Ordered something to power my Xenarc with

pastypyro · 09-23-2005, 12:49 AM

Okay, I have one of the newer Xenarcs. It says it draws one amp and has an input range of 12 - 14 Volts. For now, the monitor has been directly connected to my ACC wire and the ground where my headunit used to be. This isn't ideal, but it works.

Now the problem arised when I installed my OPUS. I started getting BAD video noise, and sometimes the picture would even cut out. I had no noise in the video with powering the monitor the EXACT same way when I had my inverter setup. The other issue is that I have a 12V switched remote (12 gauge) wire running along my VGA cable to the rear of the car. I don't think this is enough to cause a problem. Now this is the remote wire for the OPUS, before it ran a relay to fire up the inverter.

I ordered this to power the monitor:

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/sto...oductId=155707

It is an ISOLATED DC to DC converter with wide input range. This keeps me from running more wires from the rear of the car and should clean up the power to the monitor.

What is your opinion on this solution?

Vinister · 09-23-2005, 12:58 AM

I have a long history with Xenarc monitors and their noise issues. In my experience, it is more important to ensure there is no power or ground difference between the motherboard or the monitor. That is, get the power and ground from the same place, as opposed to (or along with) running a second power supply.

Also in my experience, I have found the power and ground to the motherboard to have a much greater effect on video noise than the monitor's. That is - running a larger gauge wire, and a cleaner, shorter, ground, and grounding the monitor at the same place, is usually the answer.

.02

edit:
- since I looked at the power supply you're suggesting, I want to try it too!!!

aoLhaTer · 09-23-2005, 01:20 AM

Something interesting I discovered with Xenarcs is that the power ground wire does almost NOTHING! I wired up my screen with the ground wire on a switch so I could turn the screen on and off. I was surprised to find that cutting the ground wire does nothing and it ocassionally makes it less bright.
My conclusion is that its getting grounded by the VGA cable

Something to think about

greenman100 · 09-23-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by aoLhaTer

Something interesting I discovered with Xenarcs is that the power ground wire does almost NOTHING! I wired up my screen with the ground wire on a switch so I could turn the screen on and off. I was surprised to find that cutting the ground wire does nothing and it ocassionally makes it less bright.
My conclusion is that its getting grounded by the VGA cable

Something to think about

it is being grounded by the VGA cable, and that is likely creating a ground loop.

Just powe rit of fthe opus and be done with it. the scren will last longer with filtered DC