Is it possible to run a PC from a 12v power source? I'm building an RV.

[coreyzev]

So I just had the revelation that my entire PC runs on 12v power. Now this is something I already knew but I hadn't thought about it in this manner before. I've been planning an RV build for the past several weeks, and the entire time I was thinking about running my PC off of an inverter. So I'd be inverting from DC to AC and then back to DC. Seems like a horribly inefficient use of power. Which is the most precious resource in my plans. 

 

So I was curious what people knew about running PCs straight from 12 power. Especially gaming rigs. My current rig has a 600w power supply in it but I dont think I use that much. Maybe 450w max needed (non surge). 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/coreyzev/saved/2b7vnQ

 

Thanks!

[FAQBytes]

So in general most sff dc-dc psus use laptop chargers as their AC-DC converter, thus use 16-20v input. However, the Pico-PSU has a 12v input.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9siaef86jm6460
Just as a note, it does not have any external power, so you're going to use something like the 1050 ti.

Just remember you also don't want to overstress the RV electrical system as well.

[OrionFOTL]

Your PC doesn't run on +12V alone. It uses +5V to power the HDD and some fans, and +3.3V to power RAM and various chips on the motherboard.

It also uses +5VSB as standby power.

 

People with very small, low-power PCs use PicoPSUs to power them. A PicoPSU takes +12V power from a power brick (similar to the ones that come with laptops) and convert it to the needed +5V and +3.3V voltages (and obviously pass the +12V further).

They are very limited in cables and output though, only go up to 120W or so.

[KarathKasun]

There is a ~400w pico PSU.

[Guest]

54 minutes ago, coreyzev said:

So I just had the revelation that my entire PC runs on 12v power.

Really?

 

Do you have a newer HP or Dell then?  Because, as pointed out by others, 99% of PC's PSUs out there have multiple DC outputs.

 

[Guest]

https://www.powerstream.com/DC-PC-12V.htm

 

[Stefan Payne]

1 hour ago, FAQBytes said:

However, the Pico-PSU has a 12v input.

That's a stupid idea because in a car the nominal voltage when the generator is running is aroudn 14V, not 12.

And its very noisy as well. so you need something that cleans the shit up that is thrown around in the car.

 

That is why you woulrn't recommend a "Pico PSU" for RV duty!!

22 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

https://www.powerstream.com/DC-PC-12V.htm

Those seem like a viable option, though pricey...

And a bit heavy on the +5V rail...

At least they seem to clean up the shit from the primary side...

[KarathKasun]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-500W-High-Power-24PIN-DC-ATX-Power-Supply-PSU-with-Dual-12V-Output-Channels-/112094353164

 

Just need a pair of 12v -> 19v boost converters to go with it, which should give you great ripple suppression.

[KarathKasun]

On 9/24/2018 at 11:25 AM, Stefan Payne said:

That's a stupid idea because in a car the nominal voltage when the generator is running is aroudn 14V, not 12.

And its very noisy as well. so you need something that cleans the shit up that is thrown around in the car.

 

That is why you woulrn't recommend a "Pico PSU" for RV duty!!

Those seem like a viable option, though pricey...

And a bit heavy on the +5V rail...

At least they seem to clean up the shit from the primary side...

Apologies for necro quote, but Ive run across a bit of this during the research stage of setting up an automotive application PC.

 

Pico PSUs have been in use for CarPCs for YEARS, and are generally specced to handle ~14v input.  If you really feel that noise is a problem you can always just add a few huge bulk caps on the input side.