Future Carputer Nerd - Just getting started

**voidunknown** · 08-23-2004, 01:34 PM

Alright, So I just started browsing the forums yesterday and love the idea of a carputer. However like everyone else I have a few question. I do computers/laptops all the time (for a living) so, this shouldnt be hard for me to grasp at all.

The only real question I have is about power supplies. I read that a lot of people like the Opus PSU's. Are there any other brands that compare? Does anyone else have the smart timed shutdown feature like Opus?

Also, does the DC-DC PSU connect to a power supply? Or is it used as THE power supply? Will it mount in a standard ITX or ATX case?

What are some minimal carputer specs? I saw that a lot of people recommend the VIA board with the onboard 1GHz cpu because it is low power.

This will be going in my 97 Chevy Truck. Has anyone installed an LCD in this vehicle before? If so, where did you mount the LCD? Is there a shop online where I can buy an LCD mount kit? My current Idea was to see if I could get a mounting kit that just plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. It doesn't have to pull power from there. This way i wouldnt have to drill any holes. Hard to explain I guess.

Thoughts, hints, suggestions and guides are always more than welcome. Thanks in advance!

**antimatter** · 08-23-2004, 01:44 PM

Wecome. All the info is here. Learn to use the search function.

Save yourself some trouble and get an Opus

**VanMan69** · 08-23-2004, 02:01 PM

I don't think there are any screen mounting kits out there.

As far as specs for the computer, I think there are folks running as low as Pentium 166... all depends on what you plan to do with it. MP3s don't require a lot of power. I just happened to have a 1GHz processor from a busted laptop on hand.

And the Opus is THE power supply... wires right to the battery (or accessory line, or whatever you choose). I don't have one myself, but I think it's got connections for the battery and for accessory (to power on/off), like a car stereo.

**voidunknown** · 08-23-2004, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by VanMan69

I don't think there are any screen mounting kits out there.

As far as specs for the computer, I think there are folks running as low as Pentium 166... all depends on what you plan to do with it. MP3s don't require a lot of power. I just happened to have a 1GHz processor from a busted laptop on hand.

And the Opus is THE power supply... wires right to the battery (or accessory line, or whatever you choose). I don't have one myself, but I think it's got connections for the battery and for accessory (to power on/off), like a car stereo.

Alright, thanks for the help. But does/will the Opus mount in an ITX/ATX case?

**savante** · 08-23-2004, 02:31 PM

Generally out of the box, no. You can get one for shuttle flex-atx (150W) cases that will mount directly. Otherwise it would just take some modification to get them mounted.

Edit: Here is the product I meant.

**Confused** · 08-23-2004, 02:33 PM

The Opus is a complete DC-DC PSU. It is the best thing to get if you require lots of power and aren't restricted by space.

However, if you are getting yourself a VIA Mini-ITX board and a small form factor Mini-ITX case with a DC-DC power supply inside (like the Morex range, or the Travla C134 single-din case), then the option for you is the Carnetix CNX-P1260. It is designed for the power supply in these cases, and provides all the features that the Opus does, survives cranking, fully regulated power, start-up and shut-down controller

Depending on your requirements of CPU power and case size, the Opus or Carnetix are what you want.

Low power low profile = Carnetix + built in PSU
Higher power bigger profile = Opus 90/150

Garry

**voidunknown** · 08-23-2004, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Confused

The Opus is a complete DC-DC PSU. It is the best thing to get if you require lots of power and aren't restricted by space.

However, if you are getting yourself a VIA Mini-ITX board and a small form factor Mini-ITX case with a DC-DC power supply inside (like the Morex range, or the Travla C134 single-din case), then the option for you is the Carnetix CNX-P1260. It is designed for the power supply in these cases, and provides all the features that the Opus does, survives cranking, fully regulated power, start-up and shut-down controller

Depending on your requirements of CPU power and case size, the Opus or Carnetix are what you want.

Low power low profile = Carnetix + built in PSU
Higher power bigger profile = Opus 90/150

Garry

That looks great. Thanks for the help. Anyone else have experience with these PSU's? Are they any good?

**Confused** · 08-23-2004, 03:00 PM

I've got both.

Both are equally awesome

I've got one mATX system with desktop hdd and cd drive and 2 monitors etc hooked up to the Opus, and one Mini-ITX 800mhz with a laptop cdrom and 1 display to the Carnetix.

Both have been working without a hitch for months, and both survive cranking, which is brilliant

Garry