power source?

smilezdc · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 1122 Location: bayside NEW YORK

hey.. if i were to install a PS2 or some other gaming system in my car, how would i hook up the power source? like.. where the hell do u plug that in? hahah

lemme know

nooob question i know

hiimotto · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Dallas, TX

i use to have a ps2 in my glove box. i went to auto zone and bought one of those car socket things. i placed it under the passenger seat and all you do is hook the power to the battery and then a ground. and then all you have to do is plug the ps2 into the socket.

Other than that i don't really know haha

ack154 · Posted: 8/18/08 11:16AM Post subject:

My first thought would be power inverter... but I'm not sure what kind you'd need. I know they have different wattages and such.

smilezdc · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 1122 Location: bayside NEW YORK

mm... i have one of those cigarette lighter plug inverters... but i dnno how reliable that is.. anything thoughts?

ekgaudio · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Milford, MI

Look on the PS2 power supply box and read the output power. Than go to Auto Zone or any automotive supply store (I think Wal Mart has them) and buy a power inverter that supports that amount. You should have the option to get one thats hardwired to the battery or one that converts the lighter to AC outlet.

smilezdc · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 1122 Location: bayside NEW YORK

and those are reliable? like if i were to play hter system for like.. 2 hours it wouldnt short out or anything?

rcf22 · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 271

If you buy a $5 one rated for less power than the PS2 uses, yes, it could damage your components.

If you check your power ratings and buy a reliable brand, then you will be fine.

ekgaudio · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Milford, MI

Shouldn't cost much more than $50 for a decent one

SquallLHeart · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 12953 Location: NorCal LED-Head

doesn't the ps2 (at least the slim) have an accessory that allows direct power into the cig. plug?

vs. using an inverter... *shrug*

i mean.. really.. the power supply for the ps2 into a household outlet (which is a 115-120 VAC source)...

hmm.. *thinking*... an inverter converts your car's 12-14 VDC into 115-120 VAC, which then the power supply converts it right back to DC voltage.. :ponder:

smilezdc · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 1122 Location: bayside NEW YORK

SquallLHeart wrote: doesn't the ps2 (at least the slim) have an accessory that allows direct power into the cig. plug?

vs. using an inverter... *shrug*

i mean.. really.. the power supply for the ps2 into a household outlet (which is a 115-120 VAC source)...

hmm.. *thinking*... an inverter converts your car's 12-14 VDC into 115-120 VAC, which then the power supply converts it right back to DC voltage.. :ponder:

i have no clue what any of this means.. hahaha and i dont ahve a ps2 slim.. i have the ancient one.. please help! :relief:

rcf22 · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 271

Therea re two kinds of electrical current: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).

The PS2 requires DC to operate. However, all homes outlets supply 120V AC power. So, the PS2 has a built in power rectifier that changes the AC to DC so the PS2 can operate just by plugging in the wall.

Your car's battery, power outlets, and everything else put out 12V DC power. So what Squall is saying, is that you're making extra power conversions by using a power inverter that aren't necessary. Allow me to use a diagram:

(Car) ----> (Power Inverter) ----> (PS2 Rectifier) -----> (PS2)
12Vdc ---> 120Vac --------------> ??Vdc ---------------> PS2

So why convert to AC at all when all you need is DC anyways? You can use this two eliminate those extra steps:

http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Compact-Road-Power-Adapter-2/dp/B0007PHO8Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1219152698&sr=1-6

Now all the circuit is:

(Car) ---> (Transformer) ---> PS2

Hope this makes some sense to you.

vettereddie · Posted: 8/19/08 7:23AM Post subject:

Original PS2 uses about 79 Watts so a cigarette adapter AC invertor would work fine. I use them with my laptop for time to time without an issue. If you go above 85 watts, plan on wiring it in for heavy use. For DC volts, look on the bottom of the power adapter brick. It should say something like Output: ?? VDC, that's the DC volts you'll need.

ekgaudio · Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 33 Location: Milford, MI

rcf22 is correct. However, you mentioned you have the old ps2, which I don't believe they made a car adapter for. I may be wrong but I don't think that link was for an original. I would just go to wal mart or auto zone and get a cheap car adapter that uses the lighter port. I actually believe even the cheapest one will work for the low powered ps2. But if you want it to be hidden, you have to stick with a hardwired inverter and fork out a little extra $$$.

rcf22 · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 271

That link is clearly for a PS2, and it doesn't say anything about a PS2 slim, so I would assume it's for a regular PS2, but yeah, as long as you get an inverter rated for 100W or so, you'd be fine...