Thread: m4-atx quick question

I had and 82 T/A, if you have power windows then you have the largest alternator they put in the 3rd gen F-bodies. I do believe it's rated 85 amp. (I'll be honest, I haven't had the car for 10 years and these numbers are coming from memory.)

i have a 1986 trans am v8 tpi with power mirrors and windows.

i one day want to install power driver seat

i also have fog lights

and with my fog lights on i cant remember but i tihnk my headlights dimmed slightly with them on

do alternators just die or slowly go bad?


i think either way i need to replace it/upgrade it(aftermarket???)

but would a 85 amp alt be enough to run a pc computer that needs 280watts

and the rest of my accessories which include:

stock power windows/mirrors
fog lights
small digital air/ fuel ratio gauge by cyberdyne
small digital fuel pressure gauge by cyberdyne
not installed yet but will be integrating a digital compass/temp display in upper console

audio setup:
pioneer 4x4 front speakers cheap upgrade from walmart
rear 6x9 speakers not sure what brand cheap from walmart
50 dollar cd player that replaced cassette player

im not big with the numbers but sounds like id be running into power issues with the new pc installed.

i dont have any subwoofers or audio amps in my car and never will

do they make alternators to compensate for extra accessories? they must or this site wouldnt be around for long haha

im a newbie but i know somehow people get huge!!! audio systems in their cars so im thinking theres gota be a relativley easy way to power a pc

any comments?

jsut curious but can i run the m4-atx without ignition wire connected

just because of so many problems ive read because the firmware is older and im jsut not up to going throguht trouble to buy or make a usb cable which it should come with from the company but whatever

im willing to live with just turning it on myself ill put a power button in my dash for it along with the ground kill switch

its my burden but let me worry about it

i just need a yes or no if i can run my computer with 12v and ground only with a power button

i believe yes i cant see why not but just double checking

Yup. You will need to set a jumper to put it in "dumb power supply" mode, but ya, you can manualy turn it on and off, no problems.

BTW, just so you know, the power going through the ACC wire just triggers the PSU to power up the PC. It doesnt draw anything. Its not so much power being used in the PC, its your ACC circut (whereever you tap into it) that energizes the ACC lead to the PSU, when that happens the PSU starts to draw on the 12V line. When the ACC circut goes dead (when you shut the car) the PSU sees this and initiates the shutdown procedure. So Im not sure you draw any more power with or without the ACC line connected.

But no problems running the 12V through a switch and shutting that.

The one thing you may find is that when the system hangs, if it hangs for some obscure reason and is still accessing the HD, you might be tempted to just hit the switch on the 12V line to restart. Probably not a major issue but not the best way to reset it. There will very likely be a jumper on the MB labled Reset Swtch or some such. While you are running that wire from the switch on the dash to the computer, you may want to also put a small momentary contact switch (basicaly like a doorbell) connected to the Reset swtch jumpers just to reset the system if you have to.

yea exactly

im just going to wire it to 12v from the battery with a in line fuse i bought 20-25amps

then wire it to ground on the frame or negative side of the battery

ill put a kill switch on the ground wire just to make double sure it doesnt kill my battery just humor me on that haha


then i'll wire jumper switches for the on/off and reset directly from the motherboard.

will the m4-atx automatically send power to the pc once pluged to the car with just 12v and grnd no ignition signal?

so all i need to do is press the on button to the motherboard?

i just want a very basic setup to get me on my way.

i'll fiddle with all the bells and whistles later perhaps cuz i know the power supply can do much more

i just want basic operation out of it for now

Read the manual. You can set jumpers on the M4 so it acts like a standard power supply without the auto-on feature.

i did read the manual

i know about the dip switches and have them all off for standard operation

but says nothing about what to do about teh ignition terminal

i just need to know if i need the ignition wire hooked up if i just want standard operation

i would think i just need 12v and ground but i want to be sure

thanks

Can you handle a simple answer ? OK here it comes. . .

Yes.

I understand what you are saying, and it will work, just do it

It will be fine.

haha thank you very much

thats all i wanted

haha

im sorry for being so over protective. if you saw how much work i put into my car you would understand haha

anyways i'l post pictures in the spring once everything is done

thanks again guys and im sure i'll mroe questions esp if things dont work like that should be

fingers crossed