power for the Lilliput

**Paradigm_Guy** · 01-03-2005, 05:12 PM

How do you all power your displays? I don't want to run it to my cigarette lighter. I don't smoke, l I just don't think it would look good. Can I cut off the end of the cigarette lighter adapter and run it to a 12V source?
I plan to have a switch for power to my carputer, so if it's not a problem having a switch for the monitor as well; I'll run them to the same switch.

**n8scstm** · 01-03-2005, 05:21 PM

Yes thats what I do. Just cut it off and run it to a hot wire or a switched ignition source. And ground the other end.

What will the switch for your computer shut off? Do you have an Opus or something? As long as whatever you are switching with the switch is 12 volts then yes, you can use the same switch. If there different voltages, you'll have to use a 2 relays and a switch to control the 2 different voltages.

**Paradigm_Guy** · 01-03-2005, 05:29 PM

The switch will be dedicated for just the carputer, using a cartnetix unit. I'll either tap the power from the cigarette lighter or run it from the terminal. I just noticed though that the adapter is a 12v adapter. Do I even need the egg or can I just run power to it?

**n8scstm** · 01-03-2005, 05:43 PM

I've heard that the egg regulates the power. But they also say that it causes problems. I have a dedicated battery for the carputer so I wont need a regulator but if you don't you may need the regulator for power surges such as when you turn on your headlights. Anyone else?

**Paradigm_Guy** · 01-03-2005, 05:47 PM

Yeah, it seems to be a regulator. I guess I'll keep the egg.

**Skeeter** · 01-03-2005, 06:05 PM

If you don't have another regulator between the lilli it will fry eventually, when you start your engine you will be putting ~14.8V on your lilli instead of 12. Soon your lcd backlight will be smokin..(this is why the lights get brighter after you started the engine)
The egg on the lilli is of very poor quality. It makes a buzz on your audioset. And a very small chance it dies an takes the lilli with it.

So put in a dedicated battery/ connect the lilli without egg to the psu /or just leave it as it is.

**Paradigm_Guy** · 01-03-2005, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Skeeter

If you don't have another regulator between the lilli it will fry eventually, when you start your engine you will be putting ~14.8V on your lilli instead of 12. Soon your lcd backlight will be smokin..(this is why the lights get brighter after you started the engine)
The egg on the lilli is of very poor quality. It makes a buzz on your audioset. And a very small chance it dies an takes the lilli with it.

So put in a dedicated battery/ connect the lilli without egg to the psu /or just leave it as it is.

OK, would this regulator work?

There's a constant noise from the egg, it bothers me.

**davem** · 01-03-2005, 09:15 PM

Granted I am aware of some of some of the shody-work Lilliput has done putting together their 7" touchscreens... but I have my LCD hooked directly to the "egg" which is hard-wired to constant power.

Then my computer turns on and wakes it from stand-by. There is NO 'hum' from it and I'm sure it might not be the best regulator but a regulator is pretty much a regulator and I'm sure if you "crack the egg" open you'd see a regulator much similar to the one pictured above. So I think it's fine to do this.

Here's a question though... has anyone ever hooked an ammeter up to the lilliput to see how much current it draws in standby mode? I'm sure it's just a few milliamps which is fine... anyone know for sure?

**Peoples** · 01-03-2005, 09:16 PM

i dont understand why the lcd wouldnt have that built into the pcb

**TruckinMP3** · 01-03-2005, 09:30 PM

What power supply are you using?
Can it handle the draw of the screen?

If it can handle the draw and has a regulated 12v rail you can cut up a PC molex connector from a PC fan and use it to connect the LCD power to the PC PS (yellow and Black wires for 12v)

I do this for my 14 inch LCD it works great. The LCD turns on/off with the PS.