Laptop Auto Power-On / Turn-On Module - Page 3

Sidewalksalvage · 06-10-2006, 12:08 PM

maybe you could work out a deal with the MP3Car store that would be hott.

W3bMa5t3r · 06-10-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

maybe you could work out a deal with the MP3Car store that would be hott.

I had thought of that, but I'm really not making a profit off these things (though I know everyone probably thinks otherwise). Considering the ordering parts and shipping, tools and supplies, the packaging/shipping items, fuel, time, etc... I'm buying everything in bulk (so order up people

) now to try and reduce the overall cost, but still doesn't equate to much of a profit.

So if MP3Car were to sell them and take a bit off the top... I'd probably end up losing a bit lol. As it is, I'm mainly doing this as a service to the car computer community anyways and not trying to turn a profit, just cover all my costs, so it's all good.

On top of that, each module is custom built, cable lengths, etc, so I guess it's easier this way. I've got the order received/payment received/build/package/ship time down to under a day now for most orders provided I don't get overwhelmed and depending on my work schedule. lol I'm actually at work now. 3 days on and 3 days off.

EDIT. All my parts came in so I'm back to building these modules. Thanks to everyone who's bought one so far. :-) Hope you're enjoying the module. To everyone else. I'm ready for your orders HERE

vwp99 · 06-24-2006, 08:43 AM

I don't know if the part of the unit checking for +5V from the USB has to be there. As long as the laptop is off, it will always respont to the powerswitch getting closed for this 0,5 sec.

Powered up in win xp, it can ignore short closings of the powerswitchbutton. This set in the Powersettings.

Or am I wrong? If not, how would a sircuit without the +5V look like?

Power-off i think is best handled by the powersettings, ex. getting in standby at 85% batterylevel. Works fine as long as the power to the laptop is cut when ACC is turned off.

W3bMa5t3r · 06-24-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by vwp99

I don't know if the part of the unit checking for +5V from the USB has to be there. As long as the laptop is off, it will always respont to the powerswitch getting closed for this 0,5 sec.

Powered up in win xp, it can ignore short closings of the powerswitchbutton. This set in the Powersettings.

Or am I wrong? If not, how would a sircuit without the +5V look like?

Power-off i think is best handled by the powersettings, ex. getting in standby at 85% batterylevel. Works fine as long as the power to the laptop is cut when ACC is turned off.

This module isn't designed to handle any of the turning off functions. I suggest using the hibernation setting for that (because usb is still powered in standby). The lower battery level when the power to the laptop is turned off and then going into hibernation is how I've said to use the setup.
The usb part is actually a good thing because some systems have a very sensitive design. As far as I know, all systems will power off if you HOLD the button down. If the system is designed to be more sensitive, and this module were to send the power on 'short', it would turn the system off. And that part is not controlled by Windows.
It's only a safety setup and it requires only one additional relay and a usb cable... not really that much trouble...

As far as your question for the circuit without the usb setup, the first circuit in this thread is that setup.

DaveNagy · 06-27-2006, 01:22 AM

Hmmm, I'm not sure I really need one of these, but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway, just in case you lose interest soon and go "out of business".

As per this thread, I'm planning on going with a tablet computer, so the power switch will be easy to get to, right there on the "screen" itself. But, it would be cool to have the tablet power itself on when I unlock the doors or something. Very cool, in fact.

Since I'll often want to use the tablet outside my car, and because I won't have a proper "dock", I'll want to keep the number of connections I have to plug and unplug to a bare minimum. Hopefully, just power and a single USB cable. So that means that connecting that extra "safety" USB cable is kinda unappealing. I was thinking about various workarounds like using the 5V on my single existing USB cable, and powering everything downstream of there off of the hub's power, but vwp99's point is a great one. I believe you can set things up in XP so that intermittent power-button presses don't do a thing after Windows is booted. I wonder if holding the button down for several seconds would still kill power to the computer. Probably. We'll see when it gets here.

