[Hybrid]XmDirect Cable Power/serial Question.....

**camsgs3** · 10-18-2004, 01:24 PM

My 1st concern is powering this unit. What would be the best way to power this thing in the car?

2nd concern is that this thing works with a serial connection, correct??
I will be using my only serial port for my GPS.

Is there any other way around this? If not it looks like i will be spending the extra money on a XMPCR - [no extra power needed, 1 USB plug]

**frodobaggins** · 10-18-2004, 02:57 PM

just get a serial-->usb adapter.

**god_of_cpu** · 10-18-2004, 03:02 PM

You can buy the timetrax unit that is already USB.

**kingtut** · 10-18-2004, 03:03 PM

Can't get cheaper than this

for power, cigarette lighter, battery, your 12V rail on the PC PSU, get creative. It was done specifically for in car use. no adapters, no conversion. just plug & play

**camsgs3** · 10-18-2004, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by god_of_cpu

You can buy the timetrax unit that is already USB.

Thanks I forgot about that, $100 bucks for everything-incl.USB
only bad thing is that the ETA is 4-6 weeks

**camsgs3** · 10-18-2004, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by kingtut

Can't get cheaper than this

for power, cigarette lighter, battery, your 12V rail on the PC PSU, get creative. It was done specifically for in car use. no adapters, no conversion. just plug & play

"your 12V rail on the PC PSU" Might sound dumb, but what does that mean......i have no idea about powering[how they work] things especially in a car, thats another problem i face when Im set to hook up my carPC

**NOS TANG** · 10-18-2004, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by camsgs3

"your 12V rail on the PC PSU" Might sound dumb, but what does that mean......i have no idea about powering[how they work] things especially in a car, thats another problem i face when Im set to hook up my carPC

Inside your PC the power plugs that connect to your hard drives, cdrom and other devices have 12V and 5V power to them. You could make a simple plug in your PC case to connect to the XMdirect cable of your choice, connect that to the 12V +&- wires of a hard drive power plug in the PC and your done. When you boot the PC the XM unit would power up with it.