Thread: I'm not sure how to start a project - I'm really frustrated

Originally Posted by pcdoctor01

(I'm a female techie who would really get a kick out of having a carpc)
I bought the book "Car PC Hacks" but it greek to me. I have no problem working on laptops and desktops at work but when it comes to installing them in a car, I'm very afraid!
I'm really want a carpc but I'm tempted to get a Pioneer AVH-3100. I prefer a carpc since I can do more but here is my problem. I have a 350Z 2005 with a non-bose and non-navigation stock radio. I think this radio doesn't have a aux in.
Here are my questions:
1. How do I connect a laptop or desktop if my stock radio doesn't have an aux in? (I'd rather not purchase a new HU)
(fm modulator, fm transmitter or something else)
2. If I go with a laptop, can I use a DC adapter to connect my laptop to my car's cigarette lighter?
3. Is it recommended to keep a Lilliput or Xenarc plugged into a cigarette lighter?
4. How do most users power their Lilliput or Xenarc monitors?
5. My car has two cigarette lighter plugs in. Do I unplug these devices from the cigarette lighters every night?
I haven't purchased a monitor yet but I already have an old laptop that I'd like to use. I'm just trying to think this through. Thx for any input.

1) Dump the stock radio, run the PC to an amp (nothing flashy or fancy needed), and amp to the speakers.

2) Yes minus the cig lighter part. Cig lighters are not meant for the power of a laptop. Run a dedicated wire from the battery. Also check out the mp3car store for DC-DC PSU's designed for laptops with integrated shut down controllers (start and shut down with the car's ignition line)

3 & 4) No. Now the cig lighter can handle the screen's power just fine, but most people mold the screen into the dash (or a spare dash so you can revert to stock at a later time) and connect the power directly to the car's power so nothing is seen. Which line you connect it to is up to you. I have mine powered 24/7 off of a +12v constant line. Some power it from the IGN line so it is on only with the car, but then on the cheaper ones you have to push the power button as it doesnt auto-on, and some connect it to the PSU's +12v line, but honestly dont know why as there is no benefit since the screen comes with a regulator...

5) Dont use the cig lighters! This image is an oldie, but a goodie:


Oh and

Does your car's radio have a CD changer option? If so, you can often buy an adaptor for it that will allow you to connect the output of the PC to the HU via the CD changer.

Although 2K1 recommends against it, I disagree. You can power a laptop from the cigarette lighter using a power adaptor you can purchase online. Most cigarette lighters can provide at least 10 amps of power (about 120 watts) and most laptops draw considerably less than that. My 17" Dell Latitude's power supply says it draws 4.5 amps at 19 volts, or 85 watts. As long as you are properly fuse at the lighter, you should be fine.

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Does your car's radio have a CD changer option? If so, you can often buy an adaptor for it that will allow you to connect the output of the PC to the HU via the CD changer.

Although 2K1 recommends against it, I disagree. You can power a laptop from the cigarette lighter using a power adaptor you can purchase online. Most cigarette lighters can provide at least 10 amps of power (about 120 watts) and most laptops draw considerably less than that. My 17" Dell Latitude's power supply says it draws 4.5 amps at 19 volts, or 85 watts. As long as you are properly fuse at the lighter, you should be fine.

One reason I recommend against it is because the sense of still having a fully usable cigarette lighter there even though half of the max current is being used already. So maybe someone gets in your car and plugs their laptop in with an inverter or something. Or maybe one day you need to charge all these various things and the cig lighter is convenient. Well then you can go into overload.

And it depends on what laptop the power usage is too. My old Compaq (I think, first laptop many moons ago) was a power monster. It had a desktop P4 in there The power brick on there was the size of a real brick you would get a mason to use on your house... So she mentioned old laptop, better safe than sorry I always say...

1. Pull radio out of Z. Sell it.

2. Install amplifier into Z. Google is your friend. Also Crutchfield.

3. Connect PC to amplifier.

Done!

The burning laptop image resurfaces! YES!