> > The worst problem about running power directly from the car's supply is
> > that it's not a clean, steady stream of juice. Computers run best on clean
> > power, and a car's power is anything but. Hence, the deal of being grossly
> That's an understatement; voltage can fluctuate
> between 8 and 15V as different subsystems in the car
> are turned on; then there are spikes in excess of 100V
> induced by different systems; and then, if your battery
> contacts are less than perfect you can have 30VAC, rectified
> (or not, if the rectifiers fail in a particularly nasty
> mode!) from the alternator.
Yes, but that AC (sometimes quite a bit higher than 30V (220v?)) is THREE
PHASE! What kind of computer were you planning to run?
Adding major mass of batteries can sink much of the variation.
Power CAN be cleaned up.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
Received on Thu Oct 12 2000 - 12:27:42 BST