Carputer 101

[SilverSquared 10+ year member]

I want to run an external HDD, but all the ones I saw claim they need another/external power source, which is A/C. And I will not put a power inverter to run one.

Anyone you guys running are powered by just USB or whatever?

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

I'm using a simple 50watt power inverter. I just have to make sure I'm safely removing everytime on the computer. I also have an external 2.5" hdd it runs off usb.

 

[Defiler 10+ year member]

problem with that would be it doesn't have a shutdown/startup controller for that psu resulting in voltage dumps.

This really is not a big problem. In past situations I just wired a power button using CAT5 to the front of the car and set up XP, in the power options, for when the power button is pressed it shuts the computer down. I personally like this setup as you have control over the computer starting up or shutting down.

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

I went crazy with my power control.

First of all I have a power supply with a startup controller. It will turn on and off automatically with the key. I also have a switch wired up so that I can reboot the computer while the car is running without having to turn the key off (or keep the computer turned off when the key is on). And lastly I wired an unused channel on my car alarm to a relay so I can also start/shutdown the computer remotely with my 2-way remote.

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

I also have an override switch as well hooked up. I usually use it whenever I take my car to the dealership or whenever I get my car valet parked.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

hey i'm looking for a board to use in my car. i originally planned to go the turion route, but i think i'm just going to go with a mini-itx board, as the mini-itx turion compaitble boards are way expensive! i was looking at this via epia board, wondered if any of you all had experience with it. http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/78_93/products_id/554

 

[Defiler 10+ year member]

It's a good board but what are you planning on running on your carputer?

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

well pretty much just for music, dvd, and if i can ever find a signal, surfing the web. thats why i was thinking the 1.3ghz should be enough for that.

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

im satisfied with my m10000 i dont see why u wont be satisfied with the m13000 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

im satisfied with my m10000 i dont see why u wont be satisfied with the m13000 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

well i was looking for the m10000 on newegg, they had it a couple months ago, but now its gone //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif. but they do have this cn13000g for almost the same price //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/up2something.gif.dd110ecf3ae4b76050d87598f2f8de7c.gif

 

[garrettpf 10+ year member]

I have a computer power supply that is powered off of 12V. I guess I should take some pics and post it in the FS section. If anyone who reads this is interested, please e-mail me. I purchased it several years ago to build a PC for my car since it could hold music, do dignostics on my car and also run wireless. The problem is when ever i build a computer for it, i end up giving the computer away to someone in need //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

anyone have experience with jetway boards? they have a 1.5ghz board on ebay for about $170, but i've heard they dont work well with 12v power supplies.

 

[pwnt by pat 10+ year member]

I have the jetway board with the AMD Geode 3000 HX (I think it's HX), 1.4 ghz. Runs real nice.

 

[.::DuD3::. 10+ year member]

I have the jetway board with the AMD Geode 3000 HX (I think it's HX), 1.4 ghz. Runs real nice.

have a link? what power supply are you using?

 

[pwnt by pat 10+ year member]

Jetway J7F3

http://www.jetwaycomputer.com/itx.html

opus 80w with startup/shutdown controller