I have searched for Carnetix P1900/P2140 and laptop (didn't find much) and read a bunch of the power laptop threads, but I'm still a bit confused about this.
Basically, I have a laptop (IBM T40) and I want to power it in my car with a Carnetix P1900 or P2140. How do I wire something like this? Does the Carnetix act as the power supply? So do I just solder the ends of the Carnetix directly into the laptop and bypass the built in power supply? Or does the Carnetix work like the AC/DC adapter and I have to hack up my AC/DC adapter cable and cut the DC plug off and wire it up to the carnetix and just plug it in? If I do it this way, how does it know when to auto on and off? Is that a seperate connection the Carnetix has that I solder to the on/off button?
Edit: After reading the responses, I just checked and my AC/DC adapter says 16V @ 4.5A. The P1900 can only do 18/19/20 and the P2140 can only do 12/18.5/20. Can I still use the Carnetix?
the carnetix will be the power supply, you can get another plug for your laptop, just the tip, radioshack like $4 or so, the original ac adaptor is not used in the install unless you choose to cut the plug off of that instead of buying a plug.
you will need to solder wires to your power switch to have the carnetix start & shutdown.
MY NEWEST INSTALL:modded infiniti fx with big screen
first windows carpc install........my liquid cooled LVDS screen :D
Yes, the Carnetix acts as the power supply. It would basically replace the power brick AC adapter.
Now, you need to look at your existing power brick. On it, there should be a label. On that label, there should be an output voltage. What is that output voltage (or voltages, if there are multiple voltages listed). That will determine whehter the Carnetix will power your laptop.
Also, if you want the Carnetix to power the laptop on/off with the ignition, you can wire up the power button of the laptop to the Carnetix. Some don't want to take their laptop apart, however.
It sounds like you have the general idea as to how the Carnetix works.
I think the ibm's are 19v... there are docks available for them too if you don't want to open the unit, the power switch on the dock can be modded instead...
MY NEWEST INSTALL:modded infiniti fx with big screen
first windows carpc install........my liquid cooled LVDS screen :D
In that case, if I see a AC/DC Combo adapter for my laptop where 1 end plugs into the laptop and the other end plugs into the car cigarette adapter (thus getting rid of a power invertor). Is there a way to hard wire this into my car so I don't have to use the cigarette adapter? I'm assuming that cigarette adapter can just be cut off and splice the wires into a fused 12v directly to my battery and a ground/chassis right?
yeah, you can cut the plug off, then check which of the 2 wires are connected to the center lug on the cig adaptor(should be center wire), that will be positive... make sure you do something to always be able to identify the positive, then connect away... instead of the carnetix you can then just use a simple startup shutdown controller to control the supply & the startup/ shutdown.
MY NEWEST INSTALL:modded infiniti fx with big screen
first windows carpc install........my liquid cooled LVDS screen :D
yes you can. i have the thinkpad x24 with also the 16V adapter. like you, i wasnt sure if it would work.. but i put my P1900 on the 18V setting and it works like a champ. been using it for over a year with no problems.Originally Posted by l00kster
thinkpads are tanks
only problem i still have is trying to figure out how to get to the power switch for the remote power on thru the carnetix. that switch on the thinkpad is near impossible to hack into
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