What do you think of my power system?

**TheRevoltingX** · 12-01-2005, 04:49 AM

Well, I'm new to the whole car pc thing, but I know a little about computers, and a little about cars, and a little about electronics, and I don't have a lot of cash. Now let me explain, I will have a killswitch in the dash so that nothing external drains the battery when I get out of the car.
The computer will stay on until I turn it off, that means that if I just get out for a few minutes I don't have to reboot the computer.
I will also have a soft power button in the dash so I can start the computer when I get in the car, or I can turn it off by pressing it. (windows reacts to this)

I'm trying to keep everything simple since I have an old car, and just when I'm planning this my clutch went out. Anyway, it's very basic, any problems at all?

**ODYSSEY** · 12-01-2005, 04:59 AM

Some inverters don't survive crank without a tank circuit. Otherwise your simple setup should be fine. You could go DC-DC.

**BIzFlawless** · 12-01-2005, 09:33 AM

**TheRevoltingX** · 12-01-2005, 03:55 PM

So if I get a power inverter that survives crank I could be fine? What should I look for then?
Should I spend money on a good inverter or adding a tank circuit or putting in a opus psu?

Which one would be the cheapest/best for the long run?

**MatrixPC** · 12-01-2005, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by TheRevoltingX

Which one would be the cheapest/best for the long run?

Either Opus 150W or DSATX 220W.

**billmee** · 12-02-2005, 06:32 AM

Have you thought about a second battery?
I am using sealed lead acid batt in the trunk to keep things going after I shut down the car. I get 90-120 minutes to transfer podcasts or what ever.

I'm using an inverter ( $40 from overstock.com ) and found a couple advantages to a dc-dc.
1) cheap and easy to find
2) audible alarm if batt voltage goes down to 9.5v
3) built in power switch
4) blows up my aerobed when camping

**TheRevoltingX** · 12-02-2005, 02:08 PM

Yeah I have thought about that, how big will this second battery need to be?
What I think I'll do is leave it like it is without a tank circuit and add one later when I have some more money.
I'm just going to make a it a bit modular.
How much would putting in a second battery run me?

**billmee** · 12-02-2005, 09:14 PM

$40 from a local electonic surplus shop.
It is a Zeus 7.2ah, lots on ebay right now.

You must Isolate this battery if you need advice I'll post my circuit.
So far I have a few months without problems.

**billmee** · 12-02-2005, 09:15 PM

oh yeah,
my pc draws 6-7 amps.

**TheRevoltingX** · 12-03-2005, 03:13 AM

Thanks, I'll see if I need the tank circuit, the inverter I got claims to survive crank.
I have one question right now though. I need to get a 4 gauge wire to run directly to the battery, but since I need to run it through a switch that only take a smaller wire, how do I go ahead and convert it? I don't know much about the linguo.