Ghetto Startup/Shutdown Control for Inverter

**vcbb5** · 07-26-2005, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by MikeyTampa

Ok I have said this a few times but is it possible for people to take pictures of their ghetto shutdown controller? Or make a list of parts so a newb can have a DIY. I don't know how to read wiring diagrams so real pictures would be very helpful...thanks

buying a shutdown controller, or even better a dc power supply would probably be easier.

For mine, you just need wires, a couple of small like .5-1 amp diodes, and a couple of .5-1 amp or so relay's.

**PatO** · 07-28-2005, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by MikeyTampa

Ok I have said this a few times but is it possible for people to take pictures of their ghetto shutdown controller? Or make a list of parts so a newb can have a DIY. I don't know how to read wiring diagrams so real pictures would be very helpful...thanks

Yes, photos make things easier, but I would highly suggest you learn what symbols mean on schematics. There are tons of basic projects out there with photos and accompanying circuit diagrams - start with those and then move on to things like this...

**vettejock99** · 10-08-2005, 10:52 AM

Believe it or not, but I have spent about half an hour JUST looking for FAQs on how to read electrical schematics, and although I see many references to switches, relays, diodes, etc (many shown with example symbols), I cannot find the ones from the diagram in this thread (with the 87 88 85 30 around it) even though I know I've seen it commonly used - and I'm really pretty good at using Google

Can someone spell it out for us clueless newbs? I have my carpc built and running beautifully, but I really want to build this and the fake UPS idea is brilliant - I just don't know what the electrical components are outside of the 5V run from the PS to pin 8 (or is that ACC?)...dang it....

**PURDooM** · 10-08-2005, 11:02 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-VOLT-30-40-AM...QQcmdZViewItem

Those things.

**vettejock99** · 10-09-2005, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by PURDooM

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-VOLT-30-40-AM...QQcmdZViewItem

Those things.

Thanks, PURDooM! Last question (I hope) - what is the actual behavior when wired this way and using the fake UPS? In other words, what if I want to shut the car off, but listen to the stereo with ACC power on? Will this work just like my car stereo would, or do I need to use the other shutdown application found in these forums to tell my PC to shutdown after 10 minutes or whatever? If there are differences, what are they? (i.e. one allows shutdown to hibernate, the other doesn't, or whatever).

I'm going to the auto parts store or someplace to buy a couple of these relays and harnesses if I can just get a handle on this!

Thanks again!

**vettejock99** · 10-10-2005, 03:17 PM

anyone have any insight on this last point?

**PatO** · 10-14-2005, 10:29 PM

If you don't want it to shut off with the car, then don't hook it up to the ignition... Or, use more capacitors and a diode to fake an ignition wire.

Use the diode to prevent power from flowing back into the ignition wire. Caps should be sized according to the draw of the relay (which can be estimated using my diagram). However, this will always run - when you shut your car off, comp will always run for the time provided by the caps.

I personally, never have and never will use the ignition to determine when my computer will turn on or off. I use a simple pushbutton and do everything manually. Yes, it's an extra button press to turn it on or off, but until reliable DIY proximity sensors are available, it's really the only way...

**vettejock99** · 10-20-2005, 08:39 AM

My goal is to have the SPDT relay triggered by the ACC being turned on, and then have it start the inverter, powering the PC, etc. The UPS software and XP would be responsible for shutting it down. I also plan on wiring a push-button switch for PC power, if at all possible, to allow for an override if the PC hangs.

I'm going to start another thread to try to tie this up (for me and the future n00bs)

**vcbb5** · 10-21-2005, 12:39 PM

I made two switches on my setup. 1 is hooked to my pc's on/off switch, so if it does hang, i can shut it down with that. The other ist just inline with the acc switch, so if for some reason i don't want the pc starting with the car (in for service, short trip etc.) than i can turn the switch off and that pc won't start.

pics:

**vettejock99** · 10-23-2005, 11:55 PM

Originally Posted by vcbb5

I made two switches on my setup. 1 is hooked to my pc's on/off switch, so if it does hang, i can shut it down with that. The other ist just inline with the acc switch, so if for some reason i don't want the pc starting with the car (in for service, short trip etc.) than i can turn the switch off and that pc won't start.

pics:

That is super clean! Any chance you want to post your latest wiring diagram to include those switches? I got my switches and wire last night, all I need are the two relays and maybe a cap and diode and with a diagram I'll be cooking!