Laptop PSU controller

ephyouckay · 12-24-2006, 03:34 PM

Im going to be hooking up an inspiron 4150 laptop in my car and i wanted to know what the best power supply would be to use? should i go with carnetix? and which model would be most suitable for me?

billmee · 12-25-2006, 11:19 AM

Your laptop needs 19 or 20v right?
You could go cheap and use an ebay sourced car laptop adapter ($20)

Do you want it to be controlled by the acc signal from your car?
Then you should pony up for a carnetix CNX-P1900 that will give you startup shutdown control.

Do you plan on adding a tochscreen?
the CNX-P1900s second output will provide a regulated 12v for that.

Do you plan on adding a usb hub?
CNX-P1900 + optional third output will provide +5v.

anonim · 12-26-2006, 02:57 PM

From what I can tell, the Carnetix outputs regulated voltage via regular wires.. How do I use it if I have a laptop with a DC/DC adapter? Will I have to cut the adapter wire to splice it into the Carnetix?

Ideally, I'd like the regulator to have a cigarette lighter connector that I can plug my laptop's DC/DC adapter into.

Is there such a thing? Am I being paranoid by connecting the laptop through a regulator? Even better would be a regulator with two cigarette lighter connectors so that I could plug in both the touchscreen and the laptop. But I would need one 15V/5A connector for the laptop and a 12V for the screen.

DarquePervert · 12-26-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by anonim

From what I can tell, the Carnetix outputs regulated voltage via regular wires.. How do I use it if I have a laptop with a DC/DC adapter? Will I have to cut the adapter wire to splice it into the Carnetix?

No splicing. Just use the Carnetix. You might need to cut off the connector that goes intot he laptop and wire that to the output from teh Carnetix, although you can probably purchase teh proper connector somewhere, as well.

Quote:

Ideally, I'd like the regulator to have a cigarette lighter connector that I can plug my laptop's DC/DC adapter into.

Is there such a thing? Am I being paranoid by connecting the laptop through a regulator? Even better would be a regulator with two cigarette lighter connectors so that I could plug in both the touchscreen and the laptop. But I would need one 15V/5A connector for the laptop and a 12V for the screen.

No, there is no such thing. Yes, you're being paranoid.
The laptop car adapter does its own regulation, so there is no need for a seperate regulator. The Carnetix unit (if you choose to go that route) would be used in place of the laptop car adapter.

anonim · 12-26-2006, 03:45 PM

Thanks for that information DarquePervert, I was somewhat confused before.

My issue now is that the laptop I plan to use requires 15V/5A. The Carnetix models I've seen have switchable voltages, but none of them provide 15V. Is there any PSU that outputs 15V (need 75watts)?

If not, I may have to get the single-output Carnetix to power my 12V screen, and get a separate DC/DC adapter for the laptop (I've found one with 15V/5A).

neilhart · 12-26-2006, 05:28 PM

Go to the Lind Electronics web sit and look at the options.
Check out this page:
http://www.lindelectronics.com/cgi-b...ters?industry=

These PSUs don't offer on/off switch controls but avoid using inverters with laptops. Implementing a simple relay control on/off to protect your car battery from draining is fairly simple.

Anyway I use one of the Lind units to power my Samsung Q1 (mounted on a transportable bracket that I move between my truck and the blue vett).

Neil

ephyouckay · 01-06-2007, 01:04 AM

ok... i want to go with a carnetix... which model would be suitable for my setup. wil the 1900 be fine?

i believe it is a 20v. it says 50-60hz, 20v, ac 100v, 3.5A, 120VA on the charger.

im looking to run my lilliput and dell 4150 off of a carnetix so that i have auto shutdown and startup on both hardware. the usb hub will be powered through the lappy its actually a notebook fan cooler and usb hub built into it anbd it connects via usb.

Ruffy · 01-06-2007, 01:26 AM

welcome to my world. Im still debating on what I should do.

Do I get a carntix 2140 and use it to power my laptop + 12v devices(screen, misc lighting), and add on the 5+ POL adapter for a total of about $160

Or do I get a cheap laptop auto/air adapter off ebay($50), use that AND the carnetix 1290 to provide 12+/5+ power for my devices for a total of about $150

Or spend the big bucks and get a LIND adapter for $120, then get a carnetix 1290 for another $100 for a total of $220

or the Carnetic p1900 and the 5V adapter to do it all as well, for around $130

not including shipping and extra wiring.

choices, choices. In the end theres not much difference in them. Price difference isnt much. As It stands im thinking of using the Carnetix 2140 because of its usb interface.

Ruffy · 01-06-2007, 01:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by ephyouckay

ok... i want to go with a carnetix... which model would be suitable for my setup. wil the 1900 be fine?

i believe it is a 20v. it says 50-60hz, 20v, ac 100v, 3.5A, 120VA on the charger.

im looking to run my lilliput and dell 4150 off of a carnetix so that i have auto shutdown and startup on both hardware. the usb hub will be powered through the lappy its actually a notebook fan cooler and usb hub built into it anbd it connects via usb.

p1900 is fine.
Primary output set to 20v will power your laptop
Secondary output set to 12v will power your screen
Add-on 5v output will power your usb devices($25)

the usb hub will be starved for power if you add a couple things. the laptop itself will only provide 500mA. It's best to power the usb hub with another regulator ($25)

I have one of those notebook fan coolers, it has a hub and 9n1 memory card slot, it needs more than just one plug to really work well. if i fill in all the usb slots with my devices things start to go funky.

klundy · 01-09-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by neilhart

Anyway I use one of the Lind units to power my Samsung Q1 (mounted on a transportable bracket that I move between my truck and the blue vett).

Neil

Neil - I'm debating the Q1. Two questions:

1) how do you like it as a CarPC.
2) what bracket are you using?

Thanks

Jir1984 · 02-12-2007, 07:40 PM

hey guys..quick question if i can...the last post was in january so im not sure if this is up to date...but im adding a latitude d600 to my car...and i needed a power supply for both my touchscreen and laptop. Ive built 2 carputers..one with a inverter and external shutdown..and one with a built in dc/dc powersupply and shutdown so im some what familiar with carputers....just a little confused with laptops. If i buy this Carnetix CNX-P1900 Ver. 2.2 Dual Output 140 Watt 12V DC-DC Regulator ...i can power my laptop and lcd...then i can just get a Carnetix CNX-P5V 15 Watt +5V Regulator..add that onto the p1900....to power my other usb connections right?...the only other question is how do i connect the carnetix to my laptop. Do i need to get a car adaptor..then cut of the tip and wire it to the carnetix..or do i need to open up my laptop some how..find the motherboard and fool around with that $h*t?...once i get this power regulator connected to my laptop...do i need to buy something else inorder to turn the laptop on....or is this startup and shutdown controller already do the trick...if so..how does it send a signal to my laptop if its external...please let me know if anyone can help...appreciate the help guys...i feel ashamed that i sold my old carputer..miss it too much and need to get back in the game

sexy6s · 05-14-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jir1984

hey guys..quick question if i can...the last post was in january so im not sure if this is up to date...but im adding a latitude d600 to my car...and i needed a power supply for both my touchscreen and laptop. Ive built 2 carputers..one with a inverter and external shutdown..and one with a built in dc/dc powersupply and shutdown so im some what familiar with carputers....just a little confused with laptops. If i buy this Carnetix CNX-P1900 Ver. 2.2 Dual Output 140 Watt 12V DC-DC Regulator ...i can power my laptop and lcd...then i can just get a Carnetix CNX-P5V 15 Watt +5V Regulator..add that onto the p1900....to power my other usb connections right?...the only other question is how do i connect the carnetix to my laptop. Do i need to get a car adaptor..then cut of the tip and wire it to the carnetix..or do i need to open up my laptop some how..find the motherboard and fool around with that $h*t?...once i get this power regulator connected to my laptop...do i need to buy something else inorder to turn the laptop on....or is this startup and shutdown controller already do the trick...if so..how does it send a signal to my laptop if its external...please let me know if anyone can help...appreciate the help guys...i feel ashamed that i sold my old carputer..miss it too much and need to get back in the game

I to would like to know how this works. IIRC i think we have to crack open the case, and solder the + and - leads to the power button switch on the motherboard.....this way when power hits the P1900 it carries over and will pretend to "push" the power button creating the computer to come out or into hiberation mode....

someone please correct me if i'm wrong...i'm also trying to get my laptop powered in my car since my whole front end/gps is ready to go.

my question is would the P1900 be enough to power the laptop, screen, AND BU-353 that i got ? its USB.........or do i have to drop the extra $$ and spring for the extra 5V regulator?

sexy6s · 05-14-2007, 04:37 PM

I to would like to know how this works. IIRC i think we have to crack open the case, and solder the + and - leads to the power button switch on the motherboard.....this way when power hits the P1900 it carries over and will pretend to "push" the power button creating the computer to come out or into hiberation mode....

someone please correct me if i'm wrong...i'm also trying to get my laptop powered in my car since my whole front end/gps is ready to go.

my question is would the P1900 be enough to power the laptop, screen, AND BU-353 that i got ? its USB.........or do i have to drop the extra $$ and spring for the extra 5V regulator?

sexy6s · 05-15-2007, 01:34 PM

Does anyone have a write up? Or has someone else posted a How To: specifically for the P1900, or any other laptop power supply install. That would be amazing. If not i'll just have to do a write up myself and have it on here just incase any other newbies want to get a pictoral representation of whats going on...