On Fri, 14 May 2004 02:39:51 GMT, "Vic Fraenckel"
wrote:

Paul,

I am wrestling with the same problem and while not having come to a
conclusion, I have a couple of thoughts.


I have been looking at the Mini ITX and Shuttle Small form factor computers,
but they are of proprietory designs somewhat negating their small size in
the repair catagory.
I got a Book PC (www.buy-a-bookpc.com), an older, Celeron model like
the 6255. It will take two standard PCI cards. It seems to throw out
more heat than I expected but is running reliably. It fits nicely in a
slot on the boat.

A regular tower is way too big. I also have a laptop on board for
backup and taking to shore for internet connections

Power is a problem, of course, on the larger machines but you have to
contend with battery charging on the laptops. Of course you can run a laptop
of your 12 volt buss. It is possible to get PC form facter power supplies
for "desk top" machines that run off of your 12v DC buss which helps
somewhat by eliminating the inverter.

That would be nice. The monitor/TV is also 12v and doing away with the
inverter is a good idea. Do you have details on this?


I know I didn't solve your dilemma but I hope I have helped a little. I will
be interested to see what the community thinks

Vic

| Power is a problem, of course, on the larger machines but you have to
| contend with battery charging on the laptops. Of course you can run a
laptop
| of your 12 volt buss. It is possible to get PC form facter power supplies
| for "desk top" machines that run off of your 12v DC buss which helps
| somewhat by eliminating the inverter.
|
| That would be nice. The monitor/TV is also 12v and doing away with the
| inverter is a good idea. Do you have details on this?
|

for starters check out:

http://www.opussolutions.com/

try searching google for "computer dc/dc power". the quotes help to narrow
the search.

HTH

Vic
--
__________________________________________________ ______

Victor Fraenckel - The Windman
victorf ATSIGN windreader DOTcom
KC2GUI

Home of the WindReader Electronic Theodolite
Read the WIND

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long
and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."
- Winston [Leonard Spencer] Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Dost thou not know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed?
-Count Oxenstierna (ca 1620) to the young King Gustavus Adolphus

"Dick Locke" wrote in message
...
| On Fri, 14 May 2004 02:39:51 GMT, "Vic Fraenckel"
| wrote:
|
| Paul,
|
| I am wrestling with the same problem and while not having come to a
| conclusion, I have a couple of thoughts.
|
|
| I have been looking at the Mini ITX and Shuttle Small form factor
computers,
| but they are of proprietory designs somewhat negating their small size
in
| the repair catagory.
| I got a Book PC (www.buy-a-bookpc.com), an older, Celeron model like
| the 6255. It will take two standard PCI cards. It seems to throw out
| more heat than I expected but is running reliably. It fits nicely in a
| slot on the boat.
|
| A regular tower is way too big. I also have a laptop on board for
| backup and taking to shore for internet connections
|
| Power is a problem, of course, on the larger machines but you have to
| contend with battery charging on the laptops. Of course you can run a
laptop
| of your 12 volt buss. It is possible to get PC form facter power supplies
| for "desk top" machines that run off of your 12v DC buss which helps
| somewhat by eliminating the inverter.
|
| That would be nice. The monitor/TV is also 12v and doing away with the
| inverter is a good idea. Do you have details on this?
|
|
| I know I didn't solve your dilemma but I hope I have helped a little. I
will
| be interested to see what the community thinks
|
| Vic
|