Because I'm lazy

**jmeche3** · 09-29-2004, 12:40 PM

I'm sure this is explained somewhere, but I have a 5 pg paper due monday and 30 lines of greek to translate among other wonderful collegiate work to finish, so I'm being lazy and not researching it on the forum. I am building a CarPC (lilliput in dash, boss dvd 5000b, 450mhz amd k-6 2) I am going to be using an inverter for power. My question is: What can I do for an option to give me power for hibernation time once I shut off my car, or is there a 120v something that I can hook up to make it auto hibernate once the battery power is cut.

Thanks for the help
John MEche

**jmeche3** · 09-29-2004, 12:55 PM

OH...also...I plan on running my inverter's power cord from the trunk to the battery. In order to power my computer on, I want to put a rockerswitch in my dash that the inverter's power cord will run through. Can a normal car rocker switch handle that? is there anything I should be concerned about by doing it this way?

Thanks again
John Meche

**Chairboy** · 09-29-2004, 12:57 PM

Sure, you could use a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply), specifically one with a serial connection that tells the computer when power was interrupted. Then, you either use the software that comes with the UPS or write your own to initiate the hibernation.

**MrPerfectionest** · 09-29-2004, 01:12 PM

so I'm being lazy and not researching it on the forum

Your college work is pretty weak compared to my every day job, and I take time to search the forums before I ask questions.

I hope that no one else answers this until you decide to be unlazy.

**jmeche3** · 09-29-2004, 01:21 PM

That's fine. I'm sure i can find more and more detailed info simply by searching. My problem is that I don't know what keywords to use. 'Hibernate' and 'power suply' aren't going to help me much as I have seen. At least throw me a bone here on what it is I'm looking for.

Much appreciated
John Meche

**mykolJay** · 09-29-2004, 01:24 PM

search - hardwiring an inverter

I use an amp wiring kit. Battery -> indash on/off switch -> fused distributer block -> inverter (w/ a fuse) -> carputer.

I don't have an shutdown controller solution yet, don't really care cause I only use my car every week or so. I remember hit the switch before I leave my car.

REMEMBER TO USE LOTS OF FUSES.

**jmeche3** · 09-29-2004, 02:41 PM

ok. I looked around and see a little bit of what I'd like to do. I just have some questions and maybe someone can impart some wisdom upon me. I want to go from the battery to a toggleswitch (dash mounted) to my inverter. I will leave the PC's power (mechanical pushbutton switch) on, so that I can hibernate then flip the switch (to cut power to the inverterter and hence the pc). When I flip my switch again that should bring my pc out of hibernation (?) Will this work or should I power my inverter with my head unit and run my PC's power switch to a dash mounted toggle?

**SnyperBob** · 09-29-2004, 03:25 PM

In my car I have a toggle switch attached to the computer's power button. I have my inverter running to the back of the car. I just leave it on all the time (it has built in protection against over drawing the battery). Then when I want to turn on the machine, I just hit the button up front in my car.

I don't see a need to put the inverter on a switch in front of the car. Why not just leave it on? If you have a good inverter you should have no problem, and as long as your machine isn't turned on - it won't draw enough power to be a concern.

**gareva1** · 09-29-2004, 03:31 PM

I would just wire the inverter like you want with a rocker switch on the dash (use a large switch, as many amps as you can find; I found a 50a switch at autozone, and it works nicely). I do not advocate running the inverter all the time in your saturn...it will kill the battery unless you drive often...may not even go through the night. UPS looks like a good idea, havent thought of that one...my only concern would be how it works off the inverter...just food for thought.

**jmeche3** · 09-29-2004, 04:46 PM

How about this? I can wire my inverter to my accessory chain (leaving the inverter on), and run my PC switch up to the front. So I can turn my car on...then flip my power switch and turn the pc on. The only problem I see with this is that I will be running the inverter (and hence the PC) off of my accessory. Any comments on this? Oh, one more question. If I wire my inverter into my head unit's amp control (don't have an amp), will the head unit be supplying power or will it supply a signal to turn on the inverter? (in that case I could run off of my battery and use my head unit to turn the inverter on)