Can the Opus be powered by an adapter?

orangewhip · 09-04-2003, 07:48 PM

Hey all, just curious. Since the Opus can take 12VDC in. Can it be hooked up to a 12V AC/DC adapter so that the computer can be used indoors as well? All that would be needed is a 2nd power connector and spice it into the adapter for indoor use!

Any reasons why this wouldn't work?

MeanGT · 09-04-2003, 08:15 PM

As long as you have a good 110v to 12v power supply you should be able to plug the opus into it with no problem,, BUT you have to make sure it has enough amperage,, ie: one of those little boxes that nintendo etc.. takes would not be sufficient,, you would need something that puts out 12+ amps most likely,,

EDIT: Something like this would work, but you have to be REALLY REALLY careful wiring it, as this thing will get you hurt or killed if you wire it wrong,, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=32720

gizmomkr · 09-04-2003, 08:25 PM

My opus with LCD display, DVD rom, laptop HD, 2 case fans draws 5.6 amps.

This will vary, but even using the full 90 watt unit, you should only need 7.5 amps.

The 150 Watt should draw 12.5 amps

Im sure I will get yelled at, so its worth mentioning a slightly higher supply is recomended because the unit is not 100% efficient. so figure another maybe 3% loss...I know its posted somewhere... but I dont recall the exact rating off the top of my head.

gork · 09-07-2003, 05:12 PM

I was just about to post about this. Glad to see someone else is thinking along the same lines as me

Here is one I found using Jameco's excellent power supply selector.

Finding a 12V 14A+ PSU is actually kind of difficult. The price on the one I found seems quite high. Anyone know of a better source?

MeanGT · 09-07-2003, 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

Finding a 12V 14A+ PSU is actually kind of difficult. The price on the one I found seems quite high. Anyone know of a better source?

I wonder if something like this would do the trick,, I am pretty sure that it would work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2431569118

gizmomkr · 09-07-2003, 10:19 PM

Well, it would work fine, its a 17 amp battery.
I didnt read in detail, but Im sure the charger fior it is still a 1 amp dc supply.

Radioshack sells one for 60.00 its a switching mode 10 amp supply.

The easy thing to do is buy a transformer (digikey, grainger, ) just find something close to 7 amps. and a throw a rectifier on it. parts would cost you about 20 bucks.

C4M · 09-07-2003, 10:59 PM

I have an old AT power supply, with all the unnecessary stuff desoldered at the board, and with a GND and 12V connector on the front.

Simple!

orangewhip · 09-08-2003, 05:11 AM

So are you saying I could use a regular 110 computer Power Supply and use the +12V and ground rails from one of the drive connectors??

C4M · 09-08-2003, 05:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by orangewhip

So are you saying I could use a regular 110 computer Power Supply and use the +12V and ground rails from one of the drive connectors??

Bear in mind that I am running an EPIA with a laptop drive, so I have very small power requirements.

So what I am saying is: This works for me. It might work for you as well.

Here's a photo of the front of my desk power supply (scuse the quality - poor light and the camera is built into my phone). You can see where the cables that connected to the motherboard used to be - they were all just desoldered from the board in the power supply.

Naturally this kind of work comes with a warning. Opening power supplies can be dangerous even if they aren't plugged in. If you don't know what you are doing, don't do this.

Hope this helps.

C!

gork · 09-08-2003, 09:56 AM

I ended up buying one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3044503531

The price is OK and it's sure to work for my 150W OPUS -- even if it wont power it at max capacity, it'll be fine for what I do with it..

mp3hombre · 09-09-2003, 01:53 PM

For those who like to "live on the edge", get a 12v 20A automotive battery charger. Most of them contain ONLY a transformer and rectifiers (diodes), so you will need to filter its output by adding a capacitor. let's say 10 000uf or higher at 25Volts .

Rob Withey · 09-09-2003, 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mp3hombre

For those who like to "live on the edge", get a 12v 20A automotive battery charger. Most of them contain ONLY a transformer and rectifiers (diodes), so you will need to filter its output by adding a capacitor. let's say 10 000uf or higher at 25Volts .

Yup, that's exactly what I described here : http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/power-supplies/7457-idea-about-how-power-house.html

And what I built (see pictures on my site). Works like a charm.

Rob