Simple in-car PSU design?

[Carl Farrington]

Hello everyone.

I wonder if anybody could point me towards a simple multi-output PSU which
can be run from a cars' ~12 - 14v supply?
I intend to run three devices. A small digital video recorder which requires
5vDC @1A, a CMOS camera which requires 12vDC @1A, and another camera which
probably requires between 5vDC and 12vDC (don't have specs to hand).

I don't need any funny auto power-off switching like the in-car ATX computer
power supplies do, as I intend to leave the system running 24/7. I suspect
the actual current requirements are very small. The above ratings are simply
taken from the included a/c adapters. I could measure actual current usage
later, but suspect the camera to be more lik 200ma, and not much more for
the recorder.

Does anybody know of either a very simple schematic, or a finished product
which I could buy that would run these devices?

thanks very much,

Carl

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

Hello everyone.

I wonder if anybody could point me towards a simple multi-output PSU
which can be run from a cars' ~12 - 14v supply?
I intend to run three devices. A small digital video recorder which
requires 5vDC @1A, a CMOS camera which requires 12vDC @1A, and another
camera which probably requires between 5vDC and 12vDC (don't have
specs to hand).

I don't need any funny auto power-off switching like the in-car ATX
computer power supplies do, as I intend to leave the system running
24/7. I suspect the actual current requirements are very small. The
above ratings are simply taken from the included a/c adapters. I could
measure actual current usage later, but suspect the camera to be more
lik 200ma, and not much more for the recorder.

Does anybody know of either a very simple schematic, or a finished
product which I could buy that would run these devices?

thanks very much,

Carl

Given their cost, you might as well use exactly what you're reluctant to
use. PSU's for mini ITX boards often go so cheaply on eBay that it's worth
it, and you can ground pin 4 (I think it's pin 4, the interweb will have
more certain info in ATX PSU terminals). The ones built for cars have extra
filtering and reservoir caps, and they're a far better bet than trying to
design one from scratch.

They even have nice wires trailing off them ready for connecting stuff.

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

I guess you'll have seen this M1-ATX, but it might be worth a close look
even if you have.

http://tinyurl.com/ymfkt9

There's even one on eBay now too: Listing 170039597684.
Lots of M2-ATX's too, one in UK (160040656843), lots in US. Looks like
less than $80 or £50 will get you one of those. Cheaper to buy US even if
you're in UK, probably, even after paying postage.

Jumpers to set power handling, you can probably set it always on with a
combination of that, and ground pin 4, or whatever pin it is to dupe it
into being on all the time.

 

[Carl Farrington]

I guess you'll have seen this M1-ATX, but it might be worth a close look
even if you have.

http://tinyurl.com/ymfkt9

There's even one on eBay now too: Listing 170039597684.
Lots of M2-ATX's too, one in UK (160040656843), lots in US. Looks like
less than $80 or £50 will get you one of those. Cheaper to buy US even if
you're in UK, probably, even after paying postage.

Jumpers to set power handling, you can probably set it always on with a
combination of that, and ground pin 4, or whatever pin it is to dupe it
into being on all the time.

Thank you. I have found the M1-ATX at linitx.com and for £46, it seems
ideal. Apparently I can disable all the smart power-off stuff with jumpers.
Perfect.

thanks

Carl