Need advice on power...

**timekiller** · 03-30-2005, 05:27 PM

Hello, new to this forum and looking for advice.

I am putting a carputer in my Mazda3 and do not want to go the inverter route. I want DC-DC with shutdown/startup. Only thing is, I am concerned about my power requirements.

Here are my specs:

Chaintech 7NIF2 MoBo
AMD Athlon 1.2Ghz
512MB DDR RAM
80GB 4200RPM laptop harddrive
DVD ROM
USB GPS Receiver
USB RF ATI Remote
RF Mouse/Keyboard

The PSU in the case right now is 200W but I dunno if I need that much juice. I did a "Wattage calculator" online, which came out to 200W, but those are geared towards conventional PSUs.

Was hoping one of the veterans would have some insight into this.

I am ready to install, I just need power. Any help is appreciated.

**Bugbyte** · 03-30-2005, 10:39 PM

PSU's are PSU's. If the wattage calculator says 200 watts, that means AC or DC. You'll need an inverter for this setup, although I'm a little surprised you need that much juice.

Try a search on "power calculators" and compare the results of a couple. If they're coming out near each other, that's probably a sign that they're close.

**EsKALad** · 03-30-2005, 10:47 PM

im running more than that with an opus 150 and its fine..using external 80gb laptop hdd..p4 mini itx qith 1.7 mobile chip. fullsize 7200 rpm 200 gb hdd..and bu 303 gps. external slim slot load dvd and my lilliput touchscreen running all off the opus with NO problems!

**SystemAddict** · 03-31-2005, 03:35 PM

Hi,

Im completely new to this in-car PC stuff, i know how to sting the bits together, but am wondering if anyone has suggestions for a stable decent PSU..

I intend on building a complete custom kit for either my Golf or possibly a BMW 3 Series, and in both cases need to take the following points into consideration:

Diesel Vs Petrol (gas for you yanks

)
Cold Start conditions
Dual or Single Alternator driven - and would running this from a secondary battery be best??? (need to consider a humble traditional Sound system).

It'l be built on passive lightweight laptop technology with loadsa gadets..

I will need to run the following consecutively: Serial GPS mouse, XP Pro OS (running on 4GB CompactFlash card), slot loading DVD/CD player/burner built in dash, Wifi via PC Cardbus with ext arial, TV/FM Card, mini self powered USB2 hub, Lilliput 7" touchscreen, external USB powered removable HDD... also possibly a front-mounted webcam

am still weighing up the motherboard solution, but this one looks appealing VIA EPIA MII Mainboard

**SystemAddict** · 03-31-2005, 04:21 PM

Timekiller: Surely your RF keyboard and Mouse would suffer from interferance from engine and passing-by signals ??

personally... im going to go down the touchscreen road, with the possibility of a wired mini keyboard, possibly USB driven, and one with an internal tracking pad or trackerball .. ive seen some ace illuminated keyboards... great for night time use ..

..you cant beat wired kit (he says using a bluetooth keyboard @ home)