what size power inverter do i need to run a computer in my car

[logic0010]

specs on computer
amd 3400
2gig ram
onboard video +5700u3
2 hdds 1 dvd rom
1 usb dvd rom
7in lcd
power supply being used 1u 350watt

so to power this what size inverter do i need with a little le way

 

[JSLIM]

hmmm im curious also..

 

[lxskllr]

I look for one in the 450w range. That should be more than enough.

 

[ribbon13]

Suggestion

 

[QuantumPion]

I guess that you are putting a computer in your car for mp3's or maybe gps navigation? In that case wouldn't it be better to use a low-end cpu like a centrino or M version, as opposed to a full power A64?

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
I guess that you are putting a computer in your car for mp3's or maybe gps navigation? In that case wouldn't it be better to use a low-end cpu like a centrino or M version, as opposed to a full power A64?

if he needs 2GB of ram to do just that then he will need this one.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Plan for the most amount of inefficiency. Like 60%. Then look at your power supply.

For instance 300w powersupply = a 480 watt inverter.

Up to like a 600w powersupply = a 960 watt inverter.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

WTF do you need that in your car for.

- M4H

 

[Concillian]

Umm, don't they sell DC/DC power supplies?

Seems like using an AC alternator to produce rectified DC power for the car's electrical system then converting that to AC for the computer then back to DC inside the power supply is not really the best path to take.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Concillian
Umm, don't they sell DC/DC power supplies?

Seems like using an AC alternator to produce rectified DC power for the car's electrical system then converting that to AC for the computer then back to DC inside the power supply is not really the best path to take.

Should be easy to convert 12v DC to lower DC voltages. But would it be cheaper than buying an inverted and a AC PSU? Not to mention does it exist?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

a 560w inverter is all that is necessary to supply every bit of power your PSU can produce. (350w at 60% efficiency).

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Powerbright 400watt This would work.
Powerbright 400watt 24V If you have a 24V battery system.

Powerbright 600watt Pure Sine If you need clean energy and have money to burn. (You are using a computer after all)

Powerbright 600watt Pure Sine 24V If you need clean energy and have money to burn and are using a 24V battery system. (You are using a computer after all)

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Well I im finding lots of places that sell vehicle PSUs. However they are nto efficient at all. Most off of a 12V system will be 100watts. 24V would be 200watts. And you need a 48V system to do 300watts. Plus they are expensive. I would just use a DC-AC converter. Secondly the 12V rails wont run A64s. We are talking 4amps to 6 amps on the 12V rail. I know a few that are wired differently. At 24V one PSU does 30 amps on the 12V rail. But because all of it is involved in the 12V, you only get 180watts of power. (google DC-DC computer PSU for my findings.)

 

[mzkhadir]

why not just get the kenwood keg ?

http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/kenwood_music_keg.php

 

[Some1ne]

With your system specs you should actually be able to get away with using something as small as as a 300W inverter. I run a much more robust system, and it never pulls more than 250W from the outlet under full load. One recommendation that I do have is to get a sine-wave inverter instead of a square-wave one. They cost a bit more, but I used to use a 75W square-wave inverter to power my laptop in my car, and it ended up frying my laptop power adapter (didn't hurt the laptop luckily), so it may pay to get a sine-wave inverter to make sure that the signal doesn't hurt your PSU.

 

[logic0010]

ok why do i use thet system you ask
because i want a pc in my car trying my ideas out i had an xp setup i was gonna use but i totaly fried that pos trying not to use a ps just car voltage and using various crud to drop the voltages to the respected values. well it worked untill i started the cae and my 12v turned into 14.4v so the only other parts i had left were these so there next in what i fear is the line to become toast the sine wave inverter sounds like a good idea but i dont care. i have a 300va battery back up surge protector thats going to go in it also. i also have prepaired a special setup to elinimate voltage spikes. the inverter is going to go on a 5 faraid capicator. im gunning a little bass setup as well so that concerned me too. cooling is my biggest concern atmim about to wc the dam thing just for peice of mind and put the radiator in my air vents idk maby....i do have a big water setup in my room.