Hi everyone. This is my first time installing a PC into a car and to be safe wanted to see if I could get some feedback in regards to using a fuse for the m2-atx PS. I have connected everything to the car and everything runs great. PC starts and shutdown just fine. But I was wondering if I needed to hook up a fuse to the positive on the M2-ATX just to be safe. Also is there any other precautions I need to look at??
It's allways nice to have lots of fuses. Let it be to many instead of to few.
You must install a fuse within 10 cm of the battery on the positive cable. Just to be at the safe side, fuse the monitor to - if it's connected to your powersupply.
Try to use the right fusesize. If your carputer measures 5 amp of usage, use a 7 or 10 amp fuse.
Another way of getting the right fuse is to try different sizes. Use a slightly bigger fuse than the largerst blown.
Thanks for that information. But what kinda of fuse do I need, I mean what amp? I'm using the M2-ATX with a micro atx, celeron, and a 7" lcd screen and that is all? How would i go about figuring out what amp to use for the fuse?
Read the FAQ section. You need to figure out how much power your MB and devices are using, and fuse accordingly. A good rule of thumb though, is a 10 amp fuse on a 12 gauge wire fromt he battery, with in 1 foot of the battery (and closer if possible) will be sufficient, but again, you should do a power calculator and figure out exactly.Originally Posted by tsx004
Michael
...I love the French language...especially to curse with...Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d'enculés de ta mère. You see, it's like wiping your *** with silk, I love it.
You could use a multimeter and measure it, or just try f.ex. 5 amp. If it blows, try 7 amp and so on.
That is not the proper, or even a good way. What if there is actually a short when he starts, or perhaps, an intermitant short that only shows up sometimes. He will start putting in fuses, which will blow immedaitely, until he reaches some arbitrary number. That could be 20, 30, 40 or more amps, all the while thinking, I have to keep going till I find a fuse that doesn't blow. And, if intermittant, he could put in a 7 amp, and not have a problem, drive, blow the fuse, then figure, I guess that was too little, time to up it, again, he could end up with a high amperage rating.
The BEST way is to figure out what the unit should be using, and fuse apprpriately. I could tell you to use a 10 or 20 amp fuse, and that might work, but it is not correct. I would DEFINITELY keep it under 20, and probably under 10 amps. If that blows, don't go higher, but again, that is not the proper way.
Michael
...I love the French language...especially to curse with...Nom de Dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperies de connards d'enculés de ta mère. You see, it's like wiping your *** with silk, I love it.
For non motor use, as a rule, the ampere rating
of a fuse and switch combination should be selected at 125% of
the continuous load current (this usually corresponds to the circuit
capacity, which is also selected at 125% of the load current).
There are exceptions, such as when the fuse-switch combination is
approved for continuous operation at 100% of its rating. Be sure not to select a fuse rating higher than the ampacity of the conductor used.
Loking at the specs for this P/S on the mp3car store, it states there is a 15 amp automotive fuse. 15*12=180W, which is close to this 125% thumbrule. The designer chose 112.5%. I'd go with the 15 amp fuse.
Great, thanks. So by putting a 15amp fuse everything should run pretty safely if anything goes wrong right? nothing will short circuit or burn anything right? Just want to be safe and not start a fire in the car.
With 15 amps you can max out your m2-atx. I use 7 amps with mine. More than enough for me. AMD Duron 1,2 MHZ, 2xSD-RAM, 7" touchscreen, 3,5" HDD, CD-ROM, fans and 1 amp draw from USB.
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