Anyway, I'll go to your site and order one of these widgets. I won't need the USB connector, and I won't need the "emergency power switch" cable. I'll try to make that clear on my order.

Oh! Almost forgot. Excellent job!

vwp99 · 06-27-2006, 02:07 AM

As far as i know most computers will shut down with holding the powerbutton closed for 5 sec+. At least all HP/Compaqs i've tried do. Only problem as far as i know with this solution will be if the sercuit keeps closing on interval before the computer is done with it bios-screen etc. But as i've understood, it just close the button when it gets ACC-power?

W3bMa5t3r · 06-27-2006, 04:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by vwp99

As far as i know most computers will shut down with holding the powerbutton closed for 5 sec+. At least all HP/Compaqs i've tried do. Only problem as far as i know with this solution will be if the sercuit keeps closing on interval before the computer is done with it bios-screen etc. But as i've understood, it just close the button when it gets ACC-power?

My reason for using it, was a few people (who I think had Sony Vaios or something) only require holding the power switch for a bit long than the press for turning it on. It's only an added precaution... but it's up to the purchaser if they want it or not. LOL No sweat off my back

DaveNagy · 06-27-2006, 02:13 PM

Good point about the possible side effects of repeatedly jabbing the power button while Windows is still in the process of starting. I'm not sure what would happen in that case. That's another thing to experiment with, after my tablet arrives.

I'm thinking that it would be cool/simple if I wired the power-on module to one of my interior lights. When I use my remote door-unlocking key fob, the interior lights come on for 30 seconds or so. That would trigger the module to power on the computer. But, the interior lights come on lots of other times, too. I think the computer would gleefully ignore any of these subsequent button presses.

A cleaner but more difficult install would involve wiring the module to the door-unlock circuitry itself. I'm not sure that's possible. W3bMa5t3r, how long does your module need to "see" 12V in order for it to successfully simulate a button press? Would a quick jolt from a lock circuit work, or does it need to be supplied power for longer than that?

W3bMa5t3r · 06-27-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DaveNagy

A cleaner but more difficult install would involve wiring the module to the door-unlock circuitry itself. I'm not sure that's possible. W3bMa5t3r, how long does your module need to "see" 12V in order for it to successfully simulate a button press? Would a quick jolt from a lock circuit work, or does it need to be supplied power for longer than that?

Well it needs power for as long as the circuit/module is turning the system on, no more than half a second at least. I actually have mine wired to the switched ACC/Start/Run line so it starts as I'm starting the car, but I'm thinking of another method soon. Not sure what just yet though.

mrfrankmrfrank · 07-27-2006, 02:56 PM

a friend and i have some how managed to successfully build one of these modules using his diagram and the pictures at the beginning of this thread. it works....i don't know how.........but it does...haha

W3bMa5t3r · 07-27-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mrfrankmrfrank

a friend and i have some how managed to successfully build one of these modules using his diagram and the pictures at the beginning of this thread. it works....i don't know how.........but it does...haha

Glad you all got it working. Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. Been crazy in the office today. Sent you a PM about some of the tech details.

Nice job on the laptop external port

Thanks for letting me know it's all good. Peace...

mrfrankmrfrank · 07-27-2006, 04:01 PM

this has been one of the best experiences. everything is working flawlessly. my friend designed a very detailed schematic of how we wired everything up. and i could not be more happy with how it turned out. we still have to put the module in the enclosure, but until then...check out the schematic and two pics of our finished product

W3bMa5t3r · 07-28-2006, 03:21 PM

Just to let you all know,

I have designed a take-off of my current circuit to make not only an auto startup power ON module for laptops, monitors, external drives, etc, but also to power OFF the laptops with a second 'short' or 'button press' once the car is turned off. It will NOT drain any battery power. I will try to have the circuit up later on tonight after I've tested it to verify it's functionality and reliability. Once it's posted I'll also start offering two additional module setups for purchase (w/ slightly higher fee for the additional parts) for those that don't want to wander into building them.