Hi All, I have given some thought to this idea of a digital piecart using a laptop for the last 6 months or so.(Mainly because I forget to start and stop watces etc).
A 12v-laptop adaptor is available from Jaycar etc for about $80, they come with multiple plugs for different laptop brands. On the topic of viewability, a hood around the screen seems the best idea-a gutted microfische Reader would be ideal, just remove the "Hood" and adapt it to the laptop. Our piecar at waikerie already has 12v battery charged by Solar power, currently only used to power base radio, so it would be relatively easy to do. Older laptops tend to have reduced brightness of the screens, depending on use. I see quite a few as I recondition and sell them occasionally. One of the cheaper new laptops would be OK,however I have been seeing cheaper models fail relatively early, in only 2 years in a couple of cases. I suspect keeping them cool enough could be a part of the problem, perhaps requiring a fan to assist. Incidentally a P4 laptop would not be very good as they consume a lot of power, and get quite hot. A P3M or Centrino based unit would probably be best I reckon. A desktop may be a better option, however more power would be needed than for a laptop(and at 240V), and as was said dektops are better in terms of wirless aerial extensions, this in fact could be a deciding factor. It's a great concept though. David Lawley Computer Manager Elizabeth Park PS Elizabeth East PS Pennington PS -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matthew Gage Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2006 4:56 PM To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] daylight display screens Alternatively, run an inverter from a large (80-100Ah) car battery, and have this on permeant solar panel charge. This can then feed the standard power supply. You could also use a 24v supply and used a cheap regulator to bypass the standard laptop supply - most need 16-18 volts. As long as you don't operate 7 days per week, this should do fine and is how the club I flew from in the UK worked. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott Penrose Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2006 16:54 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] daylight display screens On 01/02/2006, at 16:44, Robert Hart wrote: > Brett Kettle wrote: >> >> This list recently reported the successes of John Wharington, Todd ?, >> etc establishing an OZFLARM-based clubhouse display for finishing >> gliders at Benalla. I'm looking to create something similar for the >> DDSC 'pie-cart' (we now have 100% of the club fleet and all bar a >> couple of stragglers in the private fleet OZFLARM-equipped). Cathy >> Conway's give me some useful antenna advice and I'm trying to find a >> good display option. >> >> Does anyone have any recommendations on a computer screen that will >> still be clearly visible with bright sky behind the observer? >> LCD? TFT? CRT? or another TLA? >> > My (limited - using a laptop mostly but also a PC/CRT on a few > occasions) experience is that flat screens are considerably to be > preferred in such conditions. With a flat screen one can usually find > an angle which minimises reflections whereas this is very hard to > achieve with a curved screen. With the addition of a shade, things > improve considerably. Yes I agree - and the price is getting better. Although a laptop has been suggested for power issues, you still can only run laptops for no more than about 2 hours - which means you still need a power source. > An old(er) laptop would meet the needs - but newer ones have a > brighter screen and a wider viewing angle. With a laptop, you also > open up the possibility of linking into the wireless LAN which means > the duty crew would have access to the latest radar pictures, useful > when storms are around! With 12v solar power in the pie cart, we > should be able to keep things powered up for a day if we increase the > collector area. Laptop and Desktop both have the ability to use wireless - infact it is cheaper on a desktop and better support for external aerials :-) Scott _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
