Beginner question about car power

[Balk]

Hey everyone:

My end goal here is to integrate a zune home docking center, and a LCD monitor into my car's dash. I've figured out the logistics of how I would assemble all of this. However I don't know how to power multiple electrical components, all needing a 12v power source.

I have tried to research all of this on my own through googling and other various sites and tutorials, but I haven't really found good information about the basics of a car stereo electrical power. Below is a picture of the main power source and questions about it follows:

What exactly is the white power dongle called? I have been unable to research it since I don't know the name of it.

More importantly, what steps would I need to take to convert this plug into something that can power multiple (2 or 3) 12v electrical components? Basically power something like this:

I have a cigarette lighter available, however I want to power everything internally without any wires showing, so using that isn't an option for me.

Thanks!

Click to read more...

 

[Blue Fury 10+ year member]

The dongle is called a wiring harness.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

how many power wires u have to wire up?

 

[91Chevy 10+ year member]

If you were REALLY lazy, you could just get a cheap power inverter and plug it into that //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

the zune dock and LCD run on 12v DC power?

probably not, in which case you will need a power inverter.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

the zune dock and LCD run on 12v DC power?
probably not, in which case you will need a power inverter.

Did you look at the image above in his post?

Here I will make it easier for you //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Lay off the sauce hoss! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

i didn't know wtf that was //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

i has no zune. i has ipod //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

12.5v DC at what amperage?

and a car idle's at 14.4v //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

i didn't know wtf that was //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif
i has no zune. i has ipod //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

12.5v DC at what amperage?

and a car idle's at 14.4v //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Meh, probably 500mA or less is my guess. You would need to look at the AC brick to know. He didn't post pics of that. I don't think 14.4V would be too much either. I think it would be fine.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

how would you keep it down to that low amperage? or it just takes what it needs? i'm thinking it would burn up in a car environment, depending on the wire size you try to run.

 

[loopkiller 10+ year member]

how would you keep it down to that low amperage? or it just takes what it needs? i'm thinking it would burn up in a car environment, depending on the wire size you try to run.

The draw of the device will dictate the amperage. I highly doubt that the AC brick was rated over 500mH was my point. The device most likely would never even pull that much, especially at the higher voltage.

 

[Bassman999 10+ year member]

I think I would personally buy a power inverter and run it to the oem powerpack(s). I know this is taking voltage up and down, but the alternative is to hope you dont damage the zune with 14.4v after cutting the oem plug off of it to wire it up to a relay or something.

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

i would personally run an inverter also.

 

[batmanwb 10+ year member]

i didn't know wtf that was //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif
i has no zune. i has ipod //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

12.5v DC at what amperage?

and a car idle's at 14.4v //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

Is this guy a complete jackass?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

 

[Drxz 10+ year member]

To reduce the car's operating voltage from 14.4v to 12v you can use a voltage regulator. If the device's amperage is under 1 amp then this regulator will work: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062600

There about the size of a stamp and require soldering to connect leads.

I've used these to knock down voltage for 12v PC case fans used to cool amplifiers. Minumum input voltage is low enough on this regulator to still operate under non-charging conditions (car engine off).

I'm sure there are voltage regulators for higher amperage loads if needed.

As far as a positive power source you can tap into your fuse panel using an Add-a-Circuit Fuse Holder, if it will fit: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=071-580. This is the simplest method but usually the most expensive($6-$8). You can tap into a 12v+ wire but I don't recommend it. There is also the use of ATO/ATC clip style fuse tap or ATO/ATC lead wire fuse tap. Depending on what is used the load wire may or may not need its own inline fuse. If you want more help on this, please pm me.

For your negative connection (ground) you can attach a lead with ring terminal to virtually an bare metal part of the car. Never hurts to check for ground using DMM first.

 

[blackdragonaudi 10+ year member]

I Am A Normal Person I Own A Ipod Something That Is Way Better Than The Zune.