It wouldn't be easy.
Power supplies for PC's generally produce four outputs: +12v, -12v, +5v, and -5v. Some PC power supplies also produce +3.3v and -3.3v. These voltages are measured with respect to a ground of 0 v.
Your car battery is probably 12v, which means that there is a total of 12v of potential between the + and - poles; so the cathode of your car battery gives -6v and the anode gives +6v with respect to ground. It's very easy to step these voltages down to +-5v and +-3.3v, just put the appropriate resistor into the circuit and there you are.
But stepping the voltage UP to +-12v is another matter entirely. For that, you will need a transformer of the correct size and winding. Further, you should be aware that most desktop PC's want to consume 100, 200 or even 300 watts, which may easily be more continuous power than your auto battery is designed to give.
2006-11-14 06:56:47
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answer #1
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answered by Keith P 7
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Sounds like you are running an inverter plugged into your cigarette outlet to get 120V AC which you then plug your computer into.
If your computer is a laptop, then you probably have a little black box tranformer which converts the 120V AC back to something DC. If this is the case, then you can probably get a cable to plug directly cigaretter lighter into laptop (if laptop is 12V or less) If laptop needs more than 12V then you will have to find/design a DC voltage regulator.
If on the other hand you are running a regular desktop PC, your biggest problem will be the monitor - A old style CRT probably needs the AC voltage to drive the syncs, even if not, its pretty hard to get at the inners of the monitor and find what power conversions are going on. This is true of a flat screen as well.
For the actual PC though, the 120V goes into a power supply that produces a variety of voltages (If memory servers there is at least a 5V and 12V source - newer computers with SATA and big CPU fans might need more), so you would have to wire into each of these with appropriate voltage regulators.
So I guess in theory it is possible.
2006-11-14 06:36:42
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answer #2
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answered by Leonardo D 3
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Measure the voltage at the PC power inlet when it is plugged in to the PC. If it's 12V or thereabouts, then you simply need to wire a suitable cable. If it's less than 12V, you can make yourself a simple voltage regulator with a few components (make sure it can supply the necessary current) - many circuits on the web. If it's >15V, then give up.
2006-11-14 06:41:53
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answer #3
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answered by amania_r 7
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in case you plugged in an AC grant even as that is meant to be DC, throw the unit contained in the trash! otherwise, flow to WalMart and purchase a normal 9V.DC plug p.c.. with a suitable connector plug on it. confirm the plug has an similar polarity because the unit on the socket, which could be marked someplace the unit's enter socket. You (maximum likely) can't use only a diode, besides the undeniable fact that the unit itself may have filter out capacitors interior of it. you may want to do no damage by attempting only a diode, besides the undeniable fact that. it would want to be stressed in series with both lead, with its anode in route of the potential grant. The cathode (banded end) turns into the valuable twine. That the diode is 3A. is unimportant. yet again, examine polarity, confirm the valuable is connecting to the plug because that is marked on the unit. If it extremely works and there is a huge HUM even as tried, flow to WalMart. yet opportunities are severe, you've ruined the unit. it would want to be unrepairable, as all the ICs/ transistors might want to have lengthy gone short circuit. LEDs will tolerate AC, as they're themselves diodes. for the way lengthy, although, might want to be questionable. Did you get its software disc, or is that lacking also? may be stolen sources!
2016-11-29 03:30:52
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answer #4
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answered by duperne 4
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