CarMac Process... Needs Guide Lines!

tomazws · 04-26-2007, 01:13 PM

Hi! I've been reading this forum for the past year or so, and decided it is time for me to get into action! So I wanted to create a thread to take pictures of the process and also to ask you the professionals if I come across any questions or uncertainties. Thank you!

This is what I have so far:
iBook G3 600MHz PowerPC / 384MB SDRAM - $150.00
Lilliput EBY701 7" Touchscreen LCD - $190.00

The next thing I need is a *good* and stable DC/DC power adapter for the iBook G3. I've looked around almost everywhere, and this is the only product I've found:
http://www.akumen.com/product/92/

My question is... is that product good? Which DC/DC adapter would you recommand? Or should I go with the DC/AC Inverter, and then simply use my stock AC/DC adatper that comes with the iBook? Or... don't plug it in, when I get back home just take the laptop out and plug it into the wall..?

Thank you!

timeshifter · 04-26-2007, 01:32 PM

Have you considered the Carnetix 2140? Not sure if it puts out a high enough voltage - 20 V max I think. But, you're probably going to need power for other things and this is a very nice unit.

tomazws · 04-26-2007, 01:38 PM

The iBook requires 24V / 1.875A (45W?). I'm not sure if the Carnetix would be compatible.

If the device requires 24V and 1.875A = 45W,
can i use adapters that output 12V and 3.75A = 45W?

Or that's a big NO NO?

timeshifter · 04-26-2007, 01:51 PM

Try posting over at the forums on carnetix.com. I've gotten lots of good help there. Very impressed.

tomazws · 04-26-2007, 03:20 PM

Using a power inverter would be neat, since I'm using a laptop, I don't have to care if the inverter can survive crank or not (please correct me).

I could simply get a Belkin PC Anywhere or whatever brand they have out there?

natedawgg · 04-26-2007, 04:49 PM

if it were me and i was using a laptop instead of desktop, i would go with the dc/ac converter instead of a dc/dc. it would really save on the install time. then all you would have to do is figure out were to keep it in the car. but that is just me.

tomazws · 04-26-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by natedawgg

if it were me and i was using a laptop instead of desktop, i would go with the dc/ac converter instead of a dc/dc. it would really save on the install time. then all you would have to do is figure out were to keep it in the car. but that is just me.

That means i'll have a DC/AC inverter and an amplifier connected to the car battery right?

natedawgg · 04-26-2007, 06:38 PM

yeah but that would be the same setup if you had a dc/dc too. either way you have to suck some power from your battery to keep this thing going. the benifits for dc/dc is that it will control the startup/shutdown sequence, but you have to "hack" into the power supply to do this. dc/ac you control the startup/shutdown but all the hadware is left alone. being that you are using a mac putting to and waking from sleep is easy to do

blown_mx5 · 04-26-2007, 10:43 PM

i would use one of these
http://us.kensington.com/html/6328.html

you will probably have to configure the power options to sleep quickly if there is no power input (running on battery)

tomazws · 04-27-2007, 12:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blown_mx5

i would use one of these
http://us.kensington.com/html/6328.html

you will probably have to configure the power options to sleep quickly if there is no power input (running on battery)

Nice find! I think I'll go with this