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ivan
30-12-06, 01:52
Hi all,
Any advice on this project would be gratefully received:

I'm in the process of building up a carputer system.
The PC I'm using is a Dell Optiplex SFF SX260 w P4 2.4, 1Gb RAM and 20Gb 2.5" HDD. I'll also have USB wireless and USB GPS dongles attached. Video will be fed into a 7" in-dash screen and audio into the existing Alpine CD players aux input.

The Dell uses an external power supply 'brick' that puts out 12V @ 12.5A so obviously I'll need a fairly hefty power regulator to run it instead.

I'm looking at using the Carnetix CNX-2140 (http://linitx.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_94_96&products_id=1222) as it can push out 12V @ 11.3A (nearly the required max) and has a lot of monitoring and control options such as delayed startup and shutdown, input and output voltage monitoring etc. Bloody expensive at £89, but I don't see any other option. :(

Do you think it's going to cause any excessive drain problems on the car battery? Obviously, the engine will be running when the PC's on (with occasional short bursts 'engine off' to demo it ;))
Will the alternator be man enough?

Many thanks in advance,

SupraJames
30-12-06, 01:58
Cant see it taking more juice than a large-ish sound system, as long as the engine is running I cant see any probs. I do short bursts on engine off with a 2 amp system, underbodies and engine lights all on, I do have a power cap as well though, but as long as its only short bursts will be fine. Might be wise to upgrade your battery though.

ivan
30-12-06, 11:39
Thanks James.

Does anyone know the alternator rating?