I am looking at getting a "cheap" laptop, upgrading it to so decent standards and using it in my truck for a GPS. I can get the antenna for the GPS and I have the software, but I don't have a computer to leave in the truck. What would it take to run an older (Read: 2002-2003) desktop inside the truck? I can mount the tower anywhere (I have an old computer that I don't use for anything anymore) and I would fab a mount for a small flatscreen monitor. What would be the problems with doing this? Why am I having an insane idea? Or is this feasible? I want it to run off 12 volt auto systems, but I don't plan on running it too long without the truck on. Or I would just put it into sleep mode. I would prefer that this be a fairly easily removable system. My main concern right now is; will it work?

 

It could work. Probably the best way to do it would be with a power inverter to convert the 12v power to 115v. To find out how large of an inverter you would need, add the wattage of the computer and the flat screen. You might have to take the cover off of the computer to see how many watts the power supply uses.

Other than the computer taking up space and the wires making a mess, I would be concerned about the hard drive crashing if you hit a chuck hole when the computer is on.

 

google carputer

this is just too much for me to explain

 

Agreed.

Also Inverters will blow up your Power supply. There are custom Power Supply's you can buy for this type setup.

They will resist the Cranking amp spikes when you start the truck, and do an auto shutdown when you turn the truck off.

 

Thanks for the replies, but I have abandoned this idea for now.

 

don't most laptops run on 12v ?