M1-ATX + Installation = Dead Battery

**HyDroLiC** · 10-10-2005, 12:17 AM

Hi Guys,

Me and a friend just purchased the M1-ATX. We both installed it the same way. Only thing is he got the computer from travla.box and I built my own.

A week after the installation both our car batteries were dead. Wondering if this is a problem with the wiring?

We DID NOT pull the wiring from the car battery directly. Got it somewhere from the dash board. Probably the same wiring set up as a car amp would have. We got professional sound system guys to do it for us.

The wire comes alive only when the car is ON. So if I turn off the ignition, all power to the M1-ATX should be cut off. We also joined together the ignition wire with the + wire.

On top of that I have a switch that allows me to remove the wiring completely to the M1-ATX. This allows me to remove the computer from the car.

Can anyone see why the car battery went dead?
Is this a wiring problem? an M1-ATX problem? or the alternator not powerfull enough to recharge the battery?

The jumper settings were also at B (2 = 5sec / 2 hours)

My computer specs:
Pentium III 800
20GB 2.5 hard disk
512 RAM
Built in Sound & Graphics
USB Mouse & Keyboard

**HyDroLiC** · 10-22-2005, 12:37 AM

anyone have any ideas?

**EsKALad** · 10-22-2005, 12:39 AM

Did You Say You Joined The Ignition Wire With The Battery Wire? If So Thats Definitely Your Problem!

**StrataG** · 10-22-2005, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by HyDroLiC

The wire comes alive only when the car is ON. So if I turn off the ignition, all power to the M1-ATX should be cut off. We also joined together the ignition wire with the + wire.

If you have your power feed and ignition feed coupled, your PSU will be trying to supply power until there is no juice in the battery (unless there is a low voltage cut-off on the m1-atx). There is a reason why the ignition wire is seperate. It tells the PSU whether to turn on. Are you sure that your computer is actually turning off? It should not be if what you said is the case, and there in lies your problem.

**DarquePervert** · 10-22-2005, 08:45 AM

I wouldn't trust that professional ever again!

**WebDog** · 10-22-2005, 11:02 AM

The + should always have power no matter what state the IGN is in. Thats so when you leave the car it can shut the PC down correctly...

Then when the IGN is hot it turns the PC on, of you joined the IGN and + then you lose all the shutdown features since it is killing power when you turn off car... not smart!!

I always had the + connected to the battery for over as year and never a dead battery, its obviusly not wired correctly since you would see a lot more people with complaints if it was a problem with the M1-ATX.

**EsKALad** · 10-22-2005, 01:03 PM

Yeah But Also If He Connected The Ign And + Together Wouldnt It Also Turn Everything In The Car On? Like His Radio And Amps Or Whatever?

**DK888** · 10-22-2005, 02:06 PM

(+) goes to the battery with a 10A inline fuse

(ign) goes to ignition or ACC ( this is the connection in the middle of the 3 terminals on the M1-ATX

(-) goes to ground

I have mine setup on Jumper B. I also have a switch in between my ACC and M1-ATX for those times I just don't want it on. If I shut my car off, pc shuts down and I hit the switch the pc boots up again. Maybe your pc is still running and you didn't realize it. Therefore, you have a dead battery?

**HyDroLiC** · 10-24-2005, 12:25 AM

Thankz for the advise guys. Have to go back to the shop and get the wiring redone.

I will follow DK888's setup.

(+) goes to the battery with a 10A inline fuse

(ign) goes to ignition or ACC ( this is the connection in the middle of the 3 terminals on the M1-ATX

(-) goes to ground

But im pretty sure no power goes to the pc when the car is not on.
Because the light on the motherboard goes off when the car is off.

Anyway will get the above done and let you guys know how it went.
thankx.