Help me put NES in my car

Here\'s the plan. I want to surprise my friends by installing a Nintendo Entertainment System in my 99 Grand Am.

But I don\'t know how to do it.

So I\'ve been looking around online and am looking for input from anyone here that might know a thing or two about installing this type of stuff.

What I want is a visor monitor that I can play without sound, and an FM Modulator to route the audio through my stereo instead.

For installation, I need tips on how to hide the wires that lead up and back from the visor.

Also, how do I get power to the visor, FM Modulator, and NES?

Here\'s what I\'ve found online:



6" Color TFT/LCD Sun Visor Monitor
Resolution: 960 x 234
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Color Module
Sun Visor Kit
1 Video Input
1 Audio Input (Note that an NES only has one video output and one audio output)
Audio Output Power: 1W (Max)
Operating Voltage: 12V/1A
Dimensions: 223W x 127H x 22.5 (mm)
$180



2 Channel Wireless FM Modulator
DC 12V Cigarette Lighter Plug Included
Standard RCA Input Connections
For Use With DVD Players, VCPs and Various Game System
This is a blister packed item and as such cannot be returned unless defective
$30

Is there anything else I need to know?

Also, anyone know where I can buy the "newer" NES version that was smaller and loaded games from the top? I\'m on ebay right now...

-Dan

I installed a PS2 on my boat, so here\'s the basics.  You have to run your power (hot wire) to the visor through the A-Pillar, along with Video hookups.  You need to buy an inverter so that the NEW can run off of DC power.  Plug the NEW into the inverter, plug the video input into the Visor (this can differ from model to model, I doubt you\'ll have an S-video hookup on either the monitor or the NES) and plug the audio output into the FM modulator.

Top loader version = RF output only.  Not sure how that affects your setup but it may be a tad more susceptible to noise.  The original NES had video/audio RCA output jacks (though you should know just 1 audio jack for mono sound, you may need a splitter for that FM modulator).

There is an ongoing project to make a portable NES that works with all the old cartridge games:

http://www.classicgaming.com/nestable/

A DC-AC power inverter will give you a power outlet or two you can work with.

You have to run your power (hot wire) to the visor through the A-Pillar, along with Video hookups.

I don\'t follow that line.  Not sure what the A-Pillar means, either. I know in a car I can use the cigarette lighter for one thing, but that leaves the visor and the inverter that sitll need power.  Where do I run their wires to?

You need to buy an inverter so that the NES can run off of DC power.  Plug the NES into the inverter, plug the video input into the Visor and plug the audio output into the FM modulator.

I didn\'t know about the inverter.  Thanks.  The rest of your directions I follow.  Thanks for the help so fast, heh.

-Dan

*ps- it may just be a better idea to install a Dreamcast in your car.  You can get a disc with 1000 NES games on it that will play in a stock DC with no m0dchip.  I\'m sure those NES carts won\'t like any heat buildup in your car.

But I\'d have to say there\'s more of a cool factor playing on those enormous carts with that smalll boxy controller in your hand

Originally posted by THX
Top loader version = RF output only.  Not sure how that affects your setup but it may be a tad more susceptible to noise.  The original NES had video/audio RCA output jacks (though you should know just 1 audio jack for mono sound, you may need a splitter for that FM modulator).

A DC-AC power inverter will give you a power outlet or two you can work with.

Splitter is probably going to be a good idea, and I didn\'t realize that about the top-loader.  I think I\'ll try to rig up the clunkier box instead.  Now I just need to find one that\'s in good shape.  I can\'t be crawling around the car, blowing air into my NES to get it working, heh.

Power inverters are new to me, so I\'m checking out that link right now.  Thanks.

-Dan

the hotwire is the wire that carry\'s the 12v power, in order to hide it on the install, you\'ll have to run it behind the A-pillar molding.  The A-Pillar is the pillar that run upwards along the windshield, the B-Pillar is the pillar that run upwards in between the front and back seats.

Can you tell if that visor I picked out uses a 3-prong cord? That affects what type of inverter I need to buy.

-Dan

I can almost garuntee that it\'ll use DC power, either through a cigarete adapter or just a hot and ground wire.

*edit, it does use DC

So that means I don\'t need to use the inverter for that. But since I\'ll have the FM Modulator in the cigarette adapter, how do I hook up the screen? Do I run wires out to the battery?

-Dan

look up on google how to install a dvd player and monitor in a car, it\'s the same setup.

Will do.

Is this a good inverter? I want to be able to attach it to the battery.



Make the most of your travel time! Xantrex\'s XPower 400 Plus power inverter converts your vehicle\'s cigarette lighter (or DC power outlet) into two grounded 115-volt AC outlets. You can power a laptop computer, camcorder, 20" TV/VCR combos, or most 27" TVs.

The unit shuts down with a warning light if battery power gets low. For loads over 150 watts, a fused, direct connection to car battery is required (check with a Product Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 for details).

Key Features:

320 watts continuous power (600 watts surge)
two 3-prong, 115-volt AC outlets
automatic shutdown with low battery power
cooling fan
35" cord with DC lighter plug and hardwire
3\' battery cables for direct connection to vehicle battery
6-1/2"W x 2-3/8"H x 4-1/8"D
warranty: 1-year

-Dan

The choices on that site I posted are limited.  There are probably better choices for what you\'re using.  320w continuous is overkill.

What would be better, any idea?

Sorry for being a pest, but this is all helpful.

-Dan

buy a 150 watt one at wally world for 30 bucks