12v DC router? For Fusion head unit

[Havana Shamrock]

I'm thinking of replacing the clarion head unit with a Fusion ms-ip700. It looks like a great product with a lot of options. I can control the unit with my iPhone, Ipad. From anywhere on the boat as long as I install an Ethernet router. My question is do they make a 12v DC router? So I wouldn't have to run e genny or only be able to use this option while plugged into shore power?

 

[mvoellinger]

You want a wireless router? The linksys wrt54g was 12v, as most current models probably are. You can just cut the power cord up and put an inline fuse on it and youre good to go.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

So cut the adaptor off it and install either a cigarette plug or hard wire it to the DC wiring? Hmm

 

[Alex F]

Yes, Joe. That's what I did with mine too.

 

[mvoellinger]

So cut the adaptor off it and install either a cigarette plug or hard wire it to the DC wiring? Hmm