Running car PC in home...

**a-ten** · 09-15-2006, 02:50 PM

Hey everyone,

I've just bought a VIA EPIA M10000 board with a Voom PC case and ATX-M1 DC-DC power supply.

I want to get it up and running but don't really want to have to do it all in my car. Will it be possible to use a 12v adaper from the mains electric and just connect it up to the power supply? I thought I could split the + wire into two and have a switch on one so that it acts like an ignition

Will I need to do anything about current?

What do you all think?

Andy

**DarquePervert** · 09-15-2006, 02:57 PM

There is a FAQ written just for you: FAQ: How do I power my DC-DC PSU on my workbench?

In the future, please be aware that there are a number of informational FAQs that cover nearly any vehicle computing topic and any question that might come to mind. Searching for keywords related to your questions will likely yield information you need/want.

Good luck with your project and be sure to show us photos when it's completed!

**a-ten** · 09-15-2006, 03:04 PM

Thanx DarquePervert. I do know how annoying reposts can be but this time I was unable to find what I was looking for....

point taken tho

**96TransAm** · 09-15-2006, 04:53 PM

Wow...a Polite search first post from Perv.

**a-ten** · 09-15-2006, 05:05 PM

I've read the faq post and not being familiar with the 3 to 4 pin adapters etc (only very recently statted looking inside computers) I'm not finding it that easy to follow.

However, it seems all that really needs to done is get 12v to the DC-DC PSU so would a simple 12v transformer not suffice?

At this very moment I'm about to hack into some wires from an old 12v adapter I've found so if you don't hear from me again the answer is probably no

Andy

**a-ten** · 09-15-2006, 05:26 PM

On second thoughts, most 12v transformers only give current of mA so I guess you need an ATX to get the kind of current we're talking about?

**DarquePervert** · 09-15-2006, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by a-ten

On second thoughts, most 12v transformers only give current of mA so I guess you need an ATX to get the kind of current we're talking about?

You can also get a dedicated 12vDC power supply that puts out enough amperage to power your setup. Most of us don't have the money or desire to purchase a DC power supply just for this purpose, but do have ATX power supplies lying around.
As was stated in that FAQ, it's an inexpensive way to test & configure your DC-DC PSU inside.

**Zoltan** · 09-15-2006, 11:43 PM

Provided you have XP Pro or Media Center Edition installed, once the carputer works, you can use Remote Desktop through you're home network.

The only pain is that you have to set up a login password on your carputer, so I do so before each remote session, then remove the password, when I'm done. Otherwise it works like a champ from the comfort of my couch.

**PatO** · 09-16-2006, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Zoltan

Provided you have XP Pro or Media Center Edition installed, once the carputer works, you can use Remote Desktop through you're home network.

The only pain is that you have to set up a login password on your carputer, so I do so before each remote session, then remove the password, when I'm done. Otherwise it works like a champ from the comfort of my couch.

NetMeeting will work on all other versions.

**a-ten** · 09-16-2006, 05:21 AM

Guys,

I'm still a bit confused about making a connector to mimic a live motherboard.... I've drawn a diagram of what I think DarquePervert is getting at, could you possibly tell me if I'm right/wrong. I expect its the latter.

Andy