Ravant

Alright, I've got this system pretty much done and wired up. I have a setup that goes from my power supply to a switch in the dash, that then runs to the power inverter, which ends in a 300 watt ATX PC power supply. How do I have the PC power up as it recieves current from the power source? (Switch off = 0 current, switch on = 12v current.)

If this has been discussed before, I'm sorry for posting it a second time.

Also - what is a good, inexpensive deck that has RCA aux. inputs? It doesn't have to have a CD player, just an AM/FM reciever with a stereo RCA AUX in and RCA outs.

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SpeedFreak03

I'm a n00b too, but I'll try to help lol. Anyway, for the switch thing, I know some BIOSes have an option to automatically "turn on after power loss". So pretty much, when you plug it in, it boots up. Snoop around in your BIOS settings to see if you can find it, maybe look in the manual. But nothing is ever that easy, so we need a backup plan. I wonder if there is some type of relay that would send a momentary signal (most keep sending the 12V through, we need one that would send it for a split second).

For the inexpensive deck, check out the Alpine CDM-9821, $139.99 http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FPetPMe...rch=CDM%2D9821

It has one pair of pre-outs, and for the aux input, you need the Alpine KCM-122B, $14.99 http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FPetPMe...rch=kCM%2D122B


I think all of the Alpine head units have the Aux-in thing with that adapter, so whichever one you choose should be fine. Good luck and take some pics of the setup if you get a chance!

Ravant

Well - I figured that might work, but I'm fishing around for a backup plan here. I basically have an on/off toggle switch initially intended for a nitros oxide system. This was bought before I decided to take the car mods in a different direction. The switch is a simple flip up, closes circuit, flip down, circuit opens. The issue here is, how do I get my computer system to recognise the flip-up action and load without touching those bios settings? Or should I wire the ATX power switch itself to my dash instead? (Extended wire may cause bad results, I'm not sure.) Any other thoughts?

Bellfazar

I'm a newbie to carputer building myself, but it seems to me that if you put the switch on the 12v line going from the battery to the carputer and then mucked around in your bios for the "start on power" setting, then if the switch is closed, the carputer will start when the machine recieves power. If the switch is open, then you'll have to close the switch to complete the 12v circuit.

Just an idea.

SpeedFreak03

Yea you can run the power switch up front, no problem there. I thought you didn't want to have to use another switch, thats why I thought of the relay idea lol, its pretty much an automatic switch. I plan to run a power button up front also. But you need to remember something - the ATX power "switch" isn't a switch - it's a button. If you hooked it up to a switch, when you flip the switch, it will be like your holding the power button down constantly, so it won't start. If you have your heart set on using that switch instead of a button, then you can flip up (like pushing the button), then flip down (like letting go of the button. Then the computer will start fine.

Ravant

The way I was planning it was using either the ATX power button OR the switch I already have. I am aware that the ATX button is a button. Just using the simplist terms here. I can even wire both, a cut-out switch and an ATX button, so that way the tiny drain from the constant checking of the ATX button won't affect my 'puter. (If you have the system 'off', the ATX power supply still uses a small ammount to watch for the button press... sort of like televisions with wireless remotes.)

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