CarPC withdrawing too much power??

[b33lz89]

here's the problem, if I leave my carpc on without music playing/not using the pc battery lasts to about an hour and half, but if i have music on (not blasting) or playing with the pc battery lasts for about 15 mins.. is this normal? the battery is brand new just got it from autozone (Duralast Gold battery) and if it matters I have 2 amps and 2 12" subs installed

[Waldo129]

Take the wattage of your PSU and divide it by 120, 120 representing 120 volts.

So say your PSU is 500 watts, so 500/120 is 4.16 amps.

Almost 5 amps constantly drawing from your battery will drain it quick.

Its like having your stereo at full tilt with the car off, the batter will die quick...

Its a whole different story if you just have a laptop charging, or your phone. But a legit PC running, yeah it uses some power, not an astronomical amount, but enough.

Solution: Buy a few more battery's, and have them wired up correctly to manage the power distribution.

Source: I work in IT at a large distribution company that runs millions of dollars worth of servers, talk about some power :)

Also, Westchester where? Ohio?

[b33lz89]

psu is 160w so doing the math i would get 1.3 amps
is that a lot to drain battery quickly? Also i thought about adding another battery would I need to upgrade my alternator? What if i just get a capacitor?
and last, Westchester NY

[Waldo129]

It adds up quick. Capacitors are an absolute waste of money in my opinion. They draw more current then they can supply. I would get a second battery and place it in the back. Either get the same battery and make some mounts, or get a dry-cell and put it where your spare is (that's what I did). The second battery will put "some" strain on your alt, but not enough to do extensive damage.

For example.. I had a Planet Audio BB 2400 paired with a Fi BTL 18 in my car, the amp put out true 2400 watts. I also had a dry-cell where my spare used to be. The amp lasted about 6 months...

A few months ago I had an electrical issue (nothing to do with the stereo setup) which I had replaced my battery and other multiple components trying to pinpoint the issue. I ended up having my alternator rebuilt. The guy said the alt didn't have much life left, I assume because of the excessive amp pull from the stereo.

So my suggestion to you is to get a second battery if you want to continue to run your CarPC.

Do some researching online. I would join SMD forums too! They have so much information, and so many different setups.

I work in Westchester, Ohio. Just curious ;)

[b33lz89]

awesome info bro thanks.. im gonna do a little more research

[captaingamez]

just stop playing World of Warcraft on your carpc bro.

[b33lz89]

just stop playing World of Warcraft on your carpc bro.

lol look at the irony.... Mr. captaingamez

[Waldo129]

lol look at the irony.... Mr. captaingamez

Just noticed that... haha

[AKAahlecks]

On his defense, he's not playing World of Warcraft on his CarPC :meek:

[captaingamez]

lololol, point taken, to be honest I have been using that moniker for years, I dont even know how I came up with it.

what exactly is a carpc for anyway?

[b33lz89]

to answer your question i do not play World of Warcraft. altho I'd prefer StarCraft (1000x better) but I am a PC Tech and CarPC comes in really handy and I know i can carry a laptop but its unique and when people see that they know i'm good with computers and it gets me more customers believe it or not...
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/nab33l89/carpc_zps5cff95b2.jpg

[Waldo129]

Ever come up with a solution?

[b33lz89]

ya I need to add more batteries in the trunk which I havent done yet!!

[captaingamez]

to answer your question i do not play World of Warcraft. altho I'd prefer StarCraft (1000x better) but I am a PC Tech and CarPC comes in really handy and I know i can carry a laptop but its unique and when people see that they know i'm good with computers and it gets me more customers believe it or not...
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj518/nab33l89/carpc_zps5cff95b2.jpg

that is pretty cool, looks like some wiring work to install. so is everything run through there? like, stereo, nav, all that good stuff?, do you have k manager in it?

also, is the main screen the entire unit? or is it connected to a brain box of some sort in another area of the car?

nice job moving your heater controls btw.

one possible solution is to get a more powerful alternator, unless your trying to run it while parked, then batteries would obviously be best.

[Waldo129]

ya I need to add more batteries in the trunk which I havent done yet!!

Try looking on craigslist. I always see people parting out serious car audio systems for cheap, so they can start their next build.

[b33lz89]

that is pretty cool, looks like some wiring work to install. so is everything run through there? like, stereo, nav, all that good stuff?, do you have k manager in it?

also, is the main screen the entire unit? or is it connected to a brain box of some sort in another area of the car?

nice job moving your heater controls btw.

one possible solution is to get a more powerful alternator, unless your trying to run it while parked, then batteries would obviously be best.

I bought centrafuse, it has all that stuff gps, bluetooth music, wifi, I have kmanager which is awesome with kpro, the whole thing is inside the glove compartment thats just the screen and installation wise.. its easier than an indash..

I dont use the pc while i'm driving for other than music.. mostly im parked when I use it.. I am looking in Craigslist now for batteries.. thanks for the tips

[T_Virus]

wow, you are the 2nd person on here who has a car PC...The first one I've seen was Moogen's.