[NeverSnake]

I was thinking of trying to run a PC of a caravan battery but since I can't put 12v or car into the forum search and caravan doesn't turn up anything useful I'm stuck for a useful starting place.

[DaveSauce]

did you try "car pc"

anyway, it's possible, but hard to do. The first thing you need is a transformer to get the 12vDC to 120vAC...that is, if you wish to put a normal PC in a car. You could probably get a laptop working with little extra effort....

Anyway, it has been done before...the main issues are heat and power. I don't know if an alternator can power the car, it's auxilary components (lights, stereo, computer, etc.), AND a PC at the same time....but I do know that people have managed to do it. The next issues are input and output. A lot of people use just a numpad for their comptuter, in order to use winamp. If you wish to have a fully functional computer, then you won't be able to do this. And as for display, those winamp computers usually use a small dash-mounted LCD....6" is probably a good size for that. But again, if you want a fully functional computer, then you will have to go bigger....but definately you will want a flat-panel LCD.

I'm sure someone will come along and reply....it has been done, it's just a matter of waiting for those people who have done it to read and reply, hehe.

[Caeberos]

you did mention you are using a Caravan, does this mean that you have one of those tv screens on the inside? All you mentioned was power, and that is possible, you just need an transformer like he said, do you have the finer details of the project thought out?

[Shade00]

Originally posted by DaveSauce
did you try "car pc"

Car PC doesn't work in search, either, since both words are under four characters.

[twest17]

i think you can use * to make your words longer

[dartor]

If you are looking to put an comp/MP3/DVD player in your car check out http://www.mp3projects.com/. They have a biziliion articles and links and good stuff.

There are two ways to power a comp from a car DC->AC->Comp Power supply or DC->DC->mobo.

The first method only requires an inverter(30 bucks) that plugs into the car lighter outlet. This the cheapest easiet but most ineffecient way of doing it since you go from DC->AC then to DC at the mobo.

The second method is create or buy a DC->DC power supply and hook the 12 and 5 and 3.3v lines directly to the mobo. Unfortunately, DC->DC converters are ungodly expensive(100 to 200 bucks) but are more efficient.

As far as running directly from the battey, it's probably not a good idea. The spikes and drops and noise would probably fry most electronics. Ever seen those huge a$$ smoothing caps on car audio amps?

[Mr. $T$]

Check out www.miniitx.com and take a look at there super small and low power VIA processors and motherboard combos.

And you can buy one of those 12v Car adaptor to standerd AC oultets, then plug a powersupply directly into the inverter.

[NeverSnake]

I havn't decided on the fine details yet - I just wanted to see if it was likely to be possible. It'll be running off two 80A/hr batteries.

[BlueWraith]

www.mp3car.com also has some very helpful articles and some really awesome setups.

[AtomicWind]

www.dashpc.com not exactly a caravan, but it has computers in cars and what not, haven't really looked at it in a while.