Power setup questions? Will it work? Know a better way?

**tom2112** · 04-18-2004, 09:10 AM

OK, I'm finally installing my carPC. I'm not much of an expert on automotive power, so let me describe my plan and let you guys tell me what you think. Thanks in advance for the advice.

You can see my gear from my signature, so I won't spec it all out for you.

I've got an Opus 90 watt PSU, and I was originally planning on powering everything off of it. Now I'm not sure it will handle it, so I'm thinking of other methods.

On the Opus:
M10k Nehemiah mobo, 3.5" 5200 rpm HDD, 3 small fans, internal laptop CDRW/DVD, PCI ATi All-In-Wonder VE, Deluo USB GPS

On a powered USB hub:
USB touch screen, Linksys Wireless NIC, USB IDE enclosure with DVD drive, Zippy USB Keyboard, Sony XA-300 USB audio interface to my head unit

On the "egg-shaped" Lilliput regulator/cigarette lighter adapter:
Lilliput 7" VGA screen with touch screen

With that setup, I am guessing that the Lilliput will not "survive crank" and the screen will reboot, also all the stuff connected to the powered hub will "reboot". Also the Lilly and the USB hub stuff will NOT be drawing power while the car is off. The PC (Opus connected stuff) will draw power all the time, though much less while hibernating when the car is off. Are those acurate statements?

Any suggestions? I could wire EVERYTHING back to the Opus, but I'm not sure it will handle it.

TIA,
Tom

**tom2112** · 04-20-2004, 04:19 PM

Bump!

Come on, no one will touch this one?!?!

**pip** · 04-20-2004, 04:38 PM

Sounds good. If you connect the opus correctly then it should power down the pc, in which case it isn't drawing power.

**Chairboy** · 04-20-2004, 04:45 PM

Out of curiousity, why are you using the ATI PCI video card instead of the onboard video? The M10000 has built in VGA and TV Out. Is it for video capture?

**tom2112** · 04-21-2004, 08:05 AM

I'm using the ATI AIW card because the onboard video won't do 848x480 or 800x480 - at least not yet. And I'm tired of waiting for Via to get a clue. Plus the AIW has a TV tuner, so I can watch TV while I'm sitting in traffic or waiting on my girlfriend. (Did you ever wonder why women can NEVER be ready on time?)