Because it turns anything between 5 and 35 VDC into 12.0 VDC. (Search on ML7812A to find a datasheet). I'd prefer an output voltage that's between 13 and 14v to more closely mimic the car voltage when the engine is running, but this one is what I found after a quick search and the price is certainly affordable.

This one's better - output is 13.7 vdc which more closely matches the car when it's running and is safely above the 11.79 v where I ran into trouble:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...=497-5376-5-ND

$1.32

Ah, I was under the impression that voltage regulators only worked to reduce a higher input to a constant output. I stand corrected. :)

Yeah, it might help if you added the UPS tracking number on the PayPal transaction details, Pieter. ;)

Cool, I will install mine this weekend and let you know if I have any issues.

I shipped USPS, so there isn't any tracking. If you still don't have it by monday, PM me.

Voltage - Input 16 ~ 28.7 V

The regulator won't increase low voltage situations........

There might be a problem with using the lighter plug for a power supply...seems to me it is off when the car cranks...not sure how that would effect the boot up of the Goodbox??

Pieter? Maybe better to wire the power to the ignition key on constant power instead

Yeah, I would rather not got o the lighter myself, I was thinking room fuse.

It is fine that it doesn't boot until the engine starts. In fact that is probably preferable, since it should boot at the same time the startup text shows.

Wouldn't this be a better option:

http://www.mini-box.com/picoUPS-120-...8&category=981

Uninterruptible 12V power supply

My bad on this one. I'm misreading the data sheet I think - it will give something out at <12v input, but it won't be >12v. I should stick to things one can put a socket wrench on.

If you're using the lighter circuit and not the lighter, good practice dictates that you change out the 15A fuse room fuse, for a smaller one. I'm using a 3A in place of the 15A to power both the goodbox and 3 normal fixed, lighted digital gauges with no problems. If you're keeping the cigar lighter, put in a small inline fuse on the goodbox power. You don't want some sort of fault to put 15A x 12V = 180W in those little wires!

Heh, I guess I sit back un-corrected, then. :)

Oh, okay. You just put 'UPS' on the PayPal details, tis all. No problem.

I got two of those enclosures in today and shaved off the sides of one of them and cut out the appropriate holes / slots for the GB buttons, vac line, and cable connector.

I was able to save a few millimeters on each side. I don't have my 8 with me today (but will tomorrow) and will see about fitting it into the coin box without any further modification.

Here are a couple pictures:

Anyone?...... Lol

35 just to power the GB?... Don't think so.



Sticky Back Velcro Is a wonderful thing...

^ Looks good. I was thinking of doing that.

Cutting down the sides to be flush with the circuit board does NOT give enough clearance to fit in the coin tray.

I may look for another coin tray and experiment from there and just use some sticky tape in the meantime.

Glad I bought another case for the GB.

Got mine today!!!

http://jwit.webinstituteforteachers....hooray%202.gif

Congrats on having Corksport sell your GOODbox!

http://www.corksport.com/product-32571.html

Congrats :)

Unfortunately the description is not very accurate, indicating that there are only 2 "screens", not the 4, nor does it mention the AUX inputs.

I have another data point to add for the slot machine effect:

I started my car last night in about 12 C (54 F) degrees and got the slot machine. Thinking that it might be an amp/charge issue, once I got to my destination I turned off and on the car - to no avail.

After about an hour I started the car ready to drive off again - still slot machine. I immediately turned off and on the car (as it was still warmed up enough) and got rid of the effect.

So it seems that charge isn't necessarily the problem. Also, restarting the car does not always fix it.

Perhaps it persists for X number of cycles?

To the guys who have it installed already:

How frequently are you getting the slot machine effect?
Does the effect continue if you turn off the GOODBox, and go back to the standard H/U display?

I could maybe deal with it happening like once every couple of weeks, but if it did it every day, it'd bug the hell out of me. I suppose it's not so bad if you can turn off the unit (whilst it's in slot-machine mode), and go back to the stock display.

In the weeks I've hade the box installed it's happened twice to me.

Using the off switch for the box doesn't fix it.

If you were to unplug the box and short two specific wires in the plug then it would pressumably go back to normal.

I have an idea for a possible fix. Not sure if it will work, but it is worth a shot. Get a ~5 Ohm resistor that is rated for 1Watt or more, and place it inline in the 12V wire. It will be like this

Car 12V ------------[5Ohm R] -------------- [GOODbox]

Such a resistor costs about 35c on digikey, but they probably sell them at radio shack too.
This should help limit the current pulled on startup, if that is the issue.