My idea for a Laptop Switch for my MKIV Jetta. Can this work?!?

**mwh350** · 04-02-2005, 10:58 AM

Glad it worked out for you. I used a headphone jack as my connection on my laptop. Here is a picture of what mine looks like!

**Man Ace** · 04-04-2005, 01:17 AM

So this what my laptop looks like now with the connectors attached. I deicded to use banana jacks as mention earlier. I have taped the wire in place to secure any movement that may happen.

With the banana plugs plugged in and push button attached to simulate how it will work..

Obviously I still have to make a bracket of some sort to secure my laptop down in my trunk so it doesnt move.

**wagonerd** · 04-05-2005, 10:03 AM

Wow I guess I got out of this easy. Never realised how much of a PIA the power button could be...

I just soldered some 16g wire from the correct pins on the power switch to the back side of the modem plug. Ran some phone cable from the trunk to dash and terminated an RJ11 so the laptop can still be removed fairly easily for repairs, upgrades, etc.

Good work! It will all be worth it!

**Man Ace** · 04-05-2005, 02:51 PM

damn.. good *** idea..

my modem is across the other corner of my laptop, so i would have to take the whole thing apart and I am trying to avoid that since the last laptop I had went ka-put.

**jonee** · 04-13-2005, 06:23 AM

just soldered some 16g wire from the correct pins on the power switch to the back side of the modem plug. Ran some phone cable from the trunk to dash and terminated an RJ11 so the laptop can still be removed fairly easily for repairs, upgrades, etc.

Could you elaborate a bit on this? This sounds like a very good solution.

**bergeron76** · 04-15-2005, 04:45 PM

Man Ace, since you have the switch accessible now, you could use a DSSC to automate powering it on and off when you start your car.

Just a thought...

-CB

**rdcravens** · 05-03-2005, 09:46 AM

I am interested in hearing more on the idea of running a phone line to the front of the car and adding a button to it... How did this connection work inside of the computer? I mean I get the idea of using the internal (to the computer) jumpers to create the connection on the power on switch, but have you not run into any issues with melting wires or your laptop shorting out?

Could you post some pics on your setup so we could see it? Since this is only for power on and off, I assume you must power off the pc before you turn off the car - or do you allow it to go into hibernate when power goes below a certain point on battery?