Can anyone recommend the best cabling method to use to install a Mac Mini and a GameCube in the boot?

How should i get my power to the boot to run the devices? And what type of grade cable should i be using to send AV signals to the head unit?

Thanks!

 

check out www.mp3car.com, really good info on installing car computers with a mac specific section.

 

thanks for the tip hahn.

i would still appreciate some advice here.

 

8 gauge wire going to your power inverter should be enough. As for how to wire it....look up top in the electronics section, and youll see Darkknights how to section. Wiring is in there!

 

so you think i will need an inverter?

considering that the mac and the gamecube both run on 12v is it necessary?

 

No. You would run 12V to the boot via a fuse and relay and then run the 12V direct to the devices. The Mini will require one of Apple's magnetic connectors or you could wire it in by tapping into the motherboard. Does the GameCube use an external power supply that outputs 12V or is it internal?

On a related question what sort of delays or buffers do we use for PCs in cars. You don't really want it firing up when you turn on the key, then losing power when you hit the start button. Ideally you would either have it starting after the engine is running (use a delay or charging sensor) or some sort of buffer and protector so that it maintains good power when the starter is running. Laptops have the right idea as they run off batteries but use the 12V to keep the batteries charged.

 

Hell yes, you need an inverter or a DC-DC power supply. You didn't read any of the links suggested did you? Seriously, READ this forums FAQ, check out the mac car specific forum here ( http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=40211 ), and try this site ( http://mac-mobile.com/ ) here. I promise if you read these you won't sound stupid anymore.

 

Powering a computer of any type in the car environment is the trickiest part. Fortunately, you have two choices here: Inverter or DC-DC power supply. Inverters convert DC power into AC power so that you can plug the Mini's white power brick into it just as you do in your house. The power brick then converts the AC power back into DC power. While this is inefficient and generates unnecessary heat, sometimes introducing noise into the audio system, several installations using inverters have been successful and it is a legitimate way to go as inverters can be found inexpensively.

DC-DC power supplies take the native DC power from your car and step it up or down to the voltages that the Mini requires. In the case of the Mini, it requires 18 volts and 13 volts to operate. Since your car voltages range from around 11 to about 15 volts, the DC-DC power supply has to both regulate the voltage coming in from your car to ensure a smooth and stable input to the power supply, which then outputs 18 and 13 volts of smooth and conditioned power to the Mini. Currently, there is only one supplier of DC-DC power supplies for the Mini - Carnetix, which manufactures the P1900 DC-DC power supply.

Pros of using an Inverter
1. Cheap
2. Easy to connect

Cons
1. No automatic startup and shutdown of the Mini. You will have to remember to select shutdown each time you get ready to turn the ignition off. You will also have to boot your Mini from scratch each time you start the car - a process which takes approximately 90 seconds before you can use the system

2. Most computers running on an inverters will not survive cranking the car engine ("survive crank"). That is, if you have the Mini operating and pull up to the gas pump, stop the engine but keep the power in the car on, the computer will not continue to operate when you restart the car. It will reboot. (SOME inverters will survive crank. Many people like the Coleman inverter and report that is survives crank but your mileage will vary).

3. Your Mini will not be able to sleep when the car is off. This is important if you want near instantaneous start up of the system (approximately 5 seconds)

The Carnetix P1900 DC-DC power supply eliminates the cons listed above.

 

I was just about to post the exact same text as the reason not to use an inverter.

In summary:
this is inefficient and generates unnecessary heat,

sometimes introducing noise into the audio system,

No automatic startup and shutdown of the Mini.

Most computers running on an inverters will not survive cranking the car engine

Your Mini will not be able to sleep when the car is off.

And another one they don't mention is that inverters are heavy.

 

As far as DC-DC converters are concerned I doubt anyone makes one for the current Mac Mini as it uses a new type or proprietry connector.



But any 18V converter spliced to the Magsafe connector will work. I have a Projecta unit: