kibble

I would feel safer putting some sort of transistor driver on the line though to boost the amperage that it can drive. The serial port outputs really aren't made to source or sink much current.

Rob Withey

The current has more to do with the size of the wire than the voltage.

__________________
6yr old first install died 20/8/2005 as result of bad bios flash.

New system : 6x5x2" contains 1GHz C3 PCM9373, ISR based PSU, 8Gb flash DOM, 98Lite, DirectShow based frontend.
GPS : Rikaline 6010.
Display : LTM08C351 + LVDS receiver.

HiJackZX1

I think I agree, I just started noticing that when I turn on the PC with AMPCTRL it takes almost a minute for the amps to come on, and when it does it fades in as though the amps are fighting for the wire to send the signal to power them on. On my setup I have a thin wire coming from the MoBo serial header, then connecting to a distrubution block then the amps connecting to that. I have a total of 4 amps, and I think this may be the issue. In that case, can I simply add a relay that has a 12v signal and the serial port simply triggers the relay, which all 4 amps will be connected to?

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kibble

I don't think the serial port puts out enough current to activate the coil in the relay. Best bet would be to have a transistor being switched on by the DTR line and have that running the relay. A solid state relay would probably eliminate having to use a transistor as they're made to use low currents to turn on, they're usually more expensive though.

HiJackZX1

I think ill go that route and use a solid state relay....

__________________
PLANNING [100%]
CAR PC ITEMS [100%]
INSTALL OF PC [100%]
BUG WORKOUT [75%]
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