Shameless DC-DC thread of questions

**SillyClown** · 09-25-2002, 11:54 AM

I did a search but there are just WAY too many threads to try and look through.

My questions:

What is it and how does it work?

Ok so maybe that was too general. I do understand that you can power the computer thru a normal ATX psu and an inverter. This was the route I was planning on going but I hear sooo much of the DC-DC action that I want to get in on it.

The only real question is how do you implement this into your system? Do I just wire the accessory line directly into the PSU? So it's getting direct power from the car and not thru the inverter.

Also the wattage always seems so low. I see a connector for the mobo and perhaps one other power connector for just one other device (the hard drive). Why only one connector? what if you need to power a DVD/CD-ROM drive? Or you want to provide 5V or 12V to your LCD/Controller/etc...how do you do this when the PSU only provides one power connector?

My system will be a Shuttle FV25 with a Cel P3
20GB laptop drive
256 SDRAM
DVD drive
Sharp 10.4" LCD with Datalux controller

How do I power the DVD drive and the LCD with the DC-DC? Even if the DC-DC provided 2 power connectors that wouldn't be enough to assist on powering the controller for the LCD.

Let me know what my best option would be!

Thanks
clown

**jol** · 09-25-2002, 12:45 PM

the inverter you are talking about takes 12v dc, makes it into 230v ac(or 110), and the psu converts it into 12,5,3 and all the voltages a pc uses.

a DC-DC supply takes the 12vdc and converts direcly.

dc-ac (inverter)
ac-dc (psu)
dc-dc (good!

Originally posted by SillyClown
I did a search but there are just WAY too many threads to try and look through.

My questions:

What is it and how does it work?

Ok so maybe that was too general. I do understand that you can power the computer thru a normal ATX psu and an inverter. This was the route I was planning on going but I hear sooo much of the DC-DC action that I want to get in on it.

The only real question is how do you implement this into your system? Do I just wire the accessory line directly into the PSU? So it's getting direct power from the car and not thru the inverter.

Also the wattage always seems so low. I see a connector for the mobo and perhaps one other power connector for just one other device (the hard drive). Why only one connector? what if you need to power a DVD/CD-ROM drive? Or you want to provide 5V or 12V to your LCD/Controller/etc...how do you do this when the PSU only provides one power connector?

My system will be a Shuttle FV25 with a Cel P3
20GB laptop drive
256 SDRAM
DVD drive
Sharp 10.4" LCD with Datalux controller

How do I power the DVD drive and the LCD with the DC-DC? Even if the DC-DC provided 2 power connectors that wouldn't be enough to assist on powering the controller for the LCD.

Let me know what my best option would be!

Thanks
clown

**SillyClown** · 09-25-2002, 01:18 PM

thanks jol...i understand that much...but what about the other questions. I would love to purchase the MPBS1 DC-DC but I don't think the wattage it puts out will be enough to power the Celeron CPU I want to purchase. Anyone have anymore suggestions?

**Skippman** · 09-25-2002, 01:37 PM

Hmm... my first instinct is to close this thread. These questions HAVE been answered and you yourself stated

I did a search but there are just WAY too many threads to try and look through.

which to me speaks of laziness. But I'm trying not to be judgemental this week.

Anyone wanna field this one, it's outside my AOE.

**SillyClown** · 09-25-2002, 01:39 PM

wait a second....i searched and came up with 10+ pages of threads that were not a 'general questions' about DC-DC. Sorry if this is a nag for someone to answer. Close it down and I will seek help elsewhere....

**jol** · 09-25-2002, 01:57 PM

ask the creator of the psu, and search for "will this power" without the ""

**SillyClown** · 09-25-2002, 05:18 PM

thanks for the reply jol....i understand that the MPBS1 only supports a CPU that can draw up to 25 watts...i think I might end up going with the Opus solutions psu. 150watts sounds perfect and the options on that sounds like it would work perfect for my project.

**AVGeek** · 09-25-2002, 05:31 PM

Given how often these question come up, we could really use a FAQ.

The biggest reason behind using a DC-DC converter is efficiency. Standard power supplies take mains voltage (whatever that may be in your part of the world) and down convert and rectify it to DC, usually 12v, 5v, 3.3v, -12v and -5v (depending on the motherboard/system requirements).

DC-DC converters do not garner as much demand as conventional PS, which translates into higher prices.

All electronic devices (either on the units themselves or in the accompanying literature) will state power draw. To determine total system power requirements, simply add up all the devices you want to power. (Just make sure that the voltage required is the same for all of the devices i.e. the LCD/Controller combo may require a voltage other than 12VDC). You may require two power supplies (one for the PC and one for LCD)

**SillyClown** · 09-25-2002, 05:38 PM

That post cleared up absolutely everything. Thanks AVGeek I really do appreciate it. I was going to mention in my first post for someone to direct me to a FAQ if there was one but I forgot to include that...my bad. A FAQ would be a great idea though.