Car Computer - 15" LCD, inverter and 2nd battery?

Joined: 26 Dec 2007 Location: Sunshine Coast

Im currently building an itx tiny computer into my car. im looking to run a 15" LCD from an inverter and just wondering if anyone knows what size inverter i would need and also if the main battery would take it or if a 2nd dedicated would be more suited?

going to hopefully mount it in the front passenger dash then have the keyboard flog down or pull out from where the glove box would be. no mouse just a rolling ball on this special keyboard

Thanks
John

Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Location: Brisbane

Mate, just looked at the back of my screen at work (19" old widescreen w/ speakers and tv tuner), runs 0.7A off 240V (160W Shocked

Can't be right...), but a normal 15" newie should be a lot better.

I just did a quick google, seems ~50W is a reasonable figure to run off, so I'd say a normal 300-ish W inverter should be OK (given the power consumption of a normal mini-ITX), and leave you enough overhead to charge your phone.

As to batteries, that sounds like a pretty low current draw, it depends on your use I guess. If it's for short-ish periods while the car's off, should be OK on your standard, if it's for extended periods while camping I guess a dual-battery system would be better, though others on here know far more than I do.

Why didn't you just pick up a laptop to use? Can get a low-end brand new one for <$500 these days.

Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Location: Melbourne

why not try one of these 12v touchscreen - and use an onscreen keyboard

http://www.brashimports.com.au/8%20Inch%20Touch%20Screen.htm

Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane

John,

I was looking at getting one of these within the next few weeks

http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/SHK1040/new_104_Desktop_TFT_LCD_Monitor_w_Touch_Screen__VGA.html

Runs on 12v or 240v so no need for the inverter which will save you some dollars.

Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: In the bush of S.E Melbhoon

i think you will find most of the lcds have a plug pack that an iec cord plugs into to give it ac power, if that is the case work out what voltage runs into the actual screen as it will be dc, then you can do away with nasty inverters and just make a voltage stepper!

Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: St Helena, Melbourne.

Just had a look at a 17" samsung lcd and the power adapter puts out 14V @ 3 amps.

Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Location: In the bush of S.E Melbhoon

so therefore so long as you have your ignition running (ie batteries charging) you can run the lcd straight off your cars power system and get near perfect energy usage as there will be no conversions, it would be more desirable though to find a 12V version, but it could always be doubled, then reduced to give you 14V constant, probably a safer option

Add a voltage doubler in a box, then do a resistor division to give you a 14V outlet, maybe even add a 14V reg at the output to keep it at 14V constant and bobs your uncle, or aunty

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne

whiteknight wrote:

John,

I was looking at getting one of these within the next few weeks

http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/SHK1040/new_104_Desktop_TFT_LCD_Monitor_w_Touch_Screen__VGA.html

Runs on 12v or 240v so no need for the inverter which will save you some dollars.

That screen looks great for the price.. seen equivalent screens for about $450 elsewhere..

anyone ordered stuff from gooddeals18 before ? I'm always kinda cautious ordering online, especially from OS..