In car PC help

[addictweb]

I'm going to try to put a PC into my car and i was wondering how the best way to wire them up is. I'm a relative novice to car electronics so i wanted to check with people how knew b4 spending lots of cash.

I asume i'll need a power inverter to get 240v power to the system? Wot kind of strain does this put on the battery? Is an improved altenator necessary?

Wot connections can i use to have the audio playing through my sound system in my car? Do i need a special head unit? or will most standard CD players have an input? If so, what kind of connectors/cables do i use?

Also, are there any simple ways of getttin the power on/off to coninside with the ignition, although if the power usage is high then having it on all the time might by unpractical?

Monitor wise Im hoping to buy a 7" LCD, is the detail high enough on these to use a computer effectivly? Will the more expensive ones help me more? And what connectors do thy take?

I'm planning on using a shuttle PC with a windows OS. Thanks a lot 2 anyone who can provide any answers or help. This seems like a cheaper option than a game console and DVD player.

Thanks again

Tom

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[eengrms 10+ year member]

Originally posted by addictweb I'm planning on using a shuttle PC with a windows OS. Thanks a lot 2 anyone who can provide any answers or help. This seems like a cheaper option than a game console and DVD player.

I doubt that.

The problem is not a lot of us are experienced in your funky european power systems. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

With that said it should be easy to permanently wire in a power convertor that is switched on with the ignition. Mounting and hiding it might be a problem. You're going to need a much bigger screen than 7" to effectively use a computer, imo, I would go with a 10" or alrger if you have the room. What kind of car is this going into? You shouldn't need a new alternator. Those power convertors don't use that much juice, and you shouldn't need that big of one- 5A maybe at the most since your screen will be 12V. As far as your HU, some have inputs some don't- does yours?

 

[eengrms 10+ year member]

This belongs in the Multimedia Forum!

 

[addictweb]

its going in a citroen ZX, its not big. I have an Alpine CDA-7894 (MP3 CD), i really dont know if it has inputs. What kind would they be?

 

[eengrms 10+ year member]

Originally posted by addictweb its going in a citroen ZX, its not big. I have an Alpine CDA-7894 (MP3 CD), i really dont know if it has inputs. What kind would they be?

I'm sure it has a set of RCA's on the back for an Aux input. When you cycle through your sources does it go Radio/CD/CHANGER/Aux?

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

I agree with eengrms. The power requirements for a laptop is minimal, a 200 watt inverter would more than handle it. If your HU doesn't have aux inputs, you can always get an FM modulator and hook it up that way.

 

[fantomas 10+ year member]

a laptop or a pc? laptops probably have a car adapter charger. you need the power convertors that have enough wattage output.

 

[dave_3148 10+ year member]

if you dont have a rca input you can get a fm modulator for 20 bucks or so on http://www.partsexpress.com