Power up front (laptop in back)

pshadwick · 02-09-2006, 12:56 PM

I have an older Dell lattitude laptop under the rear seat of my 2001 Silverado.
I need power up at the dash to power a hub and the Xenarc (still being installed). I also want to power a dvd player up front.
If I was using a regular PC I'd have a power supply that I could tap off. Not so easy with the laptop.
The laptop is mounted into a docking station. I intend to tap into the docking station power switch to contol power on up front. Is there someplace in the docking station or using one of the docking station ports that I can get 12v and 5v to run up front. This would (presumably) give me control so that when the laptop powers off so do the other devices.
Thanks...Paul

pshadwick · 02-09-2006, 01:41 PM

I understand I may be able to get voltage from the PS2 port. Is this correct? What voltage?
...Paul

VCS · 02-09-2006, 02:08 PM

The PS2 port does have ~5volts. You don't plan on powering any devices with that signal, do you? It can't provide much current. You may want to look into using a couple of these http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...roducts_id=138. I can't tell from the description if they power up with an accessory signal of not. If not a relay connected to the docking station USB 5V signal (enough current to power a relay) could be used to switch them on with the laptop.

pshadwick · 02-09-2006, 02:20 PM

Looks like that might work.
Thanks...Paul

VCS · 02-09-2006, 02:23 PM

Good luck!

pshadwick · 02-09-2006, 04:06 PM

Just wondering if I'd be better off with this
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...roducts_id=124
May be a little overkill but not much more expensive that two of the point of load devices and provides more capacity should I want to do something different later.
Am I missing something or does this provide all the functionality and more?
Thanks...Paul

VCS · 02-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Yes, that would work perfectly well. In some ways better, for instance, greater possible power output. And if you ever ditch the laptop and go with and ATX/ITX, you can use that one with one of the smaller power supplies that just needs a regulated 12V source, and not have to buy a full blown solution like the Opus's.

I only recomended the Opus POL's since I know of them, and have had good expirences with their other products.