can I hook this up safely ?

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12-09-2003, 10:15 AM
E-nigma

can I hook this up safely ?

Hi,

Here's a layout of my setup.

Morex 2688 Case
Epia V Mobo
512 SD-Ram
Combo Slimdrive DVD/CD-R
120gig hd
Riser card
GF2MX400 64MB PCI
Alpine Screen.
USB Gps Module
Ati Remote wonder
Sharkoon Luminated micro keyboard.

Everything works okay, but yesterday someone told me if I hook this up directly to the car battery (12v), It will fry my mobo. The Morex power supply can handle up to 4.5Amps.

Now I'm afraid to hook it up, are there people with the same setup that can help me out? Can I hook it up or do I need another part between the car battery and the morex case ?

Spanx in advance,

E-nigma

n00b at carputers :D
12-09-2003, 10:20 AM
hijinks21

i'd get a 12v regulator in front of the PSU before you hook it up. Also if the PSU can handle 4.5amps get a inline fuse also
12-09-2003, 10:35 AM
MeanGT

Apparently the power supply will draw about 4.5 amps. A car battery puts out hundreds of amps, but a common misconception is that those figures have to match. That is not the case, the power supply will ONLY draw the amperage that it needs from the battery. it could be hooked up to a 10,000 amp battery, and it would still only use 4.5 amps. The only worry would be the fact that a car's 12v is not true 12 volts, it varies anywhere from 8 to 14+ volts, which can damage a power supply designed for exactly 12 volts. That is why Hijinks recommended a voltage regulator, to keep the voltage at 12 volts.

Most likely hooking it up to your car battery will not hurt it, as long as the engine isn't running. Do a search of these forums for 12v regulator or similar and you will find out all kinds of info,,

My 2 cents :)
12-09-2003, 10:41 AM
hijinks21

and the fuse is there in case you have a short and you don't want those 100's of amps toasting your system. The fuse will trip before it even gets to the PSU.. saving you a lot of $$$$
12-09-2003, 11:31 AM
MeanGT

Quote:

Originally Posted by hijinks21

and the fuse is there in case you have a short and you don't want those 100's of amps toasting your system. The fuse will trip before it even gets to the PSU.. saving you a lot of $$$$

Right :) Fuses are very good!! they save equipment and prevent fires.