POS computer in car. (photos/links)

40till5 · 03-31-2007, 07:58 AM

I just got my hands on a PPC-123T (POS "type" CPU & 12" touchscreen in one)

Panel PC with 12.1" Color TFT LCD and IntelÂ® PentiumÂ® III/CeleronÂ® Processor - PPC-123T - Advantech

It is brand new & I only paid 185.00US.

I want to know overall what you guys think of going this route.

I have a old 71 Torino with bench seats & was thinking of just mounting it on the middle hump.

Not sure yet how I will power it, any ideas?

DarquePervert · 03-31-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 40till5

Not sure yet how I will power it, any ideas?

After looking at the datasheet, I can see that this is a tough one.
It requires 12v @ 1A and 5v @ 12A. While that's only 72 watts (12v X 1A + 5v X 12A = 12w + 60w = 72w).
Now, 72w is pretty paltry, however....
I don't believe there is a PSU or regulator that will output the voltage/amperage required for that unit.

The 12v @ 1A is easy enough. The tough part is the 5v @ 12A.
The Carnetix P1900 5v add-on module and the P1240 all put out only 3A on the 5v rail, so they won't work.

You may be stuck using an inverter for that POS (pun intended).

cMags · 03-31-2007, 10:39 AM

You could try to find a DC-DC converter that will take 12V in and put out 5V @12A. It would draw about ~6-7A at 12V depending on efficiency (100% efficiency would be 12V@5A - 5V@12A but perfect worlds are boring and make the math too easy

).

If you found a 12V-5V DC-DC regulator like that, you could power it with a regulator like this DSX12VD 140W DC-DC Regulator which would provide your 12V regulated for both 12Vin for the POS and the 5V regulator. It would also serve double duty by being a startup/shutdown controller and dealing with the variable input from the car.

Good luck trying to find that regulator though, unless someone here is better at Google than I am

Edit:
Looked at the Datasheet and it looks like there's three different models of this POS: AC, 24VDC, and 12VDC. Seems as if the PSU is internal. Gonna have to see which you have and figure out an appropriate power solution based on that. Good luck!

Aaron3262 · 03-31-2007, 12:02 PM

It would take some work but you could easily build a power supply to handle those requirements. In 2000 I built a 13.8vdc atx power supply. I got most of the parts for free as samples. The 5 volt regulator I used in the deisgn was a maxim 787, it can handle 5 amps. However they don't make this chip anymore. But if you found something similar you could parallel three of them for a total 15 amp output at 5 vdc. You would need to beef up your auxilary components (caps, inductors) as well to maintain a clean 5 volt 15 amp output and have an adequate heat sink. Then you could use other peoples suggestions on here to built a shutdown/startup circuit and you'd be all set. Like I said this wouldn't be the easiest solution but if you are like me and you enjoy a low buget challenging project this might be a viable option. Good luck.