Standard Desktop ATX PSU Question...

**lowspeedchase** · 02-13-2006, 11:50 PM

Hey all,

I have searched the forums extensively, and have learned it is possible to power my mobile motherboard (epia) with my old desktop PSU. I accomplished this by bypassing all the DC DC stuff and plugging the power directly into the board. Wow, I'm a genius... lol.

Now today I recieved my motorized in dash LCD unit (straight from mp3car.com store, thanks guys) and was wondering the best way to power it from the ATX psu... should I cut off one of the P4 connector heads and use those wires?

If anyone could me precise instructions or recommendations, I would be greatly appreciative.

**nkotch** · 02-14-2006, 12:09 AM

If the touchscreen just needs 12v you can just take it off from one of the molex power connectors (yellow is 12v i think....check the FAQs). Not sure I understand when you said you bypassed all the DC DC stuff? So you're not using an inverter w/ the PSU?

**lowspeedchase** · 02-14-2006, 12:12 AM

Correct,

I am not using an inverter, just using the connector that comes right out of the old Desktop PSU.

So you are saying to just cut up one of those P4 connectors, and connect the black to the black, the yellow to the yellow, and what to do with the other cables?

Thanks!

**nkotch** · 02-14-2006, 12:17 AM

No, don't need to mess with the P4 connector. I just tapped 12v off of one of those molex connectors that powers a hard drive or cd drive. Go to a local computer store and buy an atx power y-adapter, then you cut one of the ends off and put that end on the power wires coming from the screen, then you just plug the connector into one of the power connectors on PSU like it's a hard drive.

How are you powering the PSU though from the car?

**lowspeedchase** · 02-14-2006, 12:25 AM

Hehe I have an automotive PSU, not sure the model, just trying to get everything working out of the car first.

Thanks for the help!

Yellow to Yellow
Black to black

leave the other wires out?

Thanks!

**nkotch** · 02-14-2006, 12:27 AM

Ahhhh....gotcha.

Yea, the red should be 5v, but you shouldn't need that. Just check the power requirements on the screen and make sure both psu's can handle the draw.

**lowspeedchase** · 02-14-2006, 10:48 AM

Update: I am using the "M1-ATX 90 Watt - Smart Automotive Power Supply"

If the computer is going to be under a seat or in the trunk, do I need another PSU for the monitor, or could I wire it directly to the car's electrical system?

**v8 scimitar** · 02-14-2006, 06:20 PM

Depends on what monitor you have some can work direct from the car supply some need an adapter.

**lowspeedchase** · 02-15-2006, 10:04 AM

I have the MTSVO-SC... should that be ok to plug into the car's electrical system?

Additionally, I am having troubles setting up the system to work off my ATX power supply... After cutting off one of the molex's and connecting it to the MTSVO-SC, when I boot now, the HDD doesn't get power, nor does the MTSVO-SC - just the motherboard.

I have the yellow from the ATX going to the yellow of the MTSVO-SC, the black of the ATX going to the black of the MTSVO-SC and it doesn't work.

I even tried wiring the "park" wire of the MTSVO-SC the the second black wire I cut away from the molex, but that doesn't work either... Am I supposed to do anything withthe red wire from the ATX?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.