using ups

**saintvice** · 08-22-2005, 10:55 AM

is there any way of using a ups to power a pc in a car without having to buy an inverter?

**Mad Ad** · 08-22-2005, 01:13 PM

well a UPS is a big mains charged battery, so how are you going to top it up with mains if you dont have an inverter- plug it in after every journey?

ok, so your going to say 'cant i use an opus/carnetix/other 12v dc-dc supply' ... well yes, but you wont need the UPS, just instal a second car battery and a split charge circuit, same thing really.

**saintvice** · 08-23-2005, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by Mad Ad

ok, so your going to say 'cant i use an opus/carnetix/other 12v dc-dc supply' ... well yes, but you wont need the UPS, just instal a second car battery and a split charge circuit, same thing really.

well u lost me on the install second battery and a split charge circuit

**kbyrd** · 08-23-2005, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by saintvice

well u lost me on the install second battery and a split charge circuit

Ok, here's how it works. A UPS is designed to take AC in, convert it to DC, charge an internal battery with it, and run some gear (either from the battery or from the newly converted DC). You need AC input. you don't get that in the car without an inverter (an inverter converts DC to AC).

Mad Ad was suggesting that rather than buy a UPS and trying to make it work without an inverter, you buy a second battery (like the UPS has), and a charger. A split charger will take an input (from your car's electrical system) and split it to several outputs, your newly bought battery and your car PC.

Oh, search the forums for "tank circuit".