Newbie to carpc!

**joe_c** · 12-07-2006, 01:18 AM

Hello members,

I am trying to install my pc so far everthing is wired but no connection yet
i have the M2ATX psu and the manual indicates that the yellow wire shoud be hooked to the ignition wire and the red to the 12 volt power,I have a 2005nissan armada without nav so i'm doing pretty much everything from screen to wires to pc,I need to know what color is the ignition wire on this suv and where is the best place to get a 12 volt constant to feed the pc.Also
what do they mean when they say switchable power and would it be a good feed the cigarett lighter wires,any help would be really great as far as i know
this site is the known for CarPC expert,appreciate any help given THANKS!

**2k1Toaster** · 12-07-2006, 01:37 AM

to get 12v constant, run directly from battery.

For switched, it is different for ever car. You will need to google it.

DO NOT wire the PC through the cigarette lighter. Bad Idea.

**joe_c** · 12-07-2006, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

to get 12v constant, run directly from battery.

For switched, it is different for ever car. You will need to google it.

DO NOT wire the PC through the cigarette lighter. Bad Idea.

Thanks for the tip,but i still don't understand the meaning of switched
and no cigarette lighter.Is there any other way to get the 12 volts from the dash without running wires from battery ( like shortcuts) through the dash and do you really need that ignition tap for the M2atx psu since you already have a 12 vlt going to it.Thanks

**2k1Toaster** · 12-07-2006, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by joe_c

Thanks for the tip,but i still don't understand the meaning of switched
and no cigarette lighter.Is there any other way to get the 12 volts from the dash without running wires from battery ( like shortcuts) through the dash and do you really need that ignition tap for the M2atx psu since you already have a 12 vlt going to it.Thanks

You really need to read the FAQ's.

There is no other SAFE way to get a 12v line other than from the battery. You WILL have to run a cable.

The M2 is a "smart" PSU. When the car turns on (i.e. The switched line turs on to 12v), the M2 turns on. When the car turns off, the compute rturns off. So how will the M2 know when the car goes on and off if there is no switched wire!

**SentraVIP** · 12-07-2006, 04:02 AM

Unless you've got an audio amp in your car, then you'll just need to have a distro block and split the wire from there...

**joe_c** · 12-07-2006, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

You really need to read the FAQ's.

There is no other SAFE way to get a 12v line other than from the battery. You WILL have to run a cable.

The M2 is a "smart" PSU. When the car turns on (i.e. The switched line turs on to 12v), the M2 turns on. When the car turns off, the compute rturns off. So how will the M2 know when the car goes on and off if there is no switched wire!

Thanks for the info greatly appreciated,now i got to figure a way to run a cable from the batt,is there gauge wire should use from the batt? and can i get the switched wire from the fuse box? U guys rock thanks!!!

**Wiredwrx** · 12-07-2006, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by joe_c

Thanks for the info greatly appreciated,now i got to figure a way to run a cable from the batt,is there gauge wire should use from the batt? and can i get the switched wire from the fuse box? U guys rock thanks!!!

Read the FAQs.

Michael

Here you go

FAQ: Connecting your Car PC's Power and Speakers

FAQ: How to Wire an OPUS PSU

**2k1Toaster** · 12-07-2006, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by joe_c

Thanks for the info greatly appreciated,now i got to figure a way to run a cable from the batt,is there gauge wire should use from the batt? and can i get the switched wire from the fuse box? U guys rock thanks!!!

Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Read the FAQs.

Michael

Here you go

FAQ: Connecting your Car PC's Power and Speakers

FAQ: How to Wire an OPUS PSU

and

Well just to spoonfeed a bit:

Here is a handy dandy chart for seeing the current that can be carried through a wire with a certain guauge.

I reccommend using 4 guage wire for the computer. You will also need a wire for your amp. So instead of running 2 wires, use the reccommend size wire for both your amp and your computer at the max current that will be drawn. Then run that to a distribution block. From there you run a wire to the computer and to your amp. So 1 wire from battery to distro block, and 1 wire from distro to each of the accessories (amp/cpu/monitor)