MY CARpute setup need some INPUT from YOU!

ericdee · 02-25-2004, 01:21 PM

hello everybody, this site has been a great help for me in builing a computer for my car. well, im kinda working on a budget so as much as possible im trying to get the cheapest, but also good... this is my setup

Epia M1000
256md ram
80gig HD
Morex 60w PSU + ITPS
External dvd/cdrw through firewire
7" Lilliput touch screen
Soundblaster Mp3+

now, do i connect the ITPS directly to the battery? i know most of you would say that i should just stick to OPUS, but for now i think this is the best i can do. maybe in the long run i might go with the OPUS.

for my external DVD will i ave to use an inverter? or could i also connect this to the ITPS then to the battery? as for the lilliput can i also do the same? i dont want to be using an inverter, i want it all directly connected to the battery and everything turns on once i start the car.... HELP!!! thanks in advance!

Confused · 02-25-2004, 01:23 PM

To be totally honest. GO WITH THE OPUS. You will waste more money getting a bad power setup than going straight for an Opus.

Power is the one thing people overlook, but it is the most important thing.

You won't regret getting an Opus.

Garry

ericdee · 02-25-2004, 01:33 PM

like i said, i know people would say OPUS. but for now, this is what my pocket can afford.

any answers to the other questions?

Confused · 02-25-2004, 01:40 PM

No offence, but people will say Opus because Opus is the best you can get.

Your pocket will like you MUCH better if you save the $70 or whatever you're spending on the Morex and ITPS and put that towards an Opus, rather than spending that, PLUS the extra $$ on an Opus when you find that the others don't work as well as you want.

Believe me, i've been there, and I am regretting not getting an Opus straight off.

The cheapest way to do a Carputer setup is the right way.

If, however, you don't take my experience from putting myself out of pocket, and decide to waste your money on the Morex/ITPS, then yes, in theory you can just connect them to the battery, through a fused wire. I would however connect the +12V for the screen into the power supply for a much cleaner signal (of course this is going on your use the Opus which is regulated)

Garry

ericdee · 02-25-2004, 01:59 PM

what's going to be the downside of my setup (morex 60w+ ITPS) as to OPUS?im going for the morex+ITPS because the case i got came with the MOreex 60w already... but thanks for the suggestion. eventually il go for the OPUS

bambooracer · 02-25-2004, 02:33 PM

Downsides with the ITPS as far as I can see:
- computer will lose power when starting the engine (cranking)
- computer may not run while the engine is off
- fewer devices: ITPS and Morex have a 60W max, Opus is 90-150W

You probably won't be able to power the external DVD drive off the ITPS+Morex. Search for power calculator or power simulator to get an idea of your power requirements. I believe full size CDROMs consume a lot of power.

Cherub211 · 02-25-2004, 03:21 PM

Geez, this is a common theme here, I'm glad people are asking though instead of wasting money. Here's the deal: the ITPS/morex deal will probably work for your computer, the external DVD drive will have to run off an inverter. The computer will not survive cranking but if you use the ITPS the way it's supposed to be used, you computer won't turn on until after you are done cranking anyway. The computer will not work while the car is off. Check the power calculator at www.mini-box.com to see what you'll be limited to as far as power. I know these things because I've hand built an ITPS using the original schematics and I've tested the three I built extensively.

Mister Six · 02-26-2004, 12:04 AM

Cherub211

Sorry to drift off topic like this but... I see your in meda AZ. so your no stranger to heat

How do you deal with heat and the carputer? Has it been a problem for you?

Thanks,
Chris

Cherub211 · 02-26-2004, 09:08 AM

Well... I have yet to actually deal with the heat to be honest. My computer is not in the car yet. However, I have prepared of it. I'm using a case from www.clearpc.ca to house my VIA board, the board is already cooler than most, the case has two 80mm fans (in and out) and the board stands about 1/2 an inch off the side of the case. The case also has alot of extra room in it, it's not a cramped little thing. The computer will sit in my trunk which is generally cooler than the greenhouse of a passenger compartment. The case has alot of air going in and out of it. With temperatures around 120F though, we'll see this summer. I'll let you know. We'll start a new forum for heat management. ha. My desktop has a 120mm fan running full tilt if that gives you any indication.

yuprules · 02-26-2004, 10:32 AM

I wanted to check out that case, but is the site down? Wrong URL?

Cherub211 · 02-26-2004, 10:35 AM

erm... it works for me, let me try something more specific

http://www.clearpc.ca/samples.html
I used the "micro"

yuprules · 02-26-2004, 10:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cherub211

erm... it works for me, let me try something more specific

http://www.clearpc.ca/samples.html
I used the "micro"

I get this page:

File Not Found

The file you requested was not found on this server.

If you entered the URL manually, please check your spelling and try again.

If you followed a link from one of our pages, please e-mail us and let us know.

When I go to the front page of the site, it says:
Welcome to Islandhosting.com!

islandhosting.com is a new web hosting service from the people who founded Islandnet.com, Vancouver Island's finest ISP.

With larger disk space, greater flexibility, and better tools islandhosting.com gives you more for your money than anyone else.

Every islandhosting.com account includes a domain name, detailed access statistics, plenty of POP mailboxes, unlimited email addresses, loads of disk space, and all sorts of wonderful tools and gadgets including M-Script, PHP 4, Perl, MySQL, and more!

If you know anything about Islandnet.com you already know our web gadgets and value-added services can't be beat. Now check out our pricing and see why islandhosting.com just makes sense for your site!

eCar™ · 02-26-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by yuprules

I get this page:

File Not Found

Both links worked for me.

Cherub211 · 02-26-2004, 11:27 AM

Yeah, they work for me too.

I should be trying to post in the finished project forum in a week or so. You'll have all your answers then.

Mister Six · 02-26-2004, 11:39 AM

URL worked for me as well....

Cool looking case, but that wont make it run cooler!!

You start adding up the figures and it doesnt look good, that why I am worried about my project in summer.

Intel rates the max CPU temp at 65 degs C the CPU when running add about 15 degs C to the heat load which means the maximum ambient temperperature is 50 degs C or 122 degs F. A little close for comfort!
I believe it was eCar who brought up the topic of peltiers junctions to cool the CPU, unlike a fan which doesnt cool, but just moves air over the heat sink, the peltier would actually cool it down. But then you have to allow for condensation, etc. And peltiers pull alot of current!
Its never easy!!

Chris