Install complete! Few notes, few ?s

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-06-2004, 10:25 AM

After about 2 weeks of work i've finally got my carputer up and running. Here are my components:

VIA 8000, 256 pc133 RAM, 16x dvd (full size), 60GB Hard drive (full size)
Case with built in 200watt power supply
Coleman 400 watt power inverter
Pyramid MV7SC 7.2 inch LCD
Running Media Engine

First Notes:
-I sincerely hope and pray NOONE buys the pyramid MV7SC unit for use with a carputer. The screen is grainy, it has VERY limited view range, and its near impossible to view prior to 10pm.
-The Coleman power inverter survives crank ( normal battery) and gives no interference in my system. Its not filtered in any way. Its a tad loud, but very livable when under the seat next to my carputer
-Via 8000 is virtually silent despite two fans blowing constantly

Now Questions:
- I'm getting refresh lines on my display. Is this just because its crappy or could it have something to do with grounding issues? The computer looks great when displayed on my 27" in the house.
- I have the sound output coming directly from the on board sound card via rca-headphone jack converter. When my subs hit, the display bends. Grounding issue?
- Will using S-video instead of RCA's help at all with clarity? I've seen that composite is limited to 240lines, what is the limit with S-Video?
-Lastly, is there a way to connect a switch that would allow soft shutdown or hibernation? There is a button on my keyboard that does this.

I truly appreciate all the help from this site. It would have taken months if not for you guys.

Quattro · 10-06-2004, 10:40 AM

Pics please, would love to see the install.

As for the lines on the display, it maybe a grounding issue. Also how do you have the screen powered?
I don't know about the s-video question.
You could use a shutdown controler with your inverter, this way you can do a complete shutdown or hibernation when you turn off your car and have it turn back on when the car is started again.

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-06-2004, 11:06 AM

Screen is powered by the remote wire coming from my amp so that the screen turns on when the ignition is turned on. Grounded to the radio ground. I'm running pretty crappy composite wires at this point simply because all of the good stuff is packed (I'm moving). Will the ITPS work with an inverter? I thought it was only meant for DC-DCs.

Quattro · 10-06-2004, 11:12 AM

You can use a ITPS with an inverter with out a problem. Some of the DC-DC ps come with a shutdown controller built in.

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-06-2004, 11:48 AM

K thanks.. that solves one question.

I'll get some pics tonight before and after i put my passenger seat back in

xelz · 10-06-2004, 12:18 PM

I have that same inverter. I also was getting noise lines on my screen (xenarc), but when plugged the computer using an extension cord from household outlet, the noise was gone.. someone on here suggested to wire from computer power supply, and I tried it and a clean picture came up.

Also I have a question, my doesn’t survive crank.. I was wondering how you wired your inverter. It might just be that I got unlucky and my inverter aight that good.

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-06-2004, 12:25 PM

Ok wait, you connected the hot wire from your xenarc to the hot wire from the power supply? I didnt think that was possible because of the AC/DC issue. My inverter is running straght to the battery using a 1 gauge wire and grounded to a strap connected on the passenger seat bracket. I did have some issues with it ALMOST dying out when i was just starting this.. but now it survives crank just fine.

xelz · 10-06-2004, 01:08 PM

on the psu side, i extended 2 wires from the molex connecter (4 wires thing that you power an internal cdrom or hard drive). the yellow wire (+12V) and the black wire, next to the yellow one (ground). I used a molex extension (with male on one side and female on the other) and tapped into that, so I didn’t have to tap into the wires of the psu.

On xenarc side: Then the extended wires, 12V and the ground were connected to the wires of the positive and the negative of the xenarc, respectively. This is where your positive is currently connected to your remote wire, and neg currently connected to your radio ground.

So on the inverter do you just turn it off and on with the flick of the switch on the coleman?

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-06-2004, 01:15 PM

I leave it on and send my comp into hibernation before i get out of the car. I'm trusting the coleman to do its auto shut-off if the voltage of the battery drops to low while it sits.

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-07-2004, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the tv power suggesting. I ran wires to the power supply and refresh lines are history! Per your request, here are pics

Screen and Radio

Mouse location

foldable keyboard

location of carputer/inverter

m3rdpwr · 10-07-2004, 05:26 PM

I have the same dashbord, alpine and pc case.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

-Mario

Sonicxtacy02 · 10-08-2004, 09:25 AM

U a .netter?

m3rdpwr · 10-08-2004, 09:28 AM

Me?

No.

Bought the case used for $20, the alpine for 1/2 price for discontinued. Mine is the high end one, but looks the same. I even accidently broke the tray off the cd drive, although I can't say if that's what happened to you. I have the Concorde though, looks like you have an LHS...

-Mario

Arathranar · 10-09-2004, 05:00 AM

What's that case? I haven't seen that one around.

m3rdpwr · 10-09-2004, 10:49 AM

Micro-ATX with 3 low profile slots.

Very special power supply that I haven't found a match to replace.

Unless of course you pull it out in favor of an opus or something...

-Mario

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