Hi all,

I need some help, I ran a positive wire from the battery for the PC and grounded it near the glove box.

The thing is now, that the PC does not work or works than hangs (By the way I have the C134 mini ITX).

1) Should I get the ground from the battery or not?
2) Do I have to get some sort of other power supply

Thanks,
Az

 

well first off, does the incar PC have a power inverter? (12V to 112/120V)?

it should be grounded less than a foot from the start of the ground wire, preferably on an existing ground point, or somewhere like that.

if the PC does not have an inverter, you can go to radioshack and get one. they run from about $30 to $120 for them depending on the number of outlets and amperage.

Hope this helps
Brandon

 

It has a 12v power supply (Casetronic - I think the name is) it came with a 120V power supply in and 12V out and now I hooked it up directly to wire I ran

The grounding point is good I tested it. But anyway if it was more than a foot away from the start point will that cause it to do what its doing?

Thanks,
Az

 

Ok, this is the thing it worked fine but if I give it a bit of gas it shuts down

 

I just ordered the "Morex full function Car Power Kit" from Lilli Computers........ it has a 12V Voltage Regulator ......... I hope the PC would work after this.

Did anyone use the Car power kit? here is a link for it

Morex full function Car Power Kit

 

Yeah, you would need the regulator and filter.
Car electricity are very unstable.

Higher voltage 14.4.. etc
Bad spike signal, from the alternator/distributor.

 

or its not getting enough juice to run the PC.

120watts is pushing it on a mini ATX, depends how efficient the PSU is. also what kind of stuff your running on it.

do you have DVD drives, GPS, other stuff?

 

Its an ITX (mini thing) and it only has a DVD, it will be used for E-manage and OBDII.

If I don't move the car the PC works fine, DVD and all.

I will keep you all posted on the out come. If it works fine, then I will take some pics and list the parts used.

I like the setup very clean with 7" LCD touch screen. And I have also installed a power supply switch in the glove box tray.

MadneZz, what is a filter?

Thanks,
Az

 

If you havent already done so, check out the power supply forum on www.mp3car.com. There's lots of discussion on what is needed and what the potential problems are. I also have a M10000 in a C134 that I will be installing but I haven't quite decided on a power supply yet. Seems like the best all around solution for an Epia based PC is the Opus 90W.

 

The car electrical are not clean, as in you do not get the 12volt that you need for most electronic expecting 12vdc. The voltage range from will varies from 11-14.4 volt or so. Especially when you gas it, the alternator put out more power/voltage.
Also, the alternator will put out small voltage spike up to 24v or higher, just a small pulse that can mess with the device.

Most Power supply circuit will have a regulator that regulate the voltage to 12v.. and will filter out any spike to give you a clean 12v signal.

But BPL is right, check with mp3car..
I know there is a DC-DC supply that you can get for the itX that will take use the car's power.

Personally, this is better since you dont have to use an inverter to convert 12v - 120v AC, then back to 12/5/3.3 volt that most MB need.

 

searcj Opus solutions. and PW-60 these are DC PSU. Some can be adjusted to start the comp on igniton and shut down after a specified time after the car is turned off. This will might help you. Again mp3car.com is a great resource. The people there are pretty helpful. ALso, if you want to calculate how much power your system needs u can use the "power calc" on the mini itx website. The you can use a voltmeter to compare your output in your car. Hopefully you will have enough juice.

 

opus 150w would solve any power related problem, but it is 100bucks or something around there. if I could run my PC on 150watts, I wouldnt hesitate for a second to use it. its a great PSU for any car PC. I thought you meant the mini-ATX, I think the epia is considered a microATX or something. even smaller and more efficient. ussually use a laptop hard drive with them too, which is also efficient.

 

Thank you all for your help all I will check out the sites mentioned

Az

 

The Opus 150W is $210 the 90w is $170 plus shipping, What every had said about power Flux is your Issue, I'm surprised you have not blown you PS or motherboard yet, I blew 4 PS and 2 Motherboards trying to wire the First In Z PC's like that

http://www.opussolutions.com/

Or you can Buy one from me I have 2 of the 150W in stock and will give you a good deal