Pagine WarDriver (or any other experts)...

**Noob_A4_Life** · 09-20-2007, 01:39 PM

Hey all,

I'm using a Toshiba Portege R100 for my CarPC setup.. small, light, silent.... The laptop is in perfect working order, and I want to keep it that way.

I'm in the process of using WarDriver's remote laptop power on switch, and should have that done tonight.. Sweet setup!

My question is for the actual power to the laptop. I'm little bit of a noob here, but I have the ACC wire feeding my aftermarket stero headunit and my LCD Touchscreen display in my center console. I was thinking, since I have an extra AC adapter for my laptop (AC adapter is 75 watt, 15V and 5A), could I strip down the adapter plug wire that goes from my laptop to the AC converter box, and wire it to my ACC wire as well? That way, the laptop would get it's power when the vehicle is either started or in ACC mode, and with the WarDriver's remote power on swith, I can power on and shutdown the laptop as I need...

I prefer not to use an inverter...

Feel free to flame on my noobiness, but pertinent advice is also appreciated ! =)

Cheers!

**DodgeCummins** · 09-20-2007, 09:14 PM

...

So you want to plug your laptop directly into the 12v your car uses?

Your AC adapter apparently outputs 15v...your car outputs about 12-13v...therefore your laptop's battery will be doing all the work. (it will probably assume it isn't plugged in.)

You either need to get an automotive (travel) adapter for your laptop...or use the inverter.

**Noob_A4_Life** · 09-21-2007, 07:02 AM

Yeah, that's what I suspected...

Although a car battery can provide between 12V-14V, I would be better off to ensure the proper power is sent to the laptop. I have 2 batteries for the laptop that can make the thing last for about 5.5 hours (idle-small load), but to charge whenever it's not in use and powered off, I bought this car charger thing instead of using an inverter...

Input power is rated to 10-15V DC, and output power is rated to 15V up to 60W / 4A maximum. This should be fine... Now I only have to decide if I want to hack it up to connect it directly to the 12V ACC / CONTINUOUS feed from my center console, wire it directly behind my cigarette lighter switch or simply use the cigarette lighter plug attached to it...

Any advice on that one ?

**DodgeCummins** · 09-22-2007, 09:01 AM

Or install another cigarette lighter socket just for that auto adapter (that is what I did).

**WarDriver** · 09-23-2007, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by DodgeCummins

Or install another cigarette lighter socket just for that auto adapter (that is what I did).

Thats my vote too...plus if you ran your own you could use bigger wire that what is used behind most stock sockets.

**Noob_A4_Life** · 09-23-2007, 07:50 PM

Thanks for the info guys...

So no love for wiring that adapter directly to my stereo adapter wires (ACC, +12DC and ground) which feeds my headunit and LCD, huh?

That's cool.. I'll check into installing a 2nd deathstick lighter socket. Do you guys know of any writeups to guide a noob ? If not, no worries...

**WarDriver** · 09-23-2007, 08:07 PM

If you are looking to power it on with those other devices try using a relay.

Otherwise for a simple install you can wire your "death stick" with the 12+ from the battery (use an inline fuse close to the battery) , grab a ground close to where you install it and put a switch in the dash to turn it off and on. All parts on on the shelf at autozone, advance auto parts, PepBoys, Wal-Mart ect...