DC-DC or Inverter for Laptop? - Page 2

RedGTiVR6 · 06-14-2007, 10:32 AM

jwlionking - I'm sorry you feel the way you do. It's apparent that you have your views of the way others should act.

I would encourage you to take note that many times, newbies are provided with the information they requested, it's just not in the manner they probably hoped for. As a result, harsh responses ensue. No one deserves to be talked to in that manner, not an employee, not a newbie, and not a forum regular. It's a matter of mutual respect.

I provided the OP with the direction to help him find the solution he was looking for. Rather than politely state that he did not find the information he was looking for, he decided to react in the manner he did.

Different people have different views about what it means to assist others.

To many people on these forums, assisting other members means pointing them in the direction to find the information they requested. To other members, it means spoon feeding the information.

You cannot sit back and tell us that you believe one way is right while the other is wrong.

Pointing a member to the area where they can find the answer they are looking for IS being helpful.

As has been discussed many times on this forum, spoon feeding, while helpful initially, has proven to be detrimental to newbies learning experiences.

This is because they do not learn along the way. Many times, in searching for answers to questions, one will find other solutions that might not have been prevalent before. They might also stumble across another idea or an answer to a question they didn't even know they would have yet.

While this hobby is not extremely difficult, it is fairly technical. As such, an individual looking to build and install their own CarPC solution, needs to use technical research skills to fully understand what they are doing and how they should go about tackling this project.

I have helped a few newbies by doing as you clearly want us to do. One such newbie is now on his 3rd motherboard and 3rd power supply, all because he didn't bother researching the products he was purchasing or how to properly install them. It is simply impossible to hold an individuals hand through this entire process as there are too many variables. These variables are not fully realized until someone does a bit of the leg work on their own.

As part of my job with this company, I help large customers piece together systems on a bulk basis. Many times, the customer comes to us, expecting our company to handle all of the technical aspects of installing a PC in their application. This simply is not practical, nor is it a smart move on either parties part. Because of the different environments and different needs of each install, the approaching party must be willing to put forth the effort to fully understand the process that they are about to undertake. Without this, the project is doomed from the beginning.

wniemcow · 06-14-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

No one deserves to be talked to in that manner, not an employee, not a newbie, and not a forum regular. It's a matter of mutual respect.

"You get more bee's with honey then Vinegar. "

rosscarlson · 06-14-2007, 03:14 PM

Well I guess I've been out of the loop huh, I just got an email saying there was a reply and I come back to all this, WOW.

It AMAZES me that this comment set this flame war off:

Quote:

Thanks for the no-help reply

I mean if the moderators here have skin that thin I guess I should go somewhere else huh? To be clear on a few things:

- I DID search. Many times. I was specifically looking for someone that had either used either (DC-DC or inverter) and/or had specific knowledge on using them. I get the inefficeny of using an inverter, in the end I ordered a DC-DC regulator.

- I wasn't really trying to start a flame war, I just HATE "search and you'll find it" "look at the FAQ" type answers. If that's all you've got to say why say anything at all? I'm not an idiot, I read the FAQ and I searched first.

- I've run MANY forums in the past on technical subjects. In fact I am the founder and project leader for an open source project that gets about a million hits a month. We don't reply to our members like that.

So just wow. Still amazed that such a little comment would start this. People "warning" me about stuff? Sure am glad I haven't ordered anything from this site yet, you can bet I won't in the future, especially if the employees treat potential customers like this...

wniemcow thanks for the welcome, good to know there are some nice guys around here ;-)

Ross

wniemcow · 06-14-2007, 04:44 PM

What DC DC regulator did you order?

If you dont mind - could you take photos of install and possibly share with group?

I have a laptop and desktop at my disposal and the whole power thing is one of my issues - and i had a similar question as yours..

Man Red is good people - and i think misunderstanding is all this is..
bro we are all geeks with a similar interest (yes i am calling all of us geeks - i mean we are putting Computers in cars!! hehe

)

Lets get back to CARPUTING! Run a search for mustang - and look at post created by blkj - thats what i would like to do... (he has created a nice in dash setup for the 2005+ mustang) maybe once day he wil upgrade and i can trade/buy his hand me down

rosscarlson · 06-14-2007, 04:49 PM

wniemcow,

I got one off eBay for about $20 - I'm not near my PC now so I can't say which one. I'll post all the details as I start my work...

Ross

rinkk · 06-23-2007, 11:22 AM

I'm planning a laptop build as well so am interested in see examples of people's setups as a guide so please, do post pics of your work. Also, do you have a link for DC-DC regulator purchased on ebay?

keatonreckard · 06-23-2007, 12:47 PM

yeah i want to see the link tooo

roykabob · 06-26-2007, 01:02 PM

Most common DC-DC on eBay is the M1-ATX....just do a search.

red600rr · 07-18-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

wow - good luck on your own!

the information is there, you just choose to not read or search for it.

you're not going to haev much fun with this project at all...

especially considering this question get's asked almost DAILY around here...

Geez! the guy just needed help...not a lecture on how to use the forum. If you have time to reply a post, it doesn't hurt to throw in a couple of tips. If you hate the question, then ignore it and let others answer it. Don't discourage people. I wonder what they teach at engineering school nowadays.

breaker021 · 07-18-2007, 10:06 AM

blah blah blah - back onto the topic

as for the power inverter or dc-dc power supply, my answer will be it all depends.

i use my car only on weekends and do not commute with it so i dont really have a need to have a power converter installed into my car.

my tablet laptop has around 2.5 hours or more (depending on screen brightness) battery life which is more than enough for the usual around town running around.

when i go on roadtrips, i go with the laptop juiced, and maybe a couple of hours down the road, i use a single plug power inverter and start juicing my laptop from there.

yeah it's noisy but i can't really hear it over the music, and i dont blast my music. it gets the job done, was $50 (i know - i paid too much) but it does the trick.

i feel that if you use your car on a daily basis or you commute in the car for longer periods, then definitely go with the dc-dc solution. just qualify your need for it though - is it absolutely necessary? or do you need it only once in a while like myself?

plus, with the inverter, when my laptop is running off of battery, i can charge my phone or something else like that.

just a thought.

Jay_1.8t · 07-20-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by breaker021

blah blah blah - back onto the topic.

Good move.
Like the post above I would have to go with inverter if you do not plan on using the PC every day. I am getting ready to install my old laptop and I am going the way of inverter simply because it will only be turned on for roadtrips or shows since my daily commute is roughly 5 minutes one way.

DarquePervert · 07-20-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by roykabob

Most common DC-DC on eBay is the M1-ATX....just do a search.

What does this have to do with powering a laptop? An M1ATX is for ATX compatible motherboards, not laptops...

heezer7 · 08-22-2007, 11:19 PM

ha, I use to read this site all the time a few years ago, but after I finished my install in my previous car I stopped because of all the thread bashing on people like this. Now that I have had my new car for a year I am beginning my install and this is one of the first threads I happen to open on my first time back just browsing around to see what has changed. I see the attitudes have not.

jacksonloh0 · 08-23-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

as for the power inverter or dc-dc power supply, my answer will be it all depends.

I agree with this one, breaker021. I also use both PC and laptop in my carputer project. Having using both, I say it depends. Like customizing a normal PC, a gaming rig or a HTPC. If you are like me, i normally use my laptop for work and i find that a inverter is suitable and cheaper. In my country, that hardware cost a hole in my pocket.

And rosscarlson, welcome bro,

I feel sorry for you.