12 Volt Mini Xbox

Lets take this on the road! 

Your car is already making all the 12V you need... why add a bulky inverter to up convert 12V DC to 110V AC and then have your Xbox down convert high voltage AC back to low voltage DC (12V, 5V and 3.3V).  Lets save a bunch of heat, power loss, and space and just go DC to DC. 

Also inverters cause noise that can interfere with the picture especially when an engine alternator revs up scrolling lines/dots etc.

We have been running a test model in a Tahoe daily driver for a few months now and have had no problems.  There is also one we made installed in an RX8.  That one also has been running for a couple months (as of 7/10/05).  Here are some shots of the console in the Tahoe, it fits easily under the rear seat.  A 7" screen is mounted in an aftermarket center console cup holder thingy. 

As an Xbox Media Center machine it is possible to configure a console so that when it is turned on it boots and automatically plays a random play list.  With our hardware setup the power supply turns on the console automatically 3 seconds after the accessory is enabled (enough time to crank the engine) but it is sort of a belt and suspenders situation since the power supply also can handle 7-24 volt input!.  It also powers down the Xbox via the power button 5 seconds after the ignition is shut off (this gives you ample time to set accessory mode with the key if you wish to keep the console running with the engine off) If you leave it on in accessory mode and somehow loose track of time and find the battery is draining fear not, it will shut itself off when the battery drops to 10.4 volts this will leave you with enough juice to start the vehicle.

We have the power supply available for $149.00 this is plug in ready for a 1.2-1.5 motherboard and includes a pre modified power switch PCB so you can just swap them out and plug them in.

...More to come we have now moved on the phase two "The Mini Xbox".  With a reliable platform in place we now will move on to making it smaller.  How?  Ditch the DVD drive of course.  This gives us an opportunity to make a half height Xbox that will fit into those tiny spaces like under the driver seat of a Subaru WRX STI.

Here are some shots of the mini xbox we did a 70mm fan exhausting air out the top