Dell Studio Hybrid (Installed in vehicle, 12v-24v)

**Fiberoptic** · 08-20-2008, 09:34 AM

We are thinking about buying one to see if we can make it work with the Carnetix p2140.

That power connector looks funky like there might be some circuitry in there which requires the use of proprietary power supply like what is in the mac mini.

Does anyone have the voltage stats on the power supply?

**Dan2008** · 08-20-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Fiberoptic

We are thinking about buying one to see if we can make it work with the Carnetix p2140.

That power connector looks funky like there might be some circuitry in there which requires the use of proprietary power supply like what is in the mac mini.

Does anyone have the voltage stats on the power supply?

From my post on page one of this thread:

I also found the power specs in the setup guide. It uses 19.5 vDC at 3.34 a for 65w. The AC adapter provides 19.5vDC output at 65w.

**afterdigital** · 08-24-2008, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dan2008

From my post on page one of this thread:

Thanks Dan,

BTW, great post. My friend just bought this unit for his TV and i am impressed with the size and functionality.

How would you go about connecting this to the car DC? Or how about swapping the Power supply for an 2-ATX automotive power supply, is that even an option?

**Fiberoptic** · 08-25-2008, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Dan2008

From my post on page one of this thread:

Even though the voltages match, that doesn't necessarily mean you can just feed it 19.5 and it will work. Many manufacturers force you to use their power supplies with secret electronics to increase long term accessory sales.

As far as the M2 goes, i highly doubt there is space in the device for an M2. You are probably just going to want to feed the device 19v through a device like the carnetix p1900 or the p2140.

The key things that need to be tested on this device are:
1. Power on connector for ignition integration. Do we need to make a cable or can we use a part from the aopen or mac mini power pack?
2. Will it take a plain 19.5v or do you need to fake it into thinking you are using a factory supplied power supply?

**ik632** · 08-26-2008, 10:07 PM

We definitely look forward to hearing what works. I'm digging this thing and considering getting one to replace the loud desktop that's sitting next to me.

**Dan2008** · 08-27-2008, 06:57 AM

One thing I suggest before buying one is to read the customer comments at Dell. Most folks are disappointed in the video capabilities and if you are replacing a desktop, don't do it if you use the desktop for any type of gaming.

Basically this is (from what I read) a cool-looking internet browser/word processor, etc...built for low-demand applications.

Personally I'm going to give it a year to be improved before considering buying one.

**ik632** · 08-27-2008, 01:16 PM

I saw some of that. Most people think they are getting a high horsepower machine for gaming. With computers diverging these days people like Dell and HP need to come up with some type of rating to tell people that they won't be able to play fps at 1600x1200 resolution on a box like this. It would be the same as someone buying a mini-itx board with integrated video and expect to do the same.

I always try to set my expectations low so that I'm pleasantly surprised.

**kibble** · 08-27-2008, 01:57 PM

Just to throw my 2 cent's into this. The power connector on the back of that pc looks just like the laptop connectors on Dell's laptops. I've taken a Dell latitude power supply apart before and there are a total of three conductors on it. The out side of the barrel is ground, the inside of the barrel is 19.5V and the third (the pin in the middle) I'm not sure, but I measured 10V with my multimeter. I remember that pin going to a few components in the power supply board but I didn't really pay attention what all it did. I just needed the 19.5V out for a different purpose so I ignored that pin. The power supply still provides 19.5V whether that pin is connected to something or not.

**Fiberoptic** · 08-27-2008, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by kibble

Just to throw my 2 cent's into this. The power connector on the back of that pc looks just like the laptop connectors on Dell's laptops. I've taken a Dell latitude power supply apart before and there are a total of three conductors on it. The out side of the barrel is ground, the inside of the barrel is 19.5V and the third (the pin in the middle) I'm not sure, but I measured 10V with my multimeter. I remember that pin going to a few components in the power supply board but I didn't really pay attention what all it did. I just needed the 19.5V out for a different purpose so I ignored that pin. The power supply still provides 19.5V whether that pin is connected to something or not.

The question is does a 10v pin exist on this exact power supply and is it required to boot the dell studio hybrid? Hopefully we can test it one of these days.

If someone wants to goof around with this and try it out, you should be able to use the secondary output to feed the dell 10v if that is all that is required.

**kibble** · 08-27-2008, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Fiberoptic

The question is does a 10v pin exist on this exact power supply and is it required to boot the dell studio hybrid? Hopefully we can test it one of these days.

Yeah, I don't know if it exists on that one or not, I was just saying that the connector looks identical to it and also because of the fact that the laptops use 19.5V and this is also 19.5v.

I'll get out that power supply and I'll see if I can figure out what it does.