DC-DC Car Power for Mac Mini

**NiN^_^NiN** · 02-08-2005, 04:53 PM

MikeH: Bad news my friend it seems that everyone i've spoken to hasn't seen that type of adapter and can't find it from any of their contacts either

It looks like there is a possibility that apple had it cutom made altho i think thats pushing it it's probably a korean or chinese design which isn't sold to many places.

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your inquiry to Mouser Electronics. We are unable to
supply or locate recommend on a replacement connector for the one you
are requesting.

They even asked all their contacts for me but still no luck

I'm fresh out of ideas of where to get it from

Sorry MikeH

**Lake** · 02-08-2005, 06:42 PM

That's a pretty good idea actually. I'll go play with the iMac later (I hate to sleep/reboot this machine) making an AppleScript to 'wake in 10 minutes + shutdown'.

~Lake

**Lake** · 02-08-2005, 07:27 PM

I didn't immediately see how to script setting a specific startup time, but I did come across something that looks handy in general. http://www.ibeezz.com/en/

~Lake

**MikeH** · 02-08-2005, 09:15 PM

Bad news my friend it seems that everyone i've spoken to hasn't seen that type of adapter and can't find it from any of their contacts either

That's OK. I think we're going with the recommendation to cut the power cable as the initial approach. I'll post pictures on the way to do this later next week. I think we're not going to find a source for this power connector.

Thanks for checking.

**NiN^_^NiN** · 02-08-2005, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by MikeH

THat's OK. I think we're going with the recommendation to cut the power cable as the initial approach. I'll post pictures on the way to do this later next week. I thing we're not going to find a source for this power connector.

Thanks for checking.

Well maybe you could get people to send in there Mac PSU and what you can do is cut the cord then add a ps2 connector on to both ends so you can plugin the DC DC Adapter and also they can bring it inside and plug in the orignal mac psu

Thats if you want to be getting mac psu's from people tho.

But it's a good solution for setting it up inside and outside if needed

**Bugbyte** · 02-08-2005, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Lake

I didn't immediately see how to script setting a specific startup time, but I did come across something that looks handy in general. http://www.ibeezz.com/en/

~Lake

That works! Good find!

**agentofchange** · 02-09-2005, 10:16 AM

A cheap UPS can provide this kind of functionality. When you hook up a UPS to a PC/Mac you get to make a few decisions like what happens in the event of a power failure.

You can set the UPS up to turn the machine off x minutes after power failure. I would think 10 min would do nicely (so if you stop at 7/11 to pick up a drink it won't shutdown).

As far as startup goes, you could hook up a relay to one of these USB power on buttons which are $15 (or hack the one on your mac):

http://www.welovemacs.com/usb-key-bt.html

The on button acts just like the ones on the older keyboards that shipped with G4 450's and the iMacs of the time)

Of course some of the downsides to this setup is you need to:
1. Mount a UPS in your car (some are quite small though)
2. Get a power inverter.

**TxMazda3** · 02-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by MikeH

THat's OK. I think we're going with the recommendation to cut the power cable as the initial approach. I'll post pictures on the way to do this later next week. I thing we're not going to find a source for this power connector.

Thanks for checking.

Does this mean .... we're close to a launch? Our struggle for power might soon be taken care of?? That the day of the Mac mini driven carputer has come? does this mean that we can eat popcorn again? oh sweet pop tarts from the toaster- this is good news ... or i could be reading into this too much .... if so then I'll blame this on forgeting the meds again ....

peace
Michael

**kandyman676** · 02-09-2005, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by agentofchange

A cheap UPS can provide this kind of functionality. When you hook up a UPS to a PC/Mac you get to make a few decisions like what happens in the event of a power failure.

I agree, but when you have a UPS, unless you have a DC one that is cheap (i've never seen one as such for a computer to control, so point in the right direction), then you will also need an invertor...which most of the time produces static over your sound.

This is why (again) I am leaning toward a Powerbook in the car, like i did with a Dell laptop. The other reason for the Powerbook is so i can have free mobile internet (from my work footing the bill...) with celluar broadband access:-)

**TxMazda3** · 02-09-2005, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by kandyman676

I agree, but when you have a UPS, unless you have a DC one that is cheap (i've never seen one as such for a computer to control, so point in the right direction), then you will also need an invertor...which most of the time produces static over your sound.

I was in best buy yesterday and saw a Monster power inverter that claimed to help fight the static noise and came with all hardware needed to hardwire it to your battery .... Monster is a pretty good brand (as far as their audio cables go I believe)

Peace

Michael