power issues, will an inverter regulate?

blustreak · 01-22-2005, 03:54 PM

Ok I've done searching and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I've been on the boards for a while but haven't built anything yet. Now I have money and want to get this thing put together.

First off I have a large audio system so it drains lots of power, i.e. I have a second yellow top optima, aside from my Diehard International, and it's still not enough. I don't want to upgrade my alternator but I may have to.

I already have an inverter that is 800W peak. My questions: If I purchase a Travla C137 case and the CarPC EZ v2.2 ATX Power Controller will it run my PC and do all the good startup and sleep/chill/shutdown functions? Basically using the power included (120W) with the case will the inverter regulate the voltage to the PC? I just don't want to be playing music and my bass hits which sucks the power and reboots the PC. Because I know the ITPS doesn't quite function that well if underpowered and I've looked at Sproggy and Tanks but I'm pretty sure I don't want to go that way. I'll be running an M10000, 2.5" HD, Slimline DVD/CD-RW, some USB devices, maybe the touchscreen, etc. if that helps.

My other concern is the vibration from the system destroying the HD but I'll worry about that later. Any suggestions/opinions on what I could use as power or anything else would be appreciated? I really don't care if I use the inverter or not. I’m just trying to justify not spending the $200 on the 150W Opus.

BTW: IF anyone has any components that I could use that they want to sell, I have nothing thus far. Thank you in advance.

KyferEz · 01-22-2005, 04:19 PM

The CarPC Power Controllers will operate down to 8 volts, so you will not have any trouble with it when bass hits. It handles your PC, inverter, and amplifier turn-on and shut-down to hibernation or full shutdown. If you want to shutdown to standby, this is possible, but you will need a separate 5v supply to feed to the VStandby line of the motherboard.

An inverter will take the noisy 12v in, and create 120v which you can use with the supply. Most inverters will continue to operate down to 10 volts (however they will likely squeal about the voltage being low below 10.5 volts).

Why do you say you don't want to use a tank? It would solve the power problems (especially for the bass hits). It doesn't take a large battery, and it's simple:
Car+12-----|>|---TankBatt+12----Inverter+

KyferEz

blustreak · 01-22-2005, 04:56 PM

I guess I said i don't want use a tank because I wasn't sure if it could be used in conjunction with the inverter, the controller and the included case power. During my searching all I found was how to wire it using the car batt, tank and key hot.
If you could elaborate on how i could use the tank to "help out' that would be great, cause I'm not quite getting that part.
But it seems that you are saying if I used the above described setup it should work somewhat like an Opus would? thanks

KyferEz · 01-22-2005, 09:25 PM

Yes, after it was all setup, it would work similar to an Opus.

The Tank circuit is as simple as what I show above in the text diagram. Wire up +12 from the car through a diode such as the MBR4045CT (available from www.digikey.com) to the +12 volts of a battery. Then wire the tank battery to an inverter. Wire all the grounds together and viola, a simple tank circuit that will allow you to survive crank and bass hits.

The diode prevents current from flowing from the tank battery to the car, and is rated at up to 40 amps. The diode I chose (MBR4045CT, inexpensive) has a low forward voltage drop, which means that it is efficient (without going into a great deal of detail...) Also, so you know how to wire it up, pins 1 and 3 connect to +12 from the car, and pin 2 connects to the tank battery. If pulling high amounts of current, a heat sink may be necessary on the diode. Digikey number HS229-ND would work, and it's inexpensive.

KyferEz

blustreak · 01-23-2005, 03:39 PM

thanks alot, I will definately be using your advice.

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