Setup Question for CarPC Power

robsch · 03-20-2007, 10:59 AM

Hello all,

I have a new (Old Machine) Dell Desktop I want to use for my CarPC in place of a Laptop I am using. I have the Daskwerks (http://www.dashwerks.com/dw_dssc.php) Startup/Shutdown controller, which I have no issues installing and getting to work. My Main question is the best way to power the Desktop PC. I have a car power inverter that I was going to hack up and use to power the PC with. I did notice that when I plug my laptop in, I get a ground loop that causes a nice hum.

I am curious if anyone else is using this method to power their CarPC, and if so, do you suffer this issue. I also wonder if grounding it to the car frame, or using the negative terminal off the batter will help eliminate the ground loop, and stop that hum. I am a little short on cash, otherwise, I would just buy the proper power supply... (Which I will, once I make settlement on my new house).

Thanks for your advice/suggestions.

Cheers,
Rob

billmee · 03-22-2007, 07:30 PM

Rob,

Your inverter is probably not passing any ground to the pc, mine doesn't.
If you open the inverter and look at the ground connection it is probably just a floating piece of metal. If this is the case you could connect the grounding pin of your ac cable to the chassis of the car. This worked for me.

robsch · 03-23-2007, 08:47 AM

I checked it out this morning, and you are correct. No more Hum!

Thanks dude!

Cheers