Hi guys,

I'm going to start working on my install of a PS2 in the glove box, LCDs on the headrests and the Sokolov box this weekend. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for where to get power for everything? The Sokolov box I'll use the Navi power since the current draw isn't much. I also got an AV switcher which maybe the Navi can power also. But I am wondering where to get power for the PS2 and LCDs screens.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I can do some add-a-circuit stuff, that's not a problem, I'm just wondering where I should take from. Or maybe I should tap into the lighter plug on the console or in the armrest?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rob

 

one of the 12V power plugs (aka cigarette lighters) I would imagine those have a 12V draw, just gotta check the amperage and use the proper fuse

 

your can use a power inverter.. if not try to find a way to convert the ac power from the ps2 to dc power.. dont know how but there should be a way...

 

I'm definitely going to be using a power inverter for the PS2. I've done tons of research to get a 12V->8.5V converter with 5.3A but it just doesn't exist. So since the PS2 needs about 50W, I'm going to find a small power inverter. I just wanted to know where I should get power from for everything. Looks like it's going to be the lighter circuit. If anyone has other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

 

You may want to wait on that power inverter -- the 12v adapter for the new PS2 looks to be coming soon.
Here's a link to the manufacturer

And here's a link to a company in the UK that looks like they will be selling them.

I'm in the process of setting up a back-seat monitor system for a GameCube, new PS2, and DVDs via the PS2. I'm going with a headrest-pole mounting bracket for the monitor since the headrest is too high for a 9 year old, and because I want to be able to remove the monitor quickly when it's not in use.

For power, I cut a small slit in the carpet under the front passenger seat, and fished a couple of lighter socket extension cords up to the carpet opening behind the radio. From there, I ran them to the fuse box. There are some unused fuse sockets there for both switched power and always-on, so you can use an add-a-circuit thingy to tap into the power there. I found a 12v adapter for the GameCube, and it works great. Hopefully, the PS2 model will be available soon. I don't like the idea of using an inverter then dropping it back down to DC again. Good luck.

 

Thanks Buzz,

I agree with the whole DC->AC->DC thing. I wrote to Sony to ask them about a 12V adapter. They told me two things. 1) There are no plans to make a 12V adapter, and 2) The warranty on the PS2 is null and void if you install it in a car. I don't care about 2, but 1 concerned me. But with your links, it's obvious someone is working on it which is AWESOME!

As for the unused fuse sockets. Doesn't the add-a-circuit thing only work if there are already fuses in there? Did you put a fuse in the socket and then use the add-a-circuit? Which fuses did you end up choosing?

I'm going to be buying the tiltable LCDs so hopefully they will be viewable from the seats. But you're right, the headrests are quite high. I'll check out the ergonomics next time I'm in the car.

Where will you be putting the PS2 unit itself? I'm thinking the glove box since it's small enough to fit in there.

Thanks again for the links!

Rob

 

The add-a-circuit thing has two sockets, and I found out that they must both be filled with a fuse for it to work. But it comes with a red 10A fuse, and another blue one marked "E." I assumed this meant "empty," so I stuck that one in the socket opposite the wire coming off the add-a-circuit.

I'm not planning to permanently mount the PS2. Like I said, it's for a 9 year old (and will only be used in the car for trips), so he needs to be able to move it in and out of the car. My plan is to get the 12v adapter, put the PS2 in the floorboard opposite him, and plug it into the lighter socket I've installed under the seat.

I sprung for the Sony monitor , which at $300 is probably 3x more expensive than it should be. But it has an IR transmitter for cordless headphones and comes with a credit-card size remote which I think will control the DVD functions on the PS2. It has a control box with two A/V inputs that I'm locating under the seat. I took the seat back off and cut a small opening at the bottom of the rear seat pocket to pull the monitor cord through. When I'm not using the monitor, I can remove it and stow the cord in the seat back pocket. That way, there's nothing to tempt would-be thieves.

If anyone is interested, I could probably post some pics this weekend.

The fuses are on the far right of the upper row. I don't remember exactly which ones, but they're shown as "options" on the diagram on the back of the fuse box cover.

 

Buzz - Looks like something I was considering as well .. a totally transportable set-up with minimal impact on the vehicle .. very cool. I'd love to see some pics as well as get your impression of the LCD mount ..

 

Brewmaster -- I started out with this mount because I thought I would need the flexibility of the hinged arm. It's a nice mount, with an adjustable up/down swivel mount for the monitor, but I've found that I don't need the arm after all. The monitor is close enough for viewing with the arm folded against the seat, and when it is folded up it's not flush with the seat and is offset a few inches from center.

I've ordered this bracket, which looks like exactly what I'll need.

I'll post some pics this weekend.

 

Buzz,

I'm interested in pics.

My setup is going to be:



So I have quite a bit more wiring to do. That above diagram doesn't include power of course...

So I have a lot of planning to do before I get going.

Thanks for your input though, it was invaluable.

Rob

 

Buzz, if you have pics of which fuse you used, that would be awesome. I've got the whole car wired, now I just have to start hooking things up. Thanks Buzz!

 

Here's a link to pics of my install.

It's got a picture of the fusebox -- I don't have the fuse numbers handy but you can see where they go. The label on the back of the fusebox cover shows which ones are "IG" for ignition switch or constant power.

The idea behind my install was to have a quickly removeable setup for GameCube, Playstation 2, and DVD through the PS2 for a 9 year old child in the rear seat. The monitor is a Sony XVM-H65.

I do not have pictures of the seat back removal, but you pop it off from the bottom. There are two plastic clips there that will probably hold tightly, causing the sockets on the seat back to break. Once the back is loose at the bottom, you can unhook the two hooks at the top and remove. I had to use hot glue to repair the seat back clip sockets and get two new clips from the dealer to reinstall.

 

Thanks Buzz!

I checked out your pics. Very cool.

I already took apart my back seat and ran all the wires, so that part's done. I just haven't done the fuse stuff yet, but I can definitely see which ones you used. That's perfect. Thank you!

I'll post pics of my install soon.

 

Rob,

I emailed the Hong Kong firm with the PS2 12v cigarette lighter adapter yesterday, asking about North American distributors. No response so far, but I'll keep you posted.

 

Thanks Buzz,

I emailed the UK company (Big Cat Technologies) late last week and got a reply telling me that they are looking at end of January, beginning of February because of some trouble with component delivery times... I didn't ask them about NA distros. I'll do that now.

Rob

 

I've finally got my AUX in "working". I bought a Blitzsafe adapter which supposedly works for the TL. Well, turns out it's TL support is flaky at best. What I've discovered is if you connect the adapter AFTER the head unit has been turned on it always works. Problem is, the AUX adapter plugs into the AUX port behind the head unit. Since I'm doing a LOT of wiring in my car (for LCD screens, PS2, iPod integration, etc), I'm just going to run a switch to my center console (there's already one there to change the Navi screen to video input from the PS2) and have that switch power on the AUX adapter whenever I want AUX in. Then you press the CD/DVD button twice and it switches to CD-C mode and you have hardwired AUX in. FINALLY. The sound quality is incredible. Just a pain to have to turn the box on and off. Oh well.