Powering RPi in-car

[gtg93]

Hi All,

 

I've been wanting to do a RPi Carputer project for a while now, got a lot of it planned out barring how to power it all via the car. I've looked at a few solutions but have come across this and wondered what were peoples thoughts?

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CarNetix-DC-Powered-4-Port-CNX-P5USB-systems/dp/B004NDU37A

 

It'll only be powering the screen (7" touch) and the RPi. It generate enough output for each device, but my thoughts are would it hammer the battery?

 

Also, does anyone know of a similar product that doesn't need to be plugged into a PC to work? This one does, and I'm thinking it might be problematic with aLinux based OS. Struggling to find similar products that aren't standard cig lighter USB jacks.

 

TIA

[Miscbrah]

Hmmm. Dunno. You might get by with a regular car PSU that goes straight to the power button jumpers and then molex-to-usb for power, but that's a fair few converters and such: Bleh and then blergh?

[3s-gtech]

I have little 12v to twin USB ports installed in my cars to power sat nav and dashcam. These are hard wired in, just piggy backed from the radio ISO converter as it's easy to tap ignition switched power and an earth without cutting into the loom. They're very cheap on Ebay, but do interfere with the radio reception.

[gtg93]

I have little 12v to twin USB ports installed in my cars to power sat nav and dashcam. These are hard wired in, just piggy backed from the radio ISO converter as it's easy to tap ignition switched power and an earth without cutting into the loom. They're very cheap on Ebay, but do interfere with the radio reception.

 

Something like this? New Dual Double 2 USB DC-DC Car Converter Module 12V To 5V 3A 15W Power Adapter | eBay

Radio interference wouldn't bother me, as that'll be coming out

[twin--turbo]

My experience of My PI is that the file system is very sensetive to power failuers.

 

Car power delivery is neither clean nor reliable.

 

TT

[3s-gtech]

Some form of rectification is certainly desirable, it's worth checking voltages from any supply you wire in. My devices are designed to work from variable sources though, not sure how a RPi will do.

 

The linked item is exactly what I have.

[gtg93]

My experience of My PI is that the file system is very sensetive to power failuers.

 

Car power delivery is neither clean nor reliable.

 

TT

 

Some form of rectification is certainly desirable, it's worth checking voltages from any supply you wire in. My devices are designed to work from variable sources though, not sure how a RPi will do.

 

The linked item is exactly what I have.

 

I've found a little UPS that will run the Pi for a while and send the shutdown command - and apparently the device I posted regulates the power so I'm hoping between the two devices that should be covered nicely. What are your thoughts. Long term I'll want to replace the UPS with something that has rechargeable power obviously, but as long as I can get something in place to begin with I'll be happy.

[3s-gtech]

Looks ideal. Shouldn't be too hard to mod that to be rechargeable by the car's 12v supply. The shutdown command from it is handy too.

[sted]

could you not run the pi itself of a battery box (couple of nimh aa's) that when the car is on acts as a charger for said batteries?

 

the pi itself i dont see being a drain the screen maybe. Bear in mind on a camping trip many years ago i ran a 14" laptop via a power inverter from the car for several days without ever starting the car and the inverter told me to stop before the battery got anywhere near low

[gtg93]

could you not run the pi itself of a battery box (couple of nimh aa's) that when the car is on acts as a charger for said batteries?

 

the pi itself i dont see being a drain the screen maybe. Bear in mind on a camping trip many years ago i ran a 14" laptop via a power inverter from the car for several days without ever starting the car and the inverter told me to stop before the battery got anywhere near low

 

In short yes, but the screen I've looked at powers from USB, so it seemed easier to run everything from USB if such as device was available. I'm thinking whatever I decide is most likely going to be swapped and changed a couple of time until I get it right