What inverter should I use

**muldrick** · 06-15-2004, 01:46 PM

I have a 1995 Honda Passport...I plan to install the Lilliput display and use an old home PC (put in back of truck)
Can I just get an DC to AC inverter (at say Walmart)? and run it directly from the battery?
I don't have any #'s on watts etc on the PC, but like I said it's a home desktop pc (Gateway1.2gig, 2X60gig Hard drives. 1DVD, 1 CD Burner)
I want to do this as cheaply as possible...
I could add an additional battery (isolated) and use the (walmart) dc to ac inverter?
How many watts box should I get (250 watts ok?)
Will it drain the battery(s) quickly if I left the pc in hybernate?
I was going to buy the Lilliput at ***********.com for $280.00
Your thoughts please...

**hud** · 06-15-2004, 01:54 PM

I bought a $30-$35 Coleman inverter at BigLots (a clearance/discount/cheapo store). I think the Coleman that I got is a 350W continuous (700W max peak). I bought a Scosche amp wiring kit at Wal-Mart for about $20, which I used to wire the inverter straight to the battery. I'm running a Lilliput, and my computer's got an Athlon XP 2500 Mobile processor in it. I've had it in the car (a 1995 Geo Metro, no less) for about a month now, no issues with it at all.

I'd say if you go with a 350W (continuous) inverter, you'll probably be good.

As for the hibernate question, don't know, I don't do that.

**muldrick** · 06-15-2004, 02:34 PM

Thanks Hud, what about the Lilliput?
I see alot of posts talking about regulated voltage and all. I don't want to fry my Lilliput. Would it be best just to use the ac adaptor and plug it into the inverter?

**Kato** · 06-15-2004, 02:39 PM

I think the "egg" shaped unit that comes with the lilliput cig. adapter provides the voltage regulation, so you can just plug that directly into your cig. socket.

**Batmanatthenewb** · 06-15-2004, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Kato

I think the "egg" shaped unit that comes with the lilliput cig. adapter provides the voltage regulation, so you can just plug that directly into your cig. socket.

Yes, the egg is the regulator. As for the size of the inverter. first thing you need to do is open the case of the computer and see what size power supply it has. The more drives you have, the more power it takes. I run a 300w inverter with a 300w power supply with no problem. Have six fans and two cold cathode lights. See it at
http://68.77.191.217/car_computer_Version_3.htm

Batman

**muldrick** · 06-16-2004, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Batmanatthenewb

Yes, the egg is the regulator. As for the size of the inverter. first thing you need to do is open the case of the computer and see what size power supply it has. The more drives you have, the more power it takes. I run a 300w inverter with a 300w power supply with no problem. Have six fans and two cold cathode lights. See it at
http://68.77.191.217/car_computer_Version_3.htm

Batman

I don't intend to go that fancy at all (not yet). Just a Gateway 1.2 Gig, which has 2 dvd/cd drives, 2 harddrives (1- 30 gig and 1- 80gB) as far as I know only one fan.
Some questions:
Can I run my sound wires from the Lilliput straight to my head unit, or should they come from the PC?
For power I plan to get a (walmart) 300 or 400 W inverter.
Possibly go with an additional battery and isolator?
I'd like to be able to put the PC in Standby or Hybernate if possible, let it use the power from the second battery. (I drive 1 hour to work, so that's 2 hours per day)
Your thoughts please?

**fantomas** · 06-16-2004, 07:17 PM

just a question..why do you plan on useing a cd burner in your car?

**muldrick** · 06-16-2004, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Batmanatthenewb

Yes, the egg is the regulator. As for the size of the inverter. first thing you need to do is open the case of the computer and see what size power supply it has. The more drives you have, the more power it takes. I run a 300w inverter with a 300w power supply with no problem. Have six fans and two cold cathode lights. See it at
http://68.77.191.217/car_computer_Version_3.htm

Batman

Batman, after I put up the last post I went to your webpage. Nice...real nice!
Yeah...I don't intend to do all that, I sure like your DVD player up front though. I intend to install my PC in the rear of my Honda Passport (plenty of room)
Install it as a complete unit for now and just run the moniter lead to the front for the Lilliput. Use the touchscreen and the Windows XP on screen keyboard when needed.
Run leads from the Lilliput to the radio headunit? Is that possible?

**muldrick** · 06-16-2004, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by fantomas

just a question..why do you plan on useing a cd burner in your car?

MyGateway allready has the burner and DVD reader installled, so why take it out?

**Batmanatthenewb** · 06-16-2004, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by muldrick

Batman, after I put up the last post I went to your webpage. Nice...real nice!
Yeah...I don't intend to do all that, I sure like your DVD player up front though. I intend to install my PC in the rear of my Honda Passport (plenty of room)
Install it as a complete unit for now and just run the moniter lead to the front for the Lilliput. Use the touchscreen and the Windows XP on screen keyboard when needed.
Run leads from the Lilliput to the radio headunit? Is that possible?

muldrick,

I didn't understand why you want to use the speaker in the lilliput. You are best to use the lilliput just for the monitor function. Speaker won't sound even close to your car stereo. Your best bet is run a wire from your sound card (1/8" plug, or rca) to an amp and then into your speakers (you control sound level on the touchscreen, or with wireless mouse) or go from the sound card to an FM Modulator. The modulator plugs in between your antenna and your head unit and allows you to put the sound from your pc into the head unit, and then out to your speakers. Amp is a cleaner sound and the best way to go. FM Modulator is cheaper and is OK for temporary, but after a while mine started breaking down and the sound quality degraded. Thats why I went with the amp.

Batman