cd/dvd drive enclosure 12v source?

**sk8rjess** · 05-30-2009, 10:40 AM

i know it runs off usb, but it is ran off a usb hub in my car, so its not getting enough juice. now, i thought i could just wire a standard connector to it and plug it into the usb hub, but i burnt through one of the mp3car enclosures already(could have been bad wiring too)

so is that not possible? it doesnt make sense for it not to be

**bratnetwork** · 05-30-2009, 10:56 AM

I believe that you are referring to this enclosure: http://store.mp3car.com/Ultra_Slim_E..._p/com-002.htm Correct?

I don't have the enclosure but I do have one of those adapter circuit boards that converts it to USB. The amount of power consumption is all a matter of what drive you are using. I'm using a Pioneer DVD+/-RW drive with mine and I can run it off the USB cable only if I'm just using it to read and do basic stuff. If I want to burn with it I need to attach the auxiliary power cable.

The guy I bought it from said that you can just tie that power port into a second USB port, but I didn't like that idea. I picked up an Opus DCL11 Point of Load power supplies and used that to power that drive and it works great. And yes that power port is for regulated 5 volts, not 12.

**sk8rjess** · 05-30-2009, 11:05 AM

AHHH regulated 5v! thats why it fried.
stupid me.
well ive got my bluetooth, and touch screen running off of it and its already using a 6-10ft usb extesnsion(i forget) so its not getting enough power.
heh i could also just power the usb hub as well.

**bratnetwork** · 05-30-2009, 02:50 PM

Get one of the DCL11 PSUs and use it to power the USB hub and the drive power port all at once.

**sk8rjess** · 05-30-2009, 03:41 PM

well im not looking to spend anymore money on this carpc, as im selling the car within the next few weeks. i'll figure something out later tonight when ive got some time to take a look at the hub specifications

**bratnetwork** · 05-30-2009, 04:35 PM

I know this isnt "not spending anymore money" but its close.

You could pick up a cheap 5v regulator from radio shack and use that to just power the power port on the CD drive. They are good up to 1 amp power draw.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062599

**sk8rjess** · 05-30-2009, 04:52 PM

duh, i didnt even think about that. ive got about 3 electronic kits and 2 micro controller kits at home, i can def use the 5v regulator out of there. ha! thanks for the idea(or possibly common sense)

**Woofnstuff** · 05-30-2009, 06:54 PM

take a wire(s) out of your car pc' PSU from the 5V and run it to the hub

**sk8rjess** · 05-30-2009, 11:24 PM

nah, my car pc is in my trunk it would be too long of a wire. ill just use the regulator, it would be a heck of alot faster and easier

**SuperJ** · 05-31-2009, 07:18 PM

My pc was in my trunk and powered a DVD drive all the way in the dash. The trick is to make your own USB cable. The wires in usb cables are pathetically small and by simply using a larger gauge wire you'll eliminate your power problems. I powered my hub off of USB power adapter running from the PC and increased the wire gauge on that as well. Cut a USB cable in half and you'll see what I mean. That's also why not all USB cables work at their maximum length.