More switched power sources?

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Apr 23, 2007 | 12:57 PM

kirk78h

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From: Bel Air MD

More switched power sources?

I'm still planning out my install, and need several switched power connections (monitor, laptop / docking station, Sirius tuner, rear camera, etc.) I've read the faq about picking up switched power from the yellow wire in the passenger footwell, and from fuse 22. I think I will need one dedicated to the PC. I still need to power the other three. What would be the next "easiest" source to tap into, and how do I go about tapping it? I would appreciate any and all suggestions on this one.

Kirk

Apr 23, 2007 | 02:37 PM

bbentley40

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From: Huntsville AL

I am coming off the yellow wire in the faq and it powers my PC. My PC then has an "anti-thump" feature that acts as a switched 12v power supply for my amp. If your doing a laptop carPC you will not have this option though. As for the monitor, what monitor do you have? I have the Xenarc with the auto on/off feature, so I just have it getting power from a cigarette lighter adapter that I spliced into the back of the cig lighter on the car. It is an always on power supply, but the monitor turns itself off when it does not have a signal coming to it.

Apr 23, 2007 | 03:54 PM

pentavolvo

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From: Dyer IN

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theres no reason u cant use the same source to power it all if you are worried about power draw maybe run a line straight from the battery and put a relay on it

Apr 23, 2007 | 04:05 PM

kirk78h

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From: Bel Air MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbentley40

I bought the Lilliput 7" model 629. If it shuts down automatically, this may be a non-issue. Thanks!

Apr 23, 2007 | 05:24 PM

bbentley40

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From: Huntsville AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirk78h

I bought the Lilliput 7" model 629. If it shuts down automatically, this may be a non-issue. Thanks!

I want to say, but dont quote me on this, that the Lilliput does not come with the auto on/off feature from the factory. But I am pretty sure there is a post somewhere on mp3car.com that tells how to make it do it. That was actually one of the deciding factors between me getting the Xenarc and the Lilliput.

Apr 23, 2007 | 11:51 PM

markcz

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From: North Augusta, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

theres no reason u cant use the same source to power it all if you are worried about power draw maybe run a line straight from the battery and put a relay on it

That's what I would suggest. A standard 30A automotive relay and a 20A 12VDC noise filter from Radio Shack can cleanly power lots of gizmos.

Apr 29, 2007 | 12:15 PM

kirk78h

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From: Bel Air MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentavolvo

theres no reason u cant use the same source to power it all if you are worried about power draw maybe run a line straight from the battery and put a relay on it

OK, I had no idea how to do this, but did a little research and found this how-to:

http://www.parts-express.com/resources/relays.html

This may have been obvious to most, but was a big help to a newbie!

Kirk

Apr 29, 2007 | 01:06 PM

markcz

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Joined: May 2003

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From: North Augusta, SC

Do you like RAP?

If you want to retain the Retained Accessory Power feature you can also get an Accessory Valet to use as your triggering voltage. Otherwise using the yellow wire will turn on/off the relay (and everything else) when the car is started/stopped.