[Lectraplayer]

Here's my suggestion: Since you're in an electrical engineering class, you should be able to research it easily, and it'd be good practice. Just run the 12V directly in and have a 5V limiter in parallel. You'll want filtering to eliminate noise, but you should be able to build a plenty strong enough power supply off of a few transistors, some zener diodes, and stuff. The only issue here is heat and impedence of your supply. It'd be good practice.

 

[Lectraplayer]

Most 12V devices work fine off of 14-16 volts anyway, so that isn't a major problem. As far as a display, you might wanna check www.ramseyelectronics.com (or some variation). Been awhile since I accessed that site, so it may be diferent from what I put here.

 

[Lectraplayer]

I have an idea: I think most LCDs run off of lower voltages like 12V, so you might wanna try a regular PC display and hook the car's electrical system to it appropriately instead of using the 120V power supply that comes with it. They usually tell you what voltage they run at on the case. Also, where have you thought about putting the LCD? Have you thought about maybe a small LCD in the floorboard sorta under your seat? Probably directly under your steering wheel.

 

[Lectraplayer]

Re: well

well, if a dc power supply is what you are after....

they make power supplies for a pc that connect to a car system.

and as far as making your own, that would work fine too, but the 12v in for the pc cannot be run straight in, unless your extra battery is being charged by a special charger running at 12v. if it is being charged by the cars' normal system, then the battery will actually be running between 14.8 and 16.2 volts, so you dont want to run that power straight into your machine. filter it all... a voltage of about 12.2 would be fine...

but really, go and buy an RV computer power supply....
it will run off of 12volts, and you wont even know it...

but what about your screens?

hmm, i think they prolly make 12v screens too..

~BoB~

Here's a good place to start!
http://www.xpcgear.com/powersupply.html

 

[Lectraplayer]

Re: Re: well

Here's a good place to start!
http://www.xpcgear.com/powersupply.html

Never mind. That's regular power supplies.:dead: It wouldn't let me edit or delete my post neither.