Power problems... maybe?

**howardtopher** · 04-24-2006, 08:26 PM

I've been reading these forums for a couple years now and have slowly been building my system. I've got everything the way I want it and it works great. However, lately I have been having problems with the computer just completely dying.

I am using a power inverter which kinda sucks, but when I first started I couldn't afford a DC-DC power supply. When the computer dies I have to unplug the power inverter and plug it back in for any thing to turn on again.

The problem is I don't know if my power invterter is overloaded, over heating, or if its about dead. Or, is it not the power inverter but the alternator being milked for all its worth and it just can't handle it? It tends to do it more in the heat of the day so I would tend to lean towards the power inverter over heating, but it does do it some during the colder months. Everything is in the cabin of the car so it's not exposed to the extreme temperatures when it is in use.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

**madkad** · 04-24-2006, 08:38 PM

Why dont you plug it into the mains and see if the pc is the problem?

**psyrex** · 04-24-2006, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by howardtopher

What do you guys think?

I think we need more information. What's the system specs?

-psyrex

**howardtopher** · 04-24-2006, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by psyrex

I think we need more information. What's the system specs?

-psyrex

well i updated my signature with the system specs. i have had the entire system running with the thing cranked up so loud that you couldnt hear yourself talk and i havent had problems with it shutting off. you think DC-DC would be the way to go? ive been wanting to do that for a while and my budget isnt so tight anymore so it would be possible.

**howardtopher** · 04-25-2006, 03:46 PM

Another question that maybe will help solve this problem.

When I first installed and was testing, I tried to use the cigarette lighter and the inverter would sounds its alarm and not power up. So, I knew that was a bad idea right away. Now I have a ligher-like plug that I wired in myself and it goes directly to the battery. Should that be run directly to the alternator instead? My system runs fine when its not too hot, but as the temp gets warmer outside is when i start to have problems.

Originally Posted by madkad

Why dont you plug it into the mains and see if the pc is the problem?

I have tried plugging the computer into the house and running everything and it works beautifully. I know its either the alternator or the inverter. The inverter is aging, but then again so is the alternator. I've tried to figure this out and its got me stumped.

You guys think an 150watt opus would run this? Ive been using psu calculators and things and I'm not thinking its going to work, but maybe I'm messing up somewhere?

**TruckinMP3** · 04-25-2006, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by howardtopher

My system runs fine when its not too hot, but as the temp gets warmer outside is when i start to have problems.

This is a bit of information that is important.

How are the components cased?

Do you have good air flow to the: inverter, RAM, HD, and CPU?

Some or all of your issues are heat related. This is very common.

**howardtopher** · 04-25-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by TruckinMP3

This is a bit of information that is important.

How are the components cased?

Do you have good air flow to the: inverter, RAM, HD, and CPU?

Some or all of your issues are heat related. This is very common.

The PC is sitting in the floor board of the back seat and the power inverter is under the drivers seat. I'm pretty confident about the air flow through the case of the PC, but maybe its not sufficient. I've always suspected the inverter as I used to keep it under the hood and it hardly ever worked and moving it to the interior of the car helped out massively. I will pull the PC out and try playing with things to see if I can get the airflow any better in there.

**TruckinMP3** · 04-25-2006, 05:31 PM

Sounds like the right place to start. You may find more than one issue.
I would recommend starting with better cooling for the inverter.
Under the seat with a good fan is pobably ok, or out in the open for awhile to test it as the primary suspect.

**Specimen** · 04-25-2006, 06:36 PM

I doubt it’s your alternator. If it was your alternator, your car wouldn't be able to run at all while you are driving. When it does die does it work after unplugging the computer from the inverter, or do you have to unplug the inverter from the battery? My guess from what you have told us is that the inverter is overheating and is turning itself off through an internal switch that monitors overheating. These regulators will then reset themselves after removing power for a few seconds like you have been doing. But motherboards and
Power supplies also have this feature so it could be your computer is shutting its self off also.

I would junk the inverter and get a DC-DC. DC-DC are more efficient and you’re not wasting so much power converting from DC-AC then AC-DC.