M2-atx off HU power or not

**sirixamo** · 11-26-2006, 02:57 PM

Hello folks, I'm getting ready to put the m2-atx in, and was wanting to power it off the HU power line. It would be quite easy to do, but I have heard mixed reviews of it on the boards. I am not powering much with the m2, I am far under its specs (HD (new sata2), LCD, via c3, that's it), and would like to avoid running things to the battery and putting holes in the firewall as much as possible, but I wanted to ask your opinions first. I have read of people that it has worked fine for, and think its ok, and I have read people that are vehemently against it. So, recommend it or not, and why?

Thanks!

**DJiK** · 11-26-2006, 04:23 PM

It all comes down to this.

**sirixamo** · 11-26-2006, 05:32 PM

What's standard HU size cable? 10 gauge?

**DarquePervert** · 11-26-2006, 05:37 PM

More like 16-18awg

**sirixamo** · 11-26-2006, 05:45 PM

Ouch, well, here's a thought, I don't want to put any more holes in the firewall (I'm just not that secure in my ability to do that and I don't have a metal drill bit), but I believe I have 1 or 2 gauge wire running back to my 2 amps in the trunk, could I possibly splice into that somewhere near the front and run a wire off of that to my PC (which is in double din slot)? I can't imagine that the amps are using the full power of that wire (i'm not 100% sure on it's gauge, but it is over .25 in. in diameter).

Any suggestions would be great

**DarquePervert** · 11-26-2006, 05:47 PM

Two words: distribution block

**sirixamo** · 11-26-2006, 07:49 PM

So, I would run the amp power cable to a distribution block, then run the same gauge back to the amp, and an 8-gauge to the PC? Does that sound about right?

**com2soft** · 11-27-2006, 12:06 AM

i used run an inverter off dis block. it run fine with a manual computer switch. so i think you may want to add a manual switch too.

**sirixamo** · 11-27-2006, 09:15 AM

I have an inverter, but I'd rather run the power straight to the board, since I'd rather it turn on with the car instead of with a switch, and I think the m2-atx is easier to hook up to a power line than plugged into an inverter.