In-car computer system

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J

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
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I wasn't sure if this should go into general hardware or off topic. I figured it didn't fall into computer hardware, so i put it in here. Mods, if it should be somewhere else, i appologize. Please move it. :)

Do you have a computer in your car? I am trying to conquer the power problem. Here is the deal:

All i want power to be supplied to is the computer itself, not the touchscreen monitor, not the external dvd. So, 12v power inverter or 12v power supply right? Wrong. Every time you turn the car off, the computer will loose power. After a good days worth of stopping here and there, that computer is going to be taking a beating from shutting off and on so much, not to mention by the time you get to the next destination, it will have finally finished booting.

So, the solution. Smart UPS. Get a large enough UPS so that when you cut the power of the car off, it will keep the computer running long enough for erronds. I'm guessing 15-30 minutes. Once you finish the errond, you turn ur car back on. Display and external DVD come back on and your computer never turned off. Power is restored and the UPS begins to charge it's batteries again.

Simple eh? Again, no. Here is where my problem begins. Where can i find a 12v INPUT UPS w/ high enough output and capacitance to run the computer for a decent amount of time. If there are no UPS w/ 12v input, where can I get a power inverter (12v to 110vDC (normal home wall outlet) that can pump out enough power for a standard UPS?

Does anyone know how many amps/watts a 1000va or comprairable UPS pulls?

Also, what is a good way to provide cooling to a computer mounted in the trunk of a car? Maybe a port into the cockpit w/ fans? Any 5.25" air conditioners?

One more question. What do you think is the SMALLEST power supply i can use for a:

1.2Ghz Athlon
3x256 sticks of pc133
PCI voodoo3 32mb
1x WD 20gb hdd
PCI Tv tuner (ati to be exact)
three USB devices (GPS, USB wireless k/b mouse (battery powered), and USB DVD drive (sepereate psu)
PCI or USB wi-fi card
1x CPU fan
2x 80mm case fans

i'm thinkin 250? ..maybe a 300..not like EVERYTHING would be in use at once...

any help is appreciated :) thanks

Cliffs:

1) UPS that is 12v INPUT
2) 12vDC to 110vAC power inverter that can handle a big ass UPS
3) how many amps/watts a 1000va or comprairable UPS pull?
4) Cooling a computer that is mounted in a trunk of a card :eek:
5) Smallest possible power supply for system stated above

word
 
J

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
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will check it out when i get home...stupid work filter is blocking most of content >(
 
J

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
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idot.com sells DC-DC power converters.

Personally, it seems too complicated to worry about the PC shutting down - just don't turn it on for long trips.
At some point I did find a schematic that was for some sort of doohickey to put the PC on the car's battery for a short time and then switch back to the ACC power if it comes on within the specified time, or send a graceful shutdown if the time expires. I have no idea where it was, though, and I can't find it anymore.
 
mindmaniac

mindmaniac

Senior member
Dec 30, 2003
915
1
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I know this is a crazy question, but why do you need a full size computer in your car while you're driving? Not saying it isn't something I wouldn't do but what purpose are you using it for? I would just drop a laptop in instead of going through all the hassle.
 
H

hevnsnt

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
10,868
1
0
Get an Opus powersupply.. It will sense when your car is shut off, and put your computer into hibernate.. And yes, I do have one in my jeep!
 
J

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
4,355
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Originally posted by: mindmaniac
I know this is a crazy question, but why do you need a full size computer in your car while you're driving? Not saying it isn't something I wouldn't do but what purpose are you using it for? I would just drop a laptop in instead of going through all the hassle.
Click to expand...

dont want to deal w/ a laptop..this is much easier imo...i like the idea better

using it for gps, dvd, internet, TV, etc. :p

off to home i go..talk to yall in a couple hours
 
9

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
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Www.mp3car.com

You don't need a UPS. You can get a 12v power supply that keeps power on after you shut it off, like this one:

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=67

Edit: that's only usable on a sensible car computer system. An Athlon 1.2 ghz is going to draw way too much current, and it's going to heat up your car. It'll be like having a 150 watt heater in your trunk. You're better off using a laptop or an Epia system.
 
J

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
4,355
0
0
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Www.mp3car.com

You don't need a UPS. You can get a 12v power supply that keeps power on after you shut it off, like this one:

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=67

Edit: that's only usable on a sensible car computer system. An Athlon 1.2 ghz is going to draw way too much current, and it's going to heat up your car. It'll be like having a 150 watt heater in your trunk. You're better off using a laptop or an Epia system.
Click to expand...

:( what about their systems? seems like they do well with heat...seeming as how they are built for in-car use
 
9

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: Journer
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Www.mp3car.com

You don't need a UPS. You can get a 12v power supply that keeps power on after you shut it off, like this one:

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=67

Edit: that's only usable on a sensible car computer system. An Athlon 1.2 ghz is going to draw way too much current, and it's going to heat up your car. It'll be like having a 150 watt heater in your trunk. You're better off using a laptop or an Epia system.
Click to expand...

:( what about their systems? seems like they do well with heat...seeming as how they are built for in-car use
Click to expand...


Their systems are much smaller and less powerful. Take a look at the size difference:
Epia vs. AMD motherboard

The processors themselves are much more efficient, too. The Via C3 1000 only consumes about 10 watts on average, and the whole motherboard with the chip on it only consumes 15 watts average. And that contains everything you need- video, sound, usb, serial ports, etc. Hook that up to a laptop hard drive and your total system consumption will only be around 18 watts, compared to 120+ watts with the Athlon system (59 watts just for the Athlon 1.2 ghz itself)
 
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