question as to 12v PCs......

**m2rv h** · 06-21-2004, 11:39 AM

i was under the impression that a PC ran at 12v

i have a PC in my car with an external power supply, and it says 12v dc

but the laptop power supplys i see are all 15v to 24v

example -

Specifications:
Input voltage: 11 to 15Vdc
Max. Input power: 80W
Output voltage: 15 to 24Vdc
Max. output current: 5A
Output power: 72W continuous at 13.8Vdc
Dimensions: 95(L) x 42(W) x 21(H)
Weight: 130g

my PC runs at 70watt i THINK, 99% sure

any1 point me in the right direction?
cheers

**m2rv h** · 06-21-2004, 11:41 AM

another one

Specifications:
Input voltage: 11 to 15Vdc
Max. input power 80W
Output voltage: 15 to 24Vdc
Output power: 75W (72W continuous at 13.8Vdc)
Max. output current: 5A
Dimensions: 95(L) x 42(W) x 21(H)
Weight: 130g

**waltsongs** · 06-21-2004, 04:44 PM

It is actually quite difficult to design a supply that will regulate an output with an input voltage that swings both above and below the required output. It's much easier to step the voltage up, or down. The only way I have seen it done is with a flyback converter which requires a great deal of technical knowledge and speciallized parts to build. The other method steps the voltage above or below the required output and then steps it back down or up to the required voltage. Of course this is my best guess, there may be other reasons as well. Most designs are a compromise between cost, reliability, and ease of manufacturing.

Walt
http://www.safossils.com/mp3car.html

**Rob Withey** · 06-22-2004, 07:26 AM

Hey Mart,

Your web page (http://www.freewebs.com/marts-corsa) says first incar pc in a Corsa.

Sorry to possibly burst your bubble, but mine was installed in a Corsa in late 1999. ;-)

Archived homepages back to May 2000: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://...er/oracle/1287

One of my early posts talking about my hard drive shock protection (the same system I run today on the same hard drive): shock protection?