need help: Using Laptop

Sinabl · 03-10-2007, 11:25 AM

Ok i plan on using my old laptop for my carputer. I'm going to install it under the drivers seat and i will hook up the power chord to the inverter which is hooked into the 10A cigarette lighter hole. My question is this:

How do i turn on and off the laptop without having to bring it out from underneath the drivers seat each time. Basically, what i want to know is how do i turn it on, what happens when i turn off the car.

This is my very first post and i just registered 2 minutes ago.

What do i need (im looking for the cheapest solution) and where do i get it?

Thanks!

gadu^ · 03-10-2007, 11:46 AM

I have the same setup, but my laptop is in a docking station which has a easy access to the power switch. That would be an idea to find a something similar. Although, it is not a good idea to have a computer under the seats. There's FAQ informing you about it.

Nothing will happen when you turn the car of, unless the cigarett lighter is turned off. Then of course your laptop will run on its own batteries.

acollaro · 03-10-2007, 02:18 PM

Check out the faq emoporium there's a lot of great info there that will teach you a lot of what you don't realize you don't know

Sinabl · 03-11-2007, 01:19 AM

in the FAQ, i read about why a carputer shouldnt be installed under the car seat. This shouldnt affect me because its a laptop and not an open box pc with wires everywhere. Now as for the power, the faq mainly talked about dc-dc power supplies. I plan on using an inverter. My question is how do i turn on and off the laptop without having to bring it out from underneath the seat each time.

thanks!!

2k1Toaster · 03-11-2007, 01:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sinabl

in the FAQ, i read about why a carputer shouldnt be installed under the car seat. This shouldnt affect me because its a laptop and not an open box pc with wires everywhere. Now as for the power, the faq mainly talked about dc-dc power supplies. I plan on using an inverter. My question is how do i turn on and off the laptop without having to bring it out from underneath the seat each time.

thanks!!

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...=inverter+auto

And as for the inverter, do not power it from the cigarette lighter. Power it from a wire directly connected to the battery, and tripped by a relay off the ignition line so it is only on when the car is on, but the power is coming from a good source.

The cigarette lighter port is not meant to power computers.

Standard maheriano picture:

Thefdog · 03-12-2007, 08:43 PM

Do a little searching, as this topic has been covered repeatedly.

You have to either wire a switch in parallel with the switch on your laptop or docking station that is routed somewhere you can reach easily, like youe dash, or;

You can manufacture a mechanical device that presses the power button remotely, or;

If your laptop supports it, you can have it wake from a signal to the modem or network ports. This is usually a setting in the BIOS.

I'm sure I am missing some things that will work also. I personally have a laptop in the trunk in a docking station. The power switch on the dock is wired to a pushbutton near my lighter to power the lappie on and off if required.

For laptop power, either invest in a Carnetix power supply, or buy the appropriate DC-DC laptop converter and wire it as discussed above. A DC-AC inverter will introduce noise and static to your system.

Good luck

mwmcginn · 03-12-2007, 09:36 PM

I am using a switched power source om mine with w3bmstrs auto on module. I am sticking with dc, using a 120 watt kensington power supply.

bimmeracer · 04-30-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mwmcginn

I am using a switched power source om mine with w3bmstrs auto on module. I am sticking with dc, using a 120 watt kensington power supply.

Where can I find this module?

Blaz3 · 04-30-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...=inverter+auto

And as for the inverter, do not power it from the cigarette lighter. Power it from a wire directly connected to the battery, and tripped by a relay off the ignition line so it is only on when the car is on, but the power is coming from a good source.

The cigarette lighter port is not meant to power computers.

Standard maheriano picture:

love the graphics!

Maheriano · 05-23-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Standard maheriano picture:

2k1Toaster · 05-23-2007, 03:31 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Maheriano

I was wondering when you would find that.

That picture I originally made for you to illustrate the evil of cig lighters.

Turns out I have used it many many occasions now!

No hard feelings.

Maheriano · 05-23-2007, 03:54 AM

haha no worries, but mine didn't have the laptop, it's altered!

2k1Toaster · 05-23-2007, 03:57 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Maheriano

haha no worries, but mine didn't have the laptop, it's altered!

true. I do remember I had to alter it because there was someone who did not believe that laptop and computer were the same deal, but I cant find the original one... Oh well. It still gets the message accross.

And isnt it getting pretty late in Calgary? 3am-ish?

Maheriano · 05-23-2007, 04:11 AM

Ya but when you leave work at noon to go see 300 in IMAX, that's generally frowned upon by management when you're the sole software developer on a major project. So I don't need to be anywhere in the morning.

bimmeracer · 05-28-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bimmeracer

Where can I find this module?

?