Maximum PC

I want to build a computer for my Ham Shack. Most equipment now bought to use in Ham Shacks, is powered by a 12 VDC buss. I am no different. I have a 30 Amp power supply (20 amp switching supply as a backup). I have built 3 computers in the past, but I have never thought of nor seen a 12 Powersupply. Is there one made that will use 12 VDC and then break it down to the +5 and -5 (and what ever else is needed)? I would want a computer in my shack that would be up when I use battery power (Gen set or deep cycle batterys) as backup in case of a hurricane.

This has my mind racing and I am wanting to get building on this thing. I would not even want a real powerhouse CPU as a Ham Shack computer is not runnign Graphics or a lot of number crunching, What CPU would I be looking for (or would I be tied to a Motherboard and thet would dictate the CPU? What type of moniter would I need, I have not researched, but some of the LCD screens have wall warts, I guess I would want to find one that is powered by a 12 VDC wall wart, or maybe use an inverter just for the screen.

Any answers, or ideas?

thanks all,
Steve
smyers10

If you're building from COTS parts, you shouldn't be using anything other than an ATX spec power supply, which can supply ±12V, ±5V, and 3.3V, along with a few other signals. So you should just get an inverter that can supply enough power to the entire system.

As for CPU, it really depends on what you want to do. If you want the best of the best, the system cost carries a $1000 price tag right off for the processor. So what's your intended purpose, and what's your budget?

What the heck is a ham shack?

I think the Previous picture covers the question "What is a Ham Shack!" quite well.

Steve
KJ4SLK

I know this sounds dumb, (I feel dumb), I just found the Reply to button! I did not know how to, I replyed to the two messages left on here but it was a PM, not out in public and I did not want them to be private.

I think my question boils down to: Do they make a power supply for a computer that takes a 12VDC input and provides the correct voltages to the computer? If there is such an animal, is it for only one MB or can it be used for all MB? If it is for one type of MB, what type of proccesers am I limited to?

Thanks,
Steve
KJ4SLK

Well there was a company that was making a motherboard for 12V inputs only, but it only exists as a concept. So no, there's nothing on the market for what you want.

If you're really ballsy, get a laptop and do the DC-DC conversion from there.

I hoped that would not be the answer. Thank you for the information.

Steve
KJ4SLK

There are many computers on the market that will take a DC voltage supply, typically they are lower performance systems. There is an entire subset of computers for car use that will most likely be 12-14VDC systems. IIRC many of these run mini-itx motherboards, they are often used in robotics work (we used one in our autonomous lawnmower)


You can also look the stuff made by Zotac, newegg carries some of them. They are low power machines and take in a 19VDC, shouldn't be too difficult to find a Dc-Dc puck to generate that.

You can also look through this website to see if anything fits your needs:
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/

Massimo, Thanks for that lead!! I will look that site up and see if any fit. MUCH Appreciated!

Steve
KJ4SLK

There are some cavaets to this approach. The first is that the power supplies on some of chassis available only supply about 60W-90W. Like for example the Antec ISK110. This means their DC-DC converters were probably designed around that with some room to spare. If you're looking for something that'll last, this limits your processors to something Atom/Fusion based at worst, Celeron/Pentium or Athlon II at best.

I still think, if performance is your requirement, you should get a laptop and make a DC-DC converter for it.

Happy to help Steve, I hope you can find something in there you like.

Naa, We were running an i3 or an i5 in the lawnmower, I forget which. He should be able to build something around the mini-itx specs that fits his needs.

This little guy right here is a 160W unit, that should get him into the " i " range pretty easily.

Well this is out of my league then

Well, I have solved my problem (sort of). In the Base Exchange (BX for thoes in the Military) in Belle Chasse LA, I found a HP product that is listed for use with HP Laptops. It has a car plug (cigarette lighter) or 110 VAC. There are even several size barrel pluggs to fit into the unit to cover different HP Laptops. It was listed as a "Travel Power Supply" Model DV574A/PC628A On the "Brick" its self "Series: ADP-90ADC+ HP Series: HSTNN-AA04 AC Input: 100-240-1.6A(1.6A) 50/60HZ DC Input: 10-32V =====11A Charge Mode Output: 18.5v (18.5V) ===4.9A(4.9A) Non-Charge Mode OUTput: 15.0V(15.0A) ===6.0A(6.0A) Total 90W Max From the Specs I would say you can use it in Europe (220 VAC 50 HZ) I tried it with both of my Laptops (one is dedicated to doing Digital Modes in Ham Radio) and they work well! Thank you all for your input and help. I hope is will help someonre in the future as when a Hurricane or Tornado takes power out, here is a useful device that will keep you up on information on the internet or Short Waves.

73
Steve