Newbie needing help... I think I did something dumb (PW-200 related)

SkaLou · 02-17-2008, 10:25 PM

About a year ago, I accidentally stumbled upon this website, which inspired me to build a computer into my car. Lack of money + time however postponed this project until now. I can happily say though, that today, I'm 100%... erm... 99% done!

See, I did something stupid. I bought a PW-200 DC-DC powersupply. After searching the internet and this forum, I've determined that this PSU is basically... crap, and I shouldn't be using it. I also have read that it's only 60W, which is pretty rough, I actually believed the 200W deal.

For my setup I'm using all desktop parts, so I do need close to 200W. I think about 150 would be enough, so if worst comes to worst, I will purchase an M2-ATX 160W.

See, I DID wire in a voltage regulator. I wired in an NTE933, which is a 12V 5A regulator. I tested the outputs on my horrible 5 dollar voltage tester, on 10v it pegs the tester, on 50v it looks like it's at about 10.. so I figure it's outputting 12V correctly. (I did wire in an NTE931 for a USB hub by the way, which works flawlessly). When I turn on the PC however, I don't get anything on screen. Oddly enough even, if I unplug my ground, I still have power so long as a monitor is plugged in (tried an external CRT as well, not just the LCD in my car). I plugged the whole system into a standard AC-DC powersupply with an inverter, that works. I plugged a laptop into my VGA cable, going to my LCD, and that works. Aggravated, I bypassed my voltage regulator, and THAT works. I know, I've read the horror stories of what happens if I leave this thing unregulated... So I'm simply not going to. My real question is...

What's going on here? What do I need to do to get this working? Is my system underpowered? It certainly seems so... If that's the case, I will bite the bullet and buy an M2. If there is so way to salvage what I've done (will be nice not to have bought a 25 dollar voltage regulator for nothing), please help!

Thanks very much,
Louis

DarquePervert · 02-18-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SkaLou

See, I did something stupid. I bought a PW-200 DC-DC powersupply. After searching the internet and this forum, I've determined that this PSU is basically... crap, and I shouldn't be using it. I also have read that it's only 60W, which is pretty rough, I actually believed the 200W deal.

You're not the first one to get sucked into their marketing B.S.

Quote:

For my setup I'm using all desktop parts, so I do need close to 200W. I think about 150 would be enough, so if worst comes to worst, I will purchase an M2-ATX 160W.

There are PSUs that supply more power than 200w. You have a fgew options, actually.

However...
Rather than "thinking" you need XXX amount of power, I'd suggest doing some research and calculations to determine which PSU will suit you best.

Here's a FAQ that should help you out: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=6

Quote:

What's going on here? What do I need to do to get this working? Is my system underpowered? It certainly seems so... If that's the case, I will bite the bullet and buy an M2. If there is so way to salvage what I've done (will be nice not to have bought a 25 dollar voltage regulator for nothing), please help!

The voltage regulator was only 5A, meaning the 12v rail of the PSU was limited to those 5A or 60w (12v X 5a = 60w).
I honestly think your system is underpowered by the regulator/Pw200 setup, but I think you've already figured that out.

Again, I wouldn't limit yourself to the M2ATX, especially if you're iffy about the amount of power your system will draw.
It would suck horribly to drop even more money on a product that isn't going to meet your needs.

SkaLou · 02-18-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the speedy reply! I had previously used a PSU calculator, however, I forgot that I have actually changed my setup a little since then. I ran a calculator again (eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite) and I need 181w.

I guess I'd be better off getting a 200W+ PSU, even though I suspect I will only be switching to less power hungry devices in the future (currently using an old desktop with a 1.2ghz Duron, see a possibility of moving to a Pentium M 1.8Ghz but don't want to spend the money on the motherboard right now)

The OPUS 250 would be awesome... but it's 190 dollars. The 320 is only 10 more dollars.
Is there a place I can get these for less? I found M2's on eBay for ~75 shipped, but I can't find any OPUS on eBay at all.

Bugbyte · 02-18-2008, 01:57 PM

The DS-ATX sells for $160 on mp3car and outputs 220 watts. Check the specs against your power calculation to be sure you're okay.

A less expensive alternative is to buy the Intel little valley board for $75, outfit it with a gig of RAM for $30 and plug your PW-200 into it and put your voltage regulator upstream. That's what I'm using (with the Carnetix 60 watt regulator) and it works fine.

SkaLou · 02-18-2008, 08:40 PM

Thanks for that suggestion on the motherboard setup, but I actually hope to preserve a bit of power on this rig so I can play N64 and possibly even PlayStation games on it. I do have a 1.8Ghz Pentium M laying around, so I have considered purchasing a cheap socket 478 motherboard... I just hate investing in outdated things, and would much rather buy a socket 479 and put at least a core duo in it.

I'm certain at this point that I'm scrapping my voltage regulator and PW-200, hopefully I can sell the combo on ebay, or perhaps to a friend of mine who's building a less powerful car PC (assuming it works for him).

Do you think I should get a DS-ATX, or should I just go up the extra 10 bucks or so and get an OPUS 250? I'm kind of feeling like I might as well.

DarquePervert · 02-19-2008, 09:39 AM

The DSATX has far more configuration options than an Opus unit.
Spring the exta $10 for the brainstem. You won't be disappointed.

DeltaFX · 02-20-2008, 09:43 AM

Duron 1200 ? That cpu draws a max of 54.7W. You certainly need a beefy PSU.

SkaLou · 02-20-2008, 08:20 PM

I've decided to scrap this old hardware and get a more efficient setup.

M2-ATX 160W (75)
AMD Athlon 64 LE-1600 (40)
2GB DDR2 PC6400 (41)
Gigabyte GA-M61SME-S2 (47)

All this will cost the same price as if I were to buy the OPUS or DSATX.

I can now scrap my soundcard, video card, and USB card (wow, I was really limiting myself with the old hardware)
The new hardware will only need about 120 watts, and will be much more powerful! (My old setup was needing 180 >_<)

Bugbyte · 02-22-2008, 09:37 PM

It's nice to reuse your stuff, but in this case, you're getting new plus it's cheaper.

SkaLou · 02-23-2008, 01:31 AM

Yeah, plus I can pass off this other system onto someone who needs it now. Or sell it maybe, but I doubt it. I usually end up giving systems like this away to a good home.