Will a Xenarc power on with just power from USB?

**Maheriano** · 06-11-2006, 12:59 AM

For fear of flamage, I posted this in the Newbie section because I think it's kind of dumb. However I did search to see if anyone else asked it.
I have a Xenarc screen and it won't turn on unless I plug it in somewhere, either to a cigarette adapter or the wall. Isn't it supposed to just run off the computer's PSU via USB? Head scratcher.

**yrean** · 06-11-2006, 01:48 AM

the usb that comes out of it is just for the touch screen. you can pull power from a usb but thats only 5v. your monitor takes 12v. I would suggest taking the cord that is meant to plug into the cigerette lighter, and wiring it into a molex connector. (the four wire connector that plugs into a hd for power) the molex has 4 wires. (5v gnd gnd 12v) look online for which wire is which.you should have an open molex coming from the ps. if not, you can get a Y adaopter to take 1 molex and make it two,.

**turbocad6** · 06-11-2006, 01:49 AM

no, the usb power provides power for the touchscreen only, the lcd & backlight assembly needs much more power than can be provided by usb, not to mention it needs 12v instead of usb's 5v..

**Maheriano** · 06-11-2006, 01:56 AM

Ya, there's loads of FAQ in the screen section, not sure why they didn't turn up in the search. Case closed. Thanks, guys!

**Maheriano** · 06-11-2006, 01:35 PM

I'm going to ground it in the dash and power it through the fuse panel via the radio slot. This'll be easier than trying to run the wire to the trunk and then somehow getting it inside the computer case.

**RedGTiVR6** · 06-13-2006, 01:16 PM

keep in mind that in running the screen directly off of the cars power you aren't getting the cleanest signal possible. This may not even be an issue for you, you'll never know till you try it out.

If you end up having lines across your screen and the image isn't all that clear, you might consider running the power off of the computer PSU. These PSUs basically filter the electricity that goes into them and spits out a much cleaner signal.

Hope this helps.

**Maheriano** · 06-13-2006, 02:27 PM

Hmmm, maybe I'll pick up a molex tonight. Thanks. I just wanted to eliminate wires running to the back of the car, I can only fit so much under the panels!

**MatrixPC** · 06-13-2006, 03:48 PM

Like Red said, you have to be carefull hook up directly to the car power cuz it is vary from 8 to 15 or more/less volts.
If the Xernac has a "regulator" like the Lilliput's Egg, it's okay to run directly from the car power (aka cig lighter/adapter). If it doesn't have a regulator, hook it to the PSU 12V rail => Yellow + and Black - on the HD molex.