.................................................Mac 26S Inside Mods Index Page........
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.............--- Computer/Chartplotter Build Index ---
....................(NOTE: This build has just started. Check Back)
If this build goes according to plan we'll end up with a 12 volt computer that will run all the software we run at home. In addition it will connect to the Internet when there is a wireless connection, play DVD movies, and provide us with TV if it is available.
The main use for it though will be as a Chartplotter using SeaClear II and NOOA charts. Also Open CNP will run on it using the same charts. It will be connected to a GPS puck to plot our course real time on the Chartplotter. We also have two Garmin GPSmap 76 handheld GPS's. One for the cockpit and one as a backup and to be used for the DCS on the VHF marine radio.
A 12 volt monitor designed to be used in car video systems will be used. It has a 10 inch (measured diagonally screen) and draws less than 10 watts. The location for the monitor will be just inside the companionway when used as a Chartplotter. It will be removable to use as the computer screen in the cabin and for movies/TV in the cabin also. The screen size will be comparable to chartplotters costing well over $1000.00.
Hopefully the computer will draw less than 40 watts and will run directly on 12 volts and won't have the losses associated with running an inverter.
This build is not going to be much cheaper than a 5 inch chartplotter, but hopefully we will end up with one with a much larger screen that will run all of the free NOOA charts and besides being a chartplotter it will be a low power computer that will do all of the things mentioned above on very few watts.
A special thanks to the author of ( this article ). I knew what I wanted to do and then found the link to the article and it saved me considerable time in looking for parts. I'll do some things different, but the overall concept of the build will be the same.
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