"Cini, Richard" wrote:
>
> Hello, all:
>
> This is a bit OT (because of the PC being used) but I believe that
> the application of the solution is timeless :-)
>
> Anyway, I want to run a "book" PC on 12v while I'm outside using the
> telescope (the PC will run the CCD camera setup). I gave some thought to
> simply using an AC inverter, but converting 12v to 120v AC and then back to
> PC power supply voltages seemed horribly inefficient.
>
> The power supply is rated 12v/5.5a and 5v/1a. It's an NLX-type
> motherboard, so the 12v is converted to 5v for various peripherals at the
> point of need. The 5v from the power supply is to support system standby
> mode only.
>
> I went hunting for DC-input PC-form-factor supplies but they're
> upwards of $200. I thought about directly connecting the battery to the PC
> and using a small DC-DC converter for the 5v, but the battery voltage isn't
> really 12v (it's more like 13.8v) so a regulator would be necessary.
>
> Any thoughts as to a simple, low-cost yet efficient solution?
>
> Rich
Have you looked around
http://www.mp3car.com? A site for putting PCs in
your car, as a music source. Here's some DC-DC converters you could
buy...
http://www.mp3car.com/hardwarecats.asp?Type=H&Cat=P
I vaguely remember seeing somewhere on that site a couple different
plans for building your own supply...
--
--- Dave Woyciesjes
--- ICQ# 905818
Received on Fri May 16 2003 - 12:37:00 BST