It is much easier to handle a $300 computer/monitor setup lose then a $1200 loss. I know someone is going to say that it will require more then $900 in solar to meet these demands but it is an interim project. Once I have a full solar array and the battery capacity to meet it, I may switch over to a laptop. Ed >> Well, >> I'm in the building stage of my next RV mod/project. I want a computer [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > ER >"tat-2" <tat-2@rcn.com> wrote: >I know someone is going to say that it will require more then $900 in solar >to meet these demands but it is an interim project. Once I have a full solar >array and the battery capacity to meet it, I may switch over to a laptop. > >Ed We paid around $1,300 for two 120 watt panels, wiring, and a fancy controller. We get about 100 amp-hours a day from those when parked in the desert with the panel pointed in the direction of the sun at solar noon. Perhaps that can serve as a basis for calculating whether $900 on solar equipment will meet your needs. SignatureDD |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.