Ways to power the PC

Skywalker52 · 10-01-2009, 09:37 AM

Hi Guys

I thought I posted this question already, but I cant find it so I may not have pressed post. So anyway...

I have just noticed that a lot of people in the pictures that I have seen are powering the PC directly from the battery, ie running another set of leads off the battery. This makes me somewhat nervous (not being a car nerd and all). It also concerns me because that means I will probably have to make holes or cut into the car. So far I have worked ways around all of that.

My question is what other options do I have? I would like to make sure the PC is autonomous with the car, so it powers on when the key is turned to Acc and powers off (via shutdown controller) after the key is turned off (after giving the PC enough time to shut down cleanly). Obviously after that the controller will need to kill the power completely.

I guess I want to know if i need to wire the PSU straight to the battery, or can I tap into another power channel already within the car? Or can I maybe even use a capacitor or something.

Thanks

FirstAid · 10-01-2009, 09:43 AM

You need to run a cable from the battery, none of the cable's in the cabin of the car can carry the kind of current you need to draw.

justchat_1 · 10-01-2009, 10:24 AM

Not always true....

1. Do you plan on keeping the stock radio? If not, take a look at the fuse rating on its vBatt line.

2. Does your car have a power distribution block with open fuses?

3. If you do end up having to run to the battery there should be a wire grommet on one side of the firewall that you can expand and use to run the wire through. I have a 0 gauge power line that I ran without having to cut or drill anything.

Skywalker52 · 10-01-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by justchat_1

Not always true....

1. Do you plan on keeping the stock radio? If not, take a look at the fuse rating on its vBatt line.

2. Does your car have a power distribution block with open fuses?

3. If you do end up having to run to the battery there should be a wire grommet on one side of the firewall that you can expand and use to run the wire through. I have a 0 gauge power line that I ran without having to cut or drill anything.

1. Removing the stock radio completely. How would I check the fuse rating?

2. Uh... theres a panel under the steering wheel with a bunch of fuses in it...

3. OK, I'll take a look at that option too

Sorry for the complete n00b responses. I have no knowledge of cars at the moment, basically all the knowledge I do have has come from trying to put a PC inside one.

Give me a PC however and I can tell you whatever you need!

justchat_1 · 10-01-2009, 10:51 AM

1. Depends on your car...some cars will label what each fuse is right inside the fuse box. Others you will need to look in something like an owners manual for a chart.

2. Ok probably not the best option for you then lol

Skywalker52 · 10-01-2009, 08:57 PM

OK, so i'll check the fuses, but what exactly am I checking? Im assuming its going to depend on the amount of current the PC is drawing?

justchat_1 · 10-01-2009, 09:00 PM

Your checking the rating of the fuse...if its a 10 amp fuse your outta luck. But if you have a 20amp on there then you should be able to get away with a carpc as long as you don't go crazy.

soundman98 · 10-02-2009, 10:00 AM

just wanted to add that powering the pc diriectly from the battery is really better-- this way, you would know exactly where that wire is, and if you have any problems, you can know, without a doubt that it is not anything in the factory wire-- which could save you a lot of time trouble shooting.

also, even if the factory wire is adequate for a small carpc, i still don't trust it-- most cars use the smallest possible wire for each component that they plan on installing-- som anything that needs more power than the factory device your replacing could cause wire heat issues. that same fuse could also be powering more than one device.

jessekilner · 10-03-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by soundman98

just wanted to add that powering the pc diriectly from the battery is really better-- this way, you would know exactly where that wire is, and if you have any problems, you can know, without a doubt that it is not anything in the factory wire-- which could save you a lot of time trouble shooting.

also, even if the factory wire is adequate for a small carpc, i still don't trust it-- most cars use the smallest possible wire for each component that they plan on installing-- som anything that needs more power than the factory device your replacing could cause wire heat issues. that same fuse could also be powering more than one device.

I agree. infact my old 98 Sebring transmission's overdrive sensor ran on my backuplight fuse. So this gives you an idea that 1 fuse can certainly function other devices

malcom2073 · 10-03-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jessekilner

I agree. infact my old 98 Sebring transmission's overdrive sensor ran on my backuplight fuse. So this gives you an idea that 1 fuse can certainly function other devices

Well it's kinda difficult to use both at once. While being technically proper, that's a horrible shortcut way of doing it they probably used to save money of having to get a larger fuse box.

If you're going to power your PC improperly by this method, you should check two things:

1) You can NOT put a larger fuse in, so be sure your PC can run off what the fuse is for minus the load whatever other device that uses that fuse is already drawing. Use an amp-meter to check this!
2) The fuse does not already have two things powered off of it. It's possible they did the same thing, and assumed only one would be used at once so running a carpc off the fuse could blow it.

I reserve the right to laugh at you if you burn your car to the ground. And for the record.... cars burn excellently

justchat_1 · 10-03-2009, 02:01 PM

Nothing like positive encouragement lol

The wire im talking about is a constant vbatt line. Since just about everything else in a car runs off of switched power theres really a 99% chance its being used alone.

FirstAid · 10-06-2009, 03:48 AM

Why ask for advice and then ignore what the (experienced) majority have to say?

Skywalker52 · 10-06-2009, 04:00 AM

ok thanks for the input guys. I see that although I may be able to power it from the vbatt line to the head unit, it is probably going to be easier and safer to do it from the battery.

Next step trialing the GPS/Radio setup...

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