Carputer newb with questions

explod1ng_b0y · 09-25-2003, 06:47 PM

Okay, so I'm new to this whole carputer thing, and I have a few quick questions.

Here's the parts I'm using:

Via Epia M1000 mini itx motherboard
Maxtor 40 gig hdd
MSI 16x dvd-rom
Either a sparkle 180w psu or a shuttle 150w psu.
JVC KD-SX780 deck which I'll be hooking the sound up to
Sharp 7" Active Matrix TFT LCD screen.

Building it isnt a problem, but my major concern is power consumption. Will those power supplies be sufficient? more than sufficient? and I know I need some type of inverter, but which kind, and if so will I need an amp also? Are there any other power solutions? any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if this, or something similar has been posted already.

Thanks,
Jonathan

PHoeNiX · 09-26-2003, 12:59 AM

Hi dude,
Im also a n00b but i think I can answer a few of ya questions.
The 180w PSU should be plenty!
I assume you need the Inverter for the LCD? Not sure, but if so a small 75w one will be plenty! Unless your PSU isnt DC - DC then you will be running your PSU off the inverter too, in wich case id go for a 300w!
I think youll only NEED an amp if you Head unit sux or to Drive a Nice Sub.
Other power soloutions? How about a small reactor in the boot? j/k :P

PHoeNiX_

explod1ng_b0y · 09-26-2003, 01:06 AM

thanks for your help. Yeah my power supply wont be dc, It's a mini power supply for comps that sparkle power makes and I know I'm gonna need an inverter to plug that into, I just dont know a lot about wattage and and all that and have no idea if just an inverter is sufficient or I need an amp.

PHoeNiX · 09-26-2003, 01:21 AM

What do you mean an amp? I assumed you ment for Audio.

SiGmA_X · 09-28-2003, 04:50 AM

explod1ng_b0y - Learn, process, ask. Your computer PSU's will not help you with a car. Get a cheap Inverter, a 300w (Major over kill for a VIA... I run my VIA on a 300w Inverter and a 90w PSU) inverter off of eBay, and run any PSU on it. You can run with less wattage for your computer. An amp has nothing to do with your power problems (Or lack there of, if you had mentioned an Inverter in your first post, I would have not commented

) at all. I think you are prob good to go if you just get the inverter and wire it all up

As I have found, you don't need a ****load of power for either a VIA or LCD. My LCD uses ~11w and my VIA uses well under 90w (I think closer to 40w..)

I am looking for a 150w inverter presentlly, so I can stop wasting battery power.

PHoeNiX - Amps are used for speakers too, and not just because HU's suck. I am tossing either one multi-chan amp, or 2 two-chan amps into my Jetta so I can get good front/back sound. And then another amp for dual 12" Rockford Fosgate 500wRMS subs

disgruntled · 09-13-2005, 10:16 PM

If you're looking for a cheap set up, then scrounge up any ATX PSU laying around your house, wired up a 300w inverter, then plug everything in and go, infact, if you the inverter route, you can save a $hitload of money by using regular ATX or mini ATX set up (personal preference for the socket 370). But for a "proper" set up, people would go for a mini ITX set up, with the preferred 90watt setup, when doing this, you will need laptop components (HDD, optical drive), some means to regulate the power coming into the DC-DC PSU, and as an option, an intelligent shut down controller, other than that, it is possible to run the LCD off the PSU, a USB FM receiver, and a GPS receiver will really complete the package, any other peripheral are optional and are purely luxury option.

as for the amp, you will need it in order for you to get sound from your in vehicle computer to the speakers, bypassing the head unit altogether (going headless), or you can try and use a wireless FM modulator in junction with your current head unit (the sound quality is not as good), or if your HU are equipped with an AUX in, you can use that as well.