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psyrex · 06-06-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ComputerGeek

I believe psyrex is referring to a 12v regulator

Well, not necessarily. (j2flo, this is tech stuff you don't need to know yet.) A regulator (linear or switching) generally refers to devices that deliver the voltage desired and dumps the rest. This might work in a car cuz the battery/alternator is at 13.8v, and a decent linear regulator will still be able to deliver 12v no problem (more headroom is nice, though). If you're doing 12v unregulated to 12v regulated, you'll need some sort of buck-boost topology, and that's usually referred to as a converter. Marketing-wise, sadly, the names are interchangeable.

j2flo...
cig sockets: well, of course you should be able to stick it into both sockets, but, um, don't you want to eventually hardwire everything to be a smoother install? I don't think of cig sockets as a limited factor in how many devices to install. By hardwiring, you also sidestep a potential problem of loose connections or low amperage stock wiring.

12V DC-DC converters/regulators: try the ones in the mp3car store.

06-06-2007, 12:47 PM	#5
psyrex Maximum Bitrate psyrex's CarPC Specs Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oakland, CA Vehicle: 2002 Lexus IS300 Posts: 530 My Photos: ()	Quote: Originally Posted by ComputerGeek I believe psyrex is referring to a 12v *regulator* Well, not necessarily. (j2flo, this is tech stuff you don't need to know yet.) A regulator (linear or switching) generally refers to devices that deliver the voltage desired and dumps the rest. This might work in a car cuz the battery/alternator is at 13.8v, and a decent linear regulator will still be able to deliver 12v no problem (more headroom is nice, though). If you're doing 12v unregulated to 12v regulated, you'll need some sort of buck-boost topology, and that's usually referred to as a converter. Marketing-wise, sadly, the names are interchangeable. j2flo... cig sockets: well, of course you should be able to stick it into both sockets, but, um, don't you want to eventually hardwire everything to be a smoother install? I don't think of cig sockets as a limited factor in how many devices to install. By hardwiring, you also sidestep a potential problem of loose connections or low amperage stock wiring. 12V DC-DC converters/regulators: try the ones in the mp3car store.