PDA

View Full Version : Car PC electric wiring question

POST
07-04-2006, 05:00 PM
I know this is weird but bare with me.

Is it possible to cut a regular computer power cable (the one that plugs into the wall from the PC's PSU) and route it through say a distro block into my car's current shitty electrical system?

Is this even possible or is it too much of a fire risk/ too much current running through the line which the PSU can't handle?

I'm just not liking the whole "buying a mini-psu" thing.. =\

In my opinion this way just might be a buttload easier.

Thanks for the replies
Notladstyle
07-04-2006, 05:36 PM
PC PSUs do not have the capacitance to withstand the sudden drops in voltage (12 to 10 when cranking, 12 to 14 when operating high current components etc...) that a car's electrical system will present.
You could always use a 120v inverter to up the voltage and just plug it in but you would be adding a good 5amp overhead to heat and inefficiency in the conversion (12 to 120 to 12).

Plus, 12v to 12v PSUs are usually built with soft off and voltage sensing switches that keep your battery from dying and allows your computer to shut itself down or go into standby when the car is shut off (similar to a soft off switch on a desktop) and they are designed to handle cranking voltage surges that could kill a 120v PSU.
TJElite
07-04-2006, 08:26 PM
I know this is weird but bare with me.

Is it possible to cut a regular computer power cable (the one that plugs into the wall from the PC's PSU) and route it through say a distro block into my car's current shitty electrical system?

Is this even possible or is it too much of a fire risk/ too much current running through the line which the PSU can't handle?

I'm just not liking the whole "buying a mini-psu" thing.. =\

In my opinion this way just might be a buttload easier.

Thanks for the replies

That plug is meant to bring 110/120v AC to your PSU...hooking it to 12v DC won't work.

Besides, as Dalton points out, you'll want a 'smart' psu for an in car pc. In addition to stabalizing voltage, and keeping it from killing your battery, it will also allow for control off of your ignition...key on, pc on, key off, pc shut down or hibernation.

Toby
POST
07-04-2006, 08:47 PM
That plug is meant to bring 110/120v AC to your PSU...hooking it to 12v DC won't work.

Besides, as Dalton points out, you'll want a 'smart' psu for an in car pc. In addition to stabalizing voltage, and keeping it from killing your battery, it will also allow for control off of your ignition...key on, pc on, key off, pc shut down or hibernation.

Toby

actually i was planning on unplugging it.

I know the benefits of having one but i hate the price and the way it looks... it looks a little complicated.
Notladstyle
07-04-2006, 08:56 PM
actually i was planning on unplugging it.

I know the benefits of having one but i hate the price and the way it looks... it looks a little complicated.

Theres an atx connector and molex plugs - its just like a desktop PS.
Rich
07-07-2006, 02:02 PM
You need someting along these lines:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_63/products_id/179

That's made for a mini-ITX.
POST
07-07-2006, 05:08 PM
You need someting along these lines:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_63/products_id/179

That's made for a mini-ITX.

Read my post before replying.

I know they have mini-itx and all sorts of shit for car pcs but i was really only asking if i could splice the cable and somehow connect it.
TBSpyder
07-08-2006, 12:16 PM
No, you need a decent sized power inverter. You're car's electrical system is completley different from a home's.
POST
07-08-2006, 01:29 PM
No, you need a decent sized power inverter. You're car's electrical system is completley different from a home's.

Yeah i was thinking that and i was just hoping it would somehow still comply.

Oh well. mini-psu in the future here i come.. =[
Rich
07-11-2006, 11:11 AM
Everything about the mini systems is awesome other than the price. I'd probably go for one of the fanless deals myself.