Cheaper LCDs (Low $$$)

dagnasty · 12-26-2005, 03:45 AM

Ok, so I've checked around ebay for LCDs and they all seem to be a little to pricey. they cheaper ones only have RCA in ( I guess for typical DVD,VCR,Video game consoles ) and VGA out (video card) to RCA converters + cables run for quite a bit. Now, what I'm wondering.. Where can I find a decent, yet cheap small or big LCD with either s-video, VGA, or DVI input? I don't want touch screen. That's what a keyboard and mouse are for

My initial plan was to use a 19 inch LCD from a laptop, but from research that seems to be a near impossible task to accomplish for cheap.

Heck, for 160 bucks I can put a 18 inch PC LCD in my car.

I'm not too worried about the size of the LCD, just as long as it's not too small. I'll duct tape the damn thing if I have to!

I've done forum searching and ebay searching, but decided my best bet would to ask around here since I'm sure some of you are on a tight budget as well. I don't want to spend more than 100 bucks on this LCD.

Another thing. I was wondering an inverter would run a 260 watt PC power supply and an lcd. Would this make my engine have to work harder to pump out more energy in electrical form? Would it affect my miles per gallon? Could it drain my battery?

If some of these last questions are already answered in the FAQ (excluding LCD) then please tell me. It's 5 AM and I've been researching so long that I can't remain focused long enough to form decent sentences.

Montanaja · 12-26-2005, 05:43 AM

Double post you should delete one of them.

Gobby · 12-26-2005, 05:45 AM

Try DC to DC power supplies for the PC

dagnasty · 12-26-2005, 05:45 AM

Sitting on my desk is a small TV/vcr combo. I might just use it. In fact, I'd RATHER use it. That is, unless someone know of a cheaper place to purchase an LCD.

Hell yeah. So I'd have Antenna TV and VHS knocked out.

On the back of the TV/VCR combo it says 60hz 70w so I assume the TV/VCR combo at 70 watts and the computer at 200 maybe I'll be just fine. Is that correct? So I guess I'll need an inverter with 2 plugs putting out maybe 300 watts. Can someone point me into the right direction?

I plan on slapping one of my omnidirectional 802.11 antennas on the roof.

athlon xp 2600+
1 gig of ram
radeon 9800 256

You can have your 28 foot rimmed SUV. I've got
Internet
VHS
Antenna TV (JUST LIKE AT HOME!!!)
AM/FM
DVD
with 5.1 cambridge sound, baby.
oh, and I forgot to mention, 228,000 miles on a ford taurus station wagon.
Wood Grain burgundy interior. Rockin' and Rollin all day.

Gotta enjoy it while it lasts. Don't plan on putting a computer on a motorcycle. Or do I....

dagnasty · 12-26-2005, 05:47 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Gobby

Try DC to DC power supplies for the PC

Is this to avoid having to buy an inverter? What's the advantages of doing this? I might end up using the TV/VCR combo so would the 2 outlet inverter be a better idea?

Also, does having a 400 watt power supply pull 400 watts constantly, or is that just it's max? I guess it wouldn't make sense .. where would the power go? I just want to make sure. Should I downgrade the power supply before I install?

dagnasty · 12-26-2005, 11:06 AM

come on now!

DarquePervert · 12-26-2005, 05:45 PM

You might consider waiting more than five hours for a response.

And yes, a DC-DC power supply will eliminate the need for an inverter.
A 400w power supply, that is the RMS rating under specific conditions (usually). It has the capability of suplying 400w of power to devices hooked up to it.

dagnasty · 12-27-2005, 12:52 AM

about the gas. would my miles per gallon be affected?

pcfreak · 12-27-2005, 01:54 AM

Your gas mileage shouldn't be affected. But your battery will take a big hit. Your car is configured for what is installed at the factory for power. Exactly what your going to need depends on the total amperes used by all the components installed in the car. This is a lot of work to figure out just how much you will be drawing. To be on the safe side if you are going to install the TV combo and 400 watt PC and other things like amps and such, you should install a larger alternator along with an extra battery with capacitors also. At least if you don't want to invest that much, install the caps. Now I'm not an expert at this, just an average idiot. Personally, I would just put a TV tuner card in the PC with a DVD ROM to take out the combo. Why would you want a VCR? If you put that large of an inverter in with all those things drawing on it, you will more then likely go thru one battery every year. But money wise, at least a battery with more amps and a cap. My laptop running off of a car charger and my amp ran my battery into the ground in under a year. Sorry, I'm babbling. Hope this helps a little. Oh and by the way, if you plan on spending 500.00 for your system, you'll end up spending 3 times that before your happy. Plus the brain cells your going to waste doing it...LOL Notihng is cheap when you get into this type of sh1t.

Later

dagnasty · 12-27-2005, 02:09 AM

I don't plan on having my stuff switched on when the car isn't on. When the motor is cranked will it still have an effect on the battery? What causes the battery to die in a year? Overuse? I thought that power doesn't actually run from the battery when it's cranked, but from the alternator? Which I guess is just an electrical generator powered by a belt from the motor. (right?) Pulling more power would make the alternator need to spin faster, right? Or does the alternator put out a steady current? I don't know much about alternators and batteries. Inform me!

dagnasty · 12-27-2005, 02:14 AM

I will not be spending over a hundred bucks total to get this working. The TV was just an idea to replace overpriced LCD. After looking around for room somewhere in the dash I decided the TV was too large for the room I have, although I do have a decent amount. Can anyone think of some cheaper LCD alternatives? Or at least point me to some lower priced ones?

kmcniece · 12-27-2005, 02:34 AM

does dagnasty refer to the band dagnasty? Great Band.

As for not spending over 100 bucks? try an old laptop. I just don't see any thing under 100 bucks that ANYbody would be happy with.

my .02

shotgunefx · 12-27-2005, 02:36 AM

What about a modded PS One screen?

pcfreak · 12-27-2005, 03:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dagnasty

I don't plan on having my stuff switched on when the car isn't on. When the motor is cranked will it still have an effect on the battery? What causes the battery to die in a year? Overuse? I thought that power doesn't actually run from the battery when it's cranked, but from the alternator? Which I guess is just an electrical generator powered by a belt from the motor. (right?) Pulling more power would make the alternator need to spin faster, right? Or does the alternator put out a steady current? I don't know much about alternators and batteries. Inform me!

The battery is used to start the car. Once the car is running the alternator takes over. You could actually take your battery out then. Unless you are going to use things like head lights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals etc etc. This is where the battery comes into effect again. This is why you should have a larger alternator installed if your going to be powering extra devices that didn't come standard in the car. If you are using all the power coming from the alternator plus extra from the battery, then you are no longer charging the battery. This means all you are doing is discharging it and it will eventually fail you. It will kill cells in the batt. With just something like an amp installed, caps really help because caps build power up and store it for usage when needed. This means less stress on your battery. It's not the voltage your fighting, it's the amperes. Like I said before, I am no expert at this stuff. I was a low voltage electronics repair tech for 7 years, so I do know "some things", but this is totally different then what I worked with. The things I worked on were installed in buildings where there was plenty of power. I'm just as broke as the next poor fudge, so I have just ebay'd my way to where I am now. Roughly $1200.00 spent so far in 2 years of working on this never ending project. But some day (hahaha) it will be done. Pics of my project so far. Don't laugh to hard, as cheap as some of the stuff is, it works pretty darn good. Most of the money I spent was wasted on experimenting.

Grentarc · 12-27-2005, 03:31 AM

actually, you couldn't take your battery out of the car once it is started, unless you don't have an alternator. an alternator need to have a load, otherwise it dies.