Monthly Meets - DC / VA / MD / NJ / DE / PA

**cobase** · 08-16-2007, 11:26 AM

I'll be looking for suggestions on how to keep my PC from draining my car battery... for the fifth time in two weeks! Grrrr!! Need a shutdown controller.... sigh, more money.

**kbreeden** · 08-16-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by cobase

I'll be looking for suggestions on how to keep my PC from draining my car battery... for the fifth time in two weeks! Grrrr!! Need a shutdown controller.... sigh, more money.

Yikes! You're using an inverter aren't you? Do you have a switch in the dash that you can use to shut off the inverter? That's my setup and I've only drained the battery about fifteen times over the last five years, always because I forgot to shut the thing off. A shutdown controller probably would be better but it adds more complicaton and expense. That being said, I do carry a "Jump 'N' Carry" in my trunk so I can jump the battery if I'm left stranded somewhere. Now that I think about it, for what I spent on that thing I probably could have gotten a shutdown controller and had money left over.

You can also get a battery buddy, which I did use at one time. You attach it to the car battery. It turns off all the accessories in the car when the voltage gets to a point that's dangerously low, ensuring that there's always enough left to start the car. That actually worked pretty well for me, but I stopped using it when I got a car with a theft protection system.

**iamgnat** · 08-16-2007, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by cobase

I'll be looking for suggestions on how to keep my PC from draining my car battery... for the fifth time in two weeks! Grrrr!! Need a shutdown controller.... sigh, more money.

Do you PC guys not have a PSU that will put your computer to sleep and cut all power if the battery gets below a threshold?

I ran my battery down a few times, but it was because my Alt fried and wasn't putting out enough juice to recharge it

-dave

**kbreeden** · 08-16-2007, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by iamgnat

Do you PC guys not have a PSU that will put your computer to sleep and cut all power if the battery gets below a threshold?

I ran my battery down a few times, but it was because my Alt fried and wasn't putting out enough juice to recharge it

-dave

I don't think my PSU has that feature. There are some inverters that will shut down automatically on low voltage also, which is better than a PSU shutdown. My Stinger inverter is supposed to have that feature, but I know I've drained the battery once or twice with it so it doesn't seem reliable.

**checksum** · 08-16-2007, 12:01 PM

Attendees:
W3b
SonicXtacy
Gokee2
Phatsacks
checksum
homebrew
?jiggersplat?

Bringing...
Checksum -[ Sodas, Cups, Ice. (Charcoal not needed cuz I bring along a propane gas grill now)
W3bMa5t3r -[ Burgers, dogs, Buns, Cheese, Gas/Gas Grill
Sonicxtacy02 -[ Dinnerware, Condiments
Phatsacks -[ Chips and Extras

Please copy and add your name to this list with what you are bringing as we go along

Same here, I have an inverter to power my PC speakers, and according to specs, the inverter will shut off if the battery voltage drops below 11.00V or so. Haven't had any problems so far. I am also looking to get a sutdown controller, but for now I have a main switch to cut power to everything.

I just mounted my screen last night, still need to do the back up camera, and clean up my car. Hopefully, I will have it ready by saturday for the meet.

**Willy-Mach1** · 08-16-2007, 12:02 PM

I've used the uSDC for about 2 1/2 years without any problems (paired with a Keypower 250W DC-DC PSU), it is also fairly inexpensive compared to some other ones I've seen used here.

http://store.mp3car.com/Micro_Shutdo..._p/pwr-007.htm

I hope you are able to take care of the problem soon.....

....... one of these days I'll be able to make it to a meet......... Have fun guys!

**Phatsacks** · 08-16-2007, 04:37 PM

Bringing:

Sour Cream and Onion
Nacho Cheese Doritos
Cooler Range Doritos
Cookies and or other alternative

Any special requests on chips or other unhealthy finger food?

**Phatsacks** · 08-16-2007, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Willy-Mach1

I've used the uSDC for about 2 1/2 years without any problems (paired with a Keypower 250W DC-DC PSU), it is also fairly inexpensive compared to some other ones I've seen used here.

http://store.mp3car.com/Micro_Shutdo..._p/pwr-007.htm

I hope you are able to take care of the problem soon.....

....... one of these days I'll be able to make it to a meet......... Have fun guys!

Key Power still in business? I called the number on their website, and an Asian sounding lady said that is not Key Power's number anymore.

**Willy-Mach1** · 08-16-2007, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Phatsacks

Key Power still in business? I called the number on their website, and an Asian sounding lady said that is not Key Power's number anymore.

I don't know.... I bought mine from a member of the forum, he had totaled his car before he could put the PSU in. I got lucky I guess....

**cobase** · 08-16-2007, 10:27 PM

Attendees:
W3b
SonicXtacy
Gokee2
Phatsacks
checksum
homebrew
cobase
?jiggersplat?

Bringing...
Checksum -[ Sodas, Cups, Ice. (Charcoal not needed cuz I bring along a propane gas grill now)
W3bMa5t3r -[ Burgers, dogs, Buns, Cheese, Gas/Gas Grill
Sonicxtacy02 -[ Dinnerware, Condiments
Phatsacks -[ Chips and Extras
cobase - [desserts and an ammeter... ]

Please copy and add your name to this list with what you are bringing as we go along.

To continue the thread hijack... some kind of Battery Buddy thing would be best. I leave the PC on StandBy and I figure it should be OK for a couple of days, but I've come back to find the PC running! On! Twice now! All the wake-on-LAN/wake-on-USB is off so I've no idea what's up - and this is happening since I reinstalled the OS, so it's gotta be some software glitch I think, or the inverter gets hot in the trunk and starts drawing more current to run a fan, or the battery is damaged (tested OK) now... I dunno.
Ah, I think this POWERCFG /devicequery wake_on_s3_supported is going to come in handy...