Power wires inquiry

**maxxell** · 12-29-2004, 12:28 PM

If I am completely removing my stock head unit and running a computer based on the Opus power supply, can I use the power wires that used to run to the head unit for either the opus or the lilliput? It would seem like a waste to have the stock wires go unused and have to run a whole new set.

I imagine there are issues about the gauge of the wire and the breaker, but I have not yet found an easy way to figure out the power draw from the stock system yet.

Would you guys think that the stock system would be dramatically different from powering a whole computer? Can I just replace the fuse? Should I bother trying to get the stock wires to run the Opus or scrap 'em and run new wires? It would be easier to tap the existing wires, but if it's too big a PITA, I wont bother.

**wizawuza** · 12-29-2004, 12:31 PM

the stock wires could probably do the lilliput, but def not your opus. You should use a minimum of 8 gauge on the opus, and your stock headunit probably has 14 or 16 gauge.

A direct [fused] line to the battery is highly recommended for the opus.

**ColdPhreze** · 12-29-2004, 12:49 PM

Agreed.

And, fyi, if using an inverter, 12 to 4 gauge, depending on the length of run and current consumption.

My uncle was melting the wires in his dash (you could actually smell them) by trying to run too much off of them.

ColdPhreze

**maxxell** · 12-29-2004, 01:16 PM

If I have to run new wires for the Opus, so be it. I had always thought I was going to have to anyway. How can I use the h/u wires to power the lilliput? I have seen the complicated mod to get the opus to power the lilliput, but it is beyond my capabilities. I was thinking of splicing a new cig lighter on to the wires upstream of the existing cig lighter and plug the opus into that. If there is a way to nab the power from the stock h/u that would be fantastic. Is there a howto on this somewhere that I've missed?

**rando** · 12-29-2004, 01:40 PM

Complicated mod? The Lilliput requires a regulated 12V input. You can either use the egg (known to cause problems) and power from a battery circuit in your car or you can hook it directly to one of the 4 pin molex connectors from your Opus. Either alternative is equally simple to do but the Opus option will give you clean reliable power while the egg will probably eventually fail.

**Blue ZX3** · 12-29-2004, 01:46 PM

running the liliput off the opus would be the best solution, as it provides a regulated 12v to it. It also will make it a little brighter b/c even the "egg" doesn't quite supply enough current, been there...done that! and basiclly all you have to do is cut/unsolder the "egg" off the power cord and attach it to the molar connector on the opus...don't really consider this hard even for someone who's not electronicly enclined....

**Blue ZX3** · 12-29-2004, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by rando

Complicated mod? The Lilliput requires a regulated 12V input. You can either use the egg (known to cause problems) and power from a battery circuit in your car or you can hook it directly to one of the 4 pin molex connectors from your Opus. Either alternative is equally simple to do but the Opus option will give you clean reliable power while the egg will probably eventually fail.

Beat me too it....

**maxxell** · 12-29-2004, 11:30 PM

I re-read the Opus --> lilliput forum and it still, well, I dont even know what an 'egg' is. I've been inside PCs before, I'd swapped components and all that noise, but I've never used a soldering iron. I've spliced wires, which is why I was thinking of tapping the stock cig lighter and creating a new place to plug in the lilliput. I also like the idea of having the monitor turn on when the car turns on, independent of the computer. In case I want to get an xbox in there or something.
Oh yeah, and you guys mentioned using the stock h/u power to run the lilliput. That idea still intrigues me, unless of course it requires soldering as well. Thoughts?

**wizawuza** · 12-29-2004, 11:43 PM

I don't have a lilliput (xenarc for me), so I'm sure others here can comment on this one, but I think that the lilliput can't take the power line directly from the wire powering the HU. This is because the wire will have a voltage ranging from 12V to 13.8 or maybe even 14.4 volts. The car's voltage gets this high when the engine is running. The lilliput gets this voltage, and bad things happen. It needs a regulated 12V, which I'm guessing the "egg" does.

Tapping into the opus's 12V node should have the same effect too.

**Peoples** · 12-29-2004, 11:55 PM

Hate to jack this thread, but i've always had a question about the 12v power to the headunit. Is this line a constant 12v?....is it regulated.....i've never tested with a multimeter to see its reaction at crank time. Is powering the LCD through the molex connector nessesary?