Newb carputer set up, advice & help needed.

Rykielz · 07-22-2004, 02:29 PM

Hi,
I am new to this website and new to carputers. I have built one (desktop) computer before and it runs pretty good if I do say so my self, but I have almost no knowledge in car audio and car electronics. I am going to be buying an '04 RSX by sept and I want to put a carputer in it within the first week.
this is how my set up is going to take place.

Power Supply: PW70a + ITPS $85 for both
MotherBoard: Via EPIA M-10000 1 GHZ Nehemiah $159
LCD: 7" Lilliput or 7" Xenarc, or anyother good one
HDD: Laptop HDD
MEM: 256 or 521 DIMM
CASE: ITX case off e-bay for $20-$30 (fits the M-10k)
DVD slim drive
GPS: GPS mouse off E-bay $50
FM modulator

Wires/Misc: here is where I have problems, I dont know what wires to use(0 knowledge in this department) I know I'll need some RCA cables, USB extension cables, VGA cables, a 1/8" to RCA adapter, what fuse will i need, anything else I'll be needing? I also dont know how I am going to get the power from my battery. (I am stupid, i know)

I am going to be repacing my HU and using my carpc for audio and radio, so I need to hook up my computer to my car's speakers and amp.

So what do you guys think.
Sorry for posting this but i tried to search for most of the stuff but being the Newb i am i didnt really know how to search properly. (Ex. I searched for "wiring", since I dont know s**t about it but I got a on of posts that didnt help me out that much) if you could just help me out by telling me what I need to do and what I need to buy it would be great. or if you can tell me what to put in the search box to get exactly what will help me that will be fine as well.
sorry for the long post and thanks for taking the time to read this and helping me with my problem.
Have a great day.

~Ry

Rykielz · 07-22-2004, 05:11 PM

Ok i just read that I need to use a 10-12 AWG to connect to the battery and for grounding, and i think the fuse needs to be 12A (inline w/ 10-12 AWG connection) But i still dont know how to connect it to the battery

also, i read some where that there are three wires, a 12v power wire and a grounding wire and there is also a 5v wire ( i think) but i dont know what the 5v or third wire is for. can someone shed some light on this issue?
Thanks

~Ry.

proTONEd · 07-22-2004, 06:14 PM

There are indeed 3 wires on the ITPS: Black (ground), White (+12v unswitched) and Red (+12v ignition).

White is + on your battery.
Black is - on your battery.
The Red you probably have to find somewhere behind your dash.

(These colors are not necessarily the same in your car)

So if you want to put your PC in the trunk, you could run 2 wires from the front to the back of your car: the 12v unswitched and the ignition. You could take a ground point in the back of your car, i.e. hook it up where your spare tire is clamped.

If you are not using an HU, you don't need to buy a FM-modulator. You can hook up your PC directly to your amp by using a RCA cable.

Some comment on the ITPS / PWxx combo: the ITPS does not survive engine cranking. It just wait a few seconds (the time you are cranking) to start the pc. Lots of people must have the engine running before the can use the PC. I myself have the ITPS, I'm satisfied with it, but it has its limitations. Just so you'd know.

Rykielz · 07-22-2004, 10:14 PM

I know that the ITPS cant survive the crank, but i dont plan on using the carputer before i start the car anyways. ( btw what gauge wire should i use and how do i connect it to the battery?)
besides i want to use this switch to turn the carputer on and off. http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/ele-141.html or http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/ele-70.html
thanks

~Ry

proTONEd · 07-26-2004, 04:26 PM

Being from Belgium I'm not really into American standards. But do a

there are some threads about that.

You can buy special batteryclamps with extra connectors, but for this kind of power you could just hook it up to the battery where the wire of you generator is attached to the +.