Inverter - NO problems!

**-zerodb** · 07-30-2005, 03:47 PM

Just figured I'd post since all I see are people having inverter problems.

I'm running a standard ATX mobo, cheapo MAD DOG power supply, powering my xenarc off the 12v rail of the PS. Sound goes from my SB Audigy2 ZS directly into my amps - using KXdriver's dsp plugins to direct different freqs to each amp.

Power is from a Coleman 400W inverter ($25.00 at kragen!) and the CarPC-EZ startup-shutdown controller.

Smooth as butter, I turn on the car, the inverter fires up, PC starts a few seconds later, bringing the screen up at the same time. Sound is COMPLETELY noise-free, everything works great, and the PC hibernates nice and easy a few seconds after I turn off the car.

Just wanted to put ONE good experience out there in case people are considering alternator setups. I liked the idea because I can expand my system a lot without worrying, and I have an extra outlet to plug in my soldering iron, xbox, or damn near anything else if I need to.

I suspect the only reason people have problems is with PC into HU aux into amp installs - I can imagine the PC and HU having horribly different ground states and wreaking havoc... but why does anyone need a head unit?

**lexanite** · 07-30-2005, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by -zerodb

Just figured I'd post since all I see are people having inverter problems.

I'm running a standard ATX mobo, cheapo MAD DOG power supply, powering my xenarc off the 12v rail of the PS. Sound goes from my SB Audigy2 ZS directly into my amps - using KXdriver's dsp plugins to direct different freqs to each amp.

Power is from a Coleman 400W inverter ($25.00 at kragen!) and the CarPC-EZ startup-shutdown controller.

Smooth as butter, I turn on the car, the inverter fires up, PC starts a few seconds later, bringing the screen up at the same time. Sound is COMPLETELY noise-free, everything works great, and the PC hibernates nice and easy a few seconds after I turn off the car.

Just wanted to put ONE good experience out there in case people are considering alternator setups. I liked the idea because I can expand my system a lot without worrying, and I have an extra outlet to plug in my soldering iron, xbox, or damn near anything else if I need to.

I suspect the only reason people have problems is with PC into HU aux into amp installs - I can imagine the PC and HU having horribly different ground states and wreaking havoc... but why does anyone need a head unit?

Congratulation.
I also use 400W inverter in my 1996 Mazda 'Lantis' (after modified the alternator and replace the battery with a bigger one). Its there long time before I install my Car PC. The PC AUDIO OUT go to HU AUX IN.
My 2005 Ford Everest will have more or less a similar configuration.
So please tell me more about what you mean with 'I can imagine the PC and HU having horribly different ground states and wreaking havoc'.
Thanks

**-zerodb** · 08-03-2005, 03:16 AM

A lot of people using inverters with PCs connected to the head unit have horrible noise problems, and it's almost always related to different grounds. PC connected directly to amps seems to eliminate a lot of those problems. If you're doing it with no problems, more power to you!

**Bodgy** · 08-09-2005, 10:38 PM

I love my inverter!
survives crank, starts/stops with key, no ground noises (after some sorting) and it only cost about $30 us from a auto shop in my town.
Why would I want an opus?

**snr88** · 08-09-2005, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by -zerodb

Just figured I'd post since all I see are people having inverter problems.

I'm running a standard ATX mobo, cheapo MAD DOG power supply, powering my xenarc off the 12v rail of the PS. Sound goes from my SB Audigy2 ZS directly into my amps - using KXdriver's dsp plugins to direct different freqs to each amp.

Power is from a Coleman 400W inverter ($25.00 at kragen!) and the CarPC-EZ startup-shutdown controller.

Smooth as butter, I turn on the car, the inverter fires up, PC starts a few seconds later, bringing the screen up at the same time. Sound is COMPLETELY noise-free, everything works great, and the PC hibernates nice and easy a few seconds after I turn off the car.

Just wanted to put ONE good experience out there in case people are considering alternator setups. I liked the idea because I can expand my system a lot without worrying, and I have an extra outlet to plug in my soldering iron, xbox, or damn near anything else if I need to.

I suspect the only reason people have problems is with PC into HU aux into amp installs - I can imagine the PC and HU having horribly different ground states and wreaking havoc... but why does anyone need a head unit?

how did u wire it all up mate........a diagram would be great!!

**fourthw0rld** · 08-17-2005, 04:05 PM

usually people complain of noise do to using cheap modified sinewave inverters. To get true performance without distortion, you need a pure sinewave inverter. I got a nice 150W one that works fine for most things from this place, pretty cheap www.amptronix.com

**Stealth97** · 08-17-2005, 05:14 PM

Im using an inverter, too. No crank issue, no audible noise, it works.

**turbocad6** · 08-17-2005, 05:29 PM

a pure sinewave inverter is NOT necissary as the power supply will filter the signal just fine.... not a bad thing, but not necissary either.

inverters can make great installs..... there drawbacks are that they are less efficient & draw more power to do the same "work"..... you can leave your pc on for an hour without killing your battery with an opus but are less likely of being so lucky with an inverter..... they are wastefull, less efficient & USUALLY noisier.... otherwise there not bad at all really.... I done a few installs with inverters... they do work....I don't think they add noise to the computer... can be a noise source through rf interferance though

**Jcarere** · 08-17-2005, 05:38 PM

I am about 80 % done with my first car computer install and this is good news to me. I am running mine currently off of a vector 350 watt invertor. And so far no problems. Next week my 5.1 sound car is coming and im gunna set up a 4 ch amp so y head unit will be out of the picture. So far everything works great and its good to know others have done what im planing and have not had problems.

**tomi667** · 08-19-2005, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by -zerodb

I'm running a standard ATX mobo, cheapo MAD DOG power supply, powering my xenarc off the 12v rail of the PS. Sound goes from my SB Audigy2 ZS directly into my amps - using KXdriver's dsp plugins to direct different freqs to each amp.

I have Nforce motherboad with onboard audio (AC97 6-channel) You use KX driver with SB Audigy. Do you know does these drivers working with AC97 soundcard.