synchronization.. laptop or pc?

hi..

the main idea of my carputer is the synchronization with the webserver (fileserver with all media files) if my car is staying in front of garage, where webserver is located.

if i'm using a laptop, i just can use a power inverter connected over ignition lock and if i turn off my car, laptop still can synchronize data over wlan until its going into hibernate mode because of low battery level..

but i'd like to use a fix pc install in/behind glove compartment. but then i have to connect power direct to car battery and pc doesn't know if car is running or not. (to shut down if it's not connected to wlan or synchronization is already done)
the special power supply with shutdown-function doesn't help on this problem, because i want first check if wlan is connected and if already synchronized and then shut down.

is there a way to check if car is running? (perhaps with an external device which is getting power over ignition lock?)

i think, i don't have to start synchronization manually.. else i'll use a laptop!

thx for your posts and ideas...
dave

I have a wireless card on the carPC, and the carpc automatically launches rsync so as to synchronize the music and GPS data when

• the wireless card is in view of the wireless AP
• the time is between 2 and 6 AM

once per night

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sxpert

I have a wireless card on the carPC, and the carpc automatically launches rsync so as to synchronize the music and GPS data when

• the wireless card is in view of the wireless AP
• the time is between 2 and 6 AM

once per night

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sounds good!! :)
are you using a power inverter or a special power supply? you have to connect it directly to the car battery.. right?
but then you still have to start/shut down pc manually when you use car..?

how does your pc start in the night? with a fix bios start-up time?

using a 12V DC/DC power supply, with a second battery and PAC200 battery relay (that makes contact when engine has been running for 20 seconds.
I also have a mains input so that the carpc is powered at night which is basicly a smart battery charger...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sxpert

using a 12V DC/DC power supply, with a second battery and PAC200 battery relay (that makes contact when engine has been running for 20 seconds.
I also have a mains input so that the carpc is powered at night which is basicly a smart battery charger...

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ok.. good idea!
but then you still have the problem with startup/shutdown if you useyour car!
did you find a solution for it? or a part of it? what about a relais over ignition lock which starts your pc?

which software are you using for synchronization?

ok; Here's the thing in more details :
battery 1 is the original car battery
battery 2 is the older battery from the same car
batteries 1 and 2 are connected via a direct cable (and appropriate fuses and a relay, so that battery 2 can be charged at the same time battery 1 is when the engine is running.
battery 2 is connected to a battery charging contraption (that's where mains is plugged in)
carpc is connected to battery 2

the carpc itself is never turned off, except if battery 2 dies

as I said earlier, I use rsync for synchronization

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cotwild

hi..

the main idea of my carputer is the synchronization with the webserver (fileserver with all media files) if my car is staying in front of garage, where webserver is located.

if i'm using a laptop, i just can use a power inverter connected over ignition lock and if i turn off my car, laptop still can synchronize data over wlan until its going into hibernate mode because of low battery level..

but i'd like to use a fix pc install in/behind glove compartment. but then i have to connect power direct to car battery and pc doesn't know if car is running or not. (to shut down if it's not connected to wlan or synchronization is already done)
the special power supply with shutdown-function doesn't help on this problem, because i want first check if wlan is connected and if already synchronized and then shut down.

is there a way to check if car is running? (perhaps with an external device which is getting power over ignition lock?)

i think, i don't have to start synchronization manually.. else i'll use a laptop!

thx for your posts and ideas...
dave

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