Powering up PC using central locking...?

**King_Jimbob** · 02-22-2005, 10:35 PM

I am pretty sure there is not already a thread on this... but sorry if there is...

I was wandering if it would be possible to power on/off a carPC using the remote central locking system in a car? I am actually a PC engineer but i am not that good with car electrics...

Any info would be a great help.

J.

**kiltjim** · 02-22-2005, 10:42 PM

Absolutely. You basically need to find the "unlock" wire in your car and wire into that. Depending on the power supply or the setup it will differ for you though. If you have a laptop, its a matter of running power to it, and then pushing the button in some way. This is how mine was supposed to work. You also have to keep in mind to disable this feature if the computer is on though. So that you don't trigger it again accidentally.

I don't have an OPUS, so I have no idea on how they are triggered. I think it is all triggered off of the accessory voltages though. If the power supply gets power to the trigger wire, it turns on. If that same voltage goes away, the computer gets shut down. Other than that I have no idea.

I tried to build something myself, but the weather got too bad to spend any time out there to actually install it.

**MikeH** · 02-23-2005, 06:03 AM

JimBob,

As KiltJim says, it's a matter of how the power supply is triggered. Here's an example of the CarNetix triggering ("Pulse Start").

**stevieg** · 02-23-2005, 06:13 AM

Here is a link to someone's install who has done very similar to what you are looking for..

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=674

**Nic** · 02-23-2005, 06:40 AM

i used to do this, i had a relay on the central locking "unlock" wire, so everytime i unlocked it would press the power button, it became a pain in the *** in the end

**Dexter** · 02-23-2005, 07:13 AM

use a relay to convert the unlock pulse into a constant that connects the opus ignition wire to +12V battery, that'll turn the carputer on i think

**DarquePervert** · 02-23-2005, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Dexter

use a relay to convert the unlock pulse into a constant that connects the opus ignition wire to +12V battery, that'll turn the carputer on i think

Actually, it would be simpler to have a momentary short across the ATX power-o headers for the motherboard (assuming your motherboard meets ATX spec).
Logically, your way would work as well, I believe, just more of a pain to implement.

**Dexter** · 02-23-2005, 07:55 AM

maybe its because ive been up all night half assedly coding, but how would the computer get power if you only short the power switch? would the opus turn on anyways, even though its Ignition wire isnt high?

i must have a gift for coming up with 'pain to implement' solutions ... i should patent that or something...

**RedGTiVR6** · 02-23-2005, 09:06 AM

lol

the way I have mine set-up is that the computer turns on with ignition via remote start. The screen won't come on unless the key is in the ignition, that way if I remote start it while left in the parking lot, the screen won't be advertising to everyone out there...lol

I don't see remote unlock being that difficult to wire into, I guess you could also wire into it to send a signal to shut down once you get out of the car and hit the lock button?

**Scouse Monkey** · 02-23-2005, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

lol

the way I have mine set-up is that the computer turns on with ignition via remote start. The screen won't come on unless the key is in the ignition, that way if I remote start it while left in the parking lot, the screen won't be advertising to everyone out there...lol

I don't see remote unlock being that difficult to wire into, I guess you could also wire into it to send a signal to shut down once you get out of the car and hit the lock button?

Nice idea with the screen Red, i think i will do that.

I am planning on having it boot with the central locking too. Gonna use a pulse setup as described above but also have the ign in parrallel so i can lock the doors while driving (e.g. when is St Pauls or Manchester) and not have the PC shutdown.