12v Computers

[101RRS]

I have set up my GPS on my laptop and touchscreen etc. Works great - only takes about 10min to setup and connect everything.

So I wouldn't mind having a permanent setup - I can install a permanent laptop for about $500 but getting a 12v computer or building one is another option.

Where can I buy parts to build a small 12v computer in NSW/ACT.

Thanks

Garry

[LR V8]

Gary,

Don't you just need a 12v to 240v power inverter thingie ?

I've seen them on one of the ford forums... in those bling bling cars that have PS2 or XBOX's fitted...

Cheers,

Pete

[George130]

You can use a converter but then you are going from 12-240 back to 12 volts. I never managed to find anywhere in Canberra that sold them

[Quiggers]

Some laptop devices, are not 12v,

the solo battery may be split and may supply (combinations of) 19v, 17v, 12v, 5v, depending on type...

taking the easy path, and i know it sounds like a ridiculous loop, if i had to run a laptop in a car, i'd get an inverter.

for less than $100 i'd have enough 240v's to power the laptops transformer - yes i know this sounds nuts, but its the easiest way to go...

unless the laptop has a dedicated 12v connection...
then its as simple as amperes

GQ

[Graeme]

My laptop uses a 15v power pack on 240v but works fine from the car battery. Its an older Toshiba for which I also have a docking station. The docking station is permanently in the car with power, GPS, monitor and USB hub already plugged-in. Just insert he laptop and go!
But I understand that more modern laptops need a few more volts.

[feral]

No need for a converter as you can now buy 12 volt input power supply and run normal, off the shelf computer parts.

So now you can buy any small desktop, change the power supply, hook it up to your touch screen and away you go. The hard drive may take a hammering but if you are prepared to sacrifice one every couple of years and their cheap enough you could do it. Just don't have anything valuable that you want to store.

The only problem you have is where to put it all

[jsp]

better off going to tricky dickies or similar and buying a DCDC converter power supply for your laptop. Make sure you get a good wattage one, I had a 60watt unit and it wasn't strong enough to run and charge the laptop (old compaq armada E500) at the same time. Prefer at least 75 or 90.

Much more energy efficient than a 240v inverter and then back to what ever the laptop runs on.

Depends though if you want 240 in the car for other things.

be careful, you will probably have to shield the 240v inverter or DCDC power supply as they might cause interference with schmick stereo's n stuff in the car.

Then again if its simply about money a 240v inverter from Kmart for $50ish is better than a DCDC PS from tandy/DSE for $100ish.

Laptops are easier to startup/shutdown. You can make a simple circuit up to power them up on ignition and simply use windows power management to shut them down / suspend after a few minutes on battery (no ignition - no DCDC/240v inverter). If you go the "12 car pc" you need to get into proper controllers to do this, again they aren't too expensive but probably adds another $75 to the project, and I have seen a few go bad and flatten the car battery even though they are meant to have a cut out at certain voltages

[101RRS]

Thanks guys for your comments - I already run a new toshiba laptop in the car from the cars 12v supply - all works well. I can simply get a another cheap laptop second hand and install it permanently in the car and it will run off 12 volts fine.

However I do know that you can buy dedicated 12v in car computers but not sure where or how much they are. They are bulit along the lines of desktop PCs in that they have plug in components and boards rather than like a laptop with fully integrated everything. They may be nothing more than minitowers with 12v power supply that has 5v takeoffs for those bits that run off 5volts. I have also heard of people building incar computers but I am not sure whether these were old laptop components or something else.

I am not a fan of using inverters in cars when being driven - I know of at least one case of a rescue worker being electrocuted by such a car after an acident - fortunately the person was not badly hurt.

Any other thougts would be appreciated - if nothing comes up I will just look at a cheap second hand laptop and mount it permanently.

Thanks

Garry

[kaa45]

You mean something like this:
http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/category.101/.f
or
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1858814,00.asp
or
http://www.mgram.com.au/index.php?cP...78dd3e127b244c

[cockie55]

I am nearly finished building my system for my D1 and will post a worklog pics and parts list soon. Components have been local, US and Belgium (AM tuner are rare).

It is based upon a DC powered mini ITX size motherboard (170mm X 170 mm) running Core 2 duo mobile. 2 1/2 inch SATA HD sitting in a 5mm extruded heatsink style case that only 2 inch deep.

Features inc wireless broadband and network with exterior high gain antennas, 2 GPS mapping platforms, Analogue/digital TV, AM/FM radio, Dash mount DVD burner/multi card reader, 4 channel 360 W amp, engine management via ECU, external camera and more.

All controlled via 8 1/2 inch overhead VGA touch screen and voice recognition.

Yeah I know ....more $ in this than the D1 worth... ...but worth it when you see looks of envy from >$100K RR and other owners