I am thinking about constructing a small computer to use on a boat where 12v power is available from the boat batteries. The voltage would normally vary from about 11-15 volts, as the battery is charged and discharged. The battery bank is substantial. Does anyone know of a PC power supply that would work off of a battery with this characteristic?

I know that I could buy a laptop, and use an inverter. I already have one on the boat, and do this all the time. However, I want to integrate the system a bit more, and be able to use the computer as a media center on the boat(music and TV tuner), for navigation, inventory, etc, and I think that I can accomplish this better if I build one myself. The small case designs described on Tom's intrigue me, but I haven't seen any power supplies that I could use without going thru an inverter.

Any help would be welcome.

Ralph Caruso

You need regulated 12v for stability, I've seen 12v regulators (active) and ITX power supplies that run off 12v.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

Thanks. I thought there might be something available, but I searched and could not find one. I realize that the battery supply will need to be regulated, because the boat battery voltage does vary - it rarely goes below 12v (only when I run the microwave), but is frequently above 12v when the various charging sources (solar, windmill, shore power, engine) are running.

I will search again - any hints about manufacturers would be appreciated.

I just found stuff doing a web search last time.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>