Thread: Bench to Car (Pre-Install Questions)

Originally Posted by develguy

1. M2 Power: Can I power my M2-ATX from a distribution block that is connected to my battery (fused at the battery) via 4AWG? I currently have a 1 (4AWG) to 2 (6AWG) block but am looking to buy a 1-3. What size fuse should I use for the M2 leg? The original diagram has 30A… Is that OK?

Yes to the distro block.
30A fuse is sufficient for the M2ATX.

2. M2 to EPIA connection: I have read many posts about people toasting their M2 by hooking the j8 to motherboard jumper incorrectly/reverse polarity or something??? I can’t seem to find clear instructions on this and I do not what to toast mine. Can someone please give me input on how to connect the M2 to the motherboard correctly? I know you plug the 20pin ATX connector but what about the power-on switch pins? How do I make sure I have the polarity right?

You're not going to fry the motherboard from J8 being reversed.
You'll have to look at the motherboard manual to see which pin is + and which is ground.

Also, I want a reset –and- kill/bypass switch. I think the j9 will work for the kill/bypass, right? Is there polarity I need to be concerned with? Where do I hook up a reset switch… On the motherboard?

A PC reset switch would go to the reset switch headers on the motherboard.
As far as a "kill switch", it depends on what you want. If you want a valet switch type of arrangement, then a switch on the IGN line will work well.

3. M2 remote wire: My current setup has a remote wire running from the head unit/harness to my amps. Can I just re-route this wire to the M2 instead then out to both amps? What about the RMT GND pin on the M2? Send it to the chassis? Or is it even necessary?

This is one I can't answer.
Your arrangement for + to the amp and gnd to the chassis sounds correct, but I have no experience with an M2, so I'm going to state honestly that I do not know for certain.
I'm sure someone else can answer this one for you.

4. Power management settings: What are the preferred settings for the M2 j10 jumpers combined with winXP power (hibernate, shut down, etc)? My main concern is running down my battery by not knowing what the hell I’m doing? Boot-up time is obviously important too.

If you're going to hibernate, you'll need to set the jumpers to allow some time for the PC to enter hibernation mode before the M2ATX kills power. It's usually under a minute, but with 1GB RAM you might want to allow more time.

5. Lilliput Power: I have read that the best way to power the monitor is from the M2 which I plan to do by cutting off the cig adapter. Should I leave the inline filter on the adapter cable or cut it off too?

It's not a filter. It's a regulator for 12v. Leave it in place, as the Liliput requires regulated 12v power.
Another option is to tap a HDD connector from the M2ATX to power the LCD. Yellow is 12v and it will b regulated. This would have the Liliput powered on with the PC.

Also, to connect it to the M2, can I just wire the cut adapter cable to a molex plug so I can easily plug it into the M2?

Yup.

Originally Posted by develguy

Thanks a bunch DarquePervert!



You said "if you are going to hibernate". Is there a better way?

Some prefer a cold boot each time. It's certainly slower than hibernation.

OK, at the risk of sounding like an idiot, if I hibernate: I set XP to hibernate and set the M2 jumper to allow for enough time for XP to finishing hibernating. The ignition switch does all of the work. I'm hoping the recommended P1 jumper setting on the M2 will work. From the manual:

You're correct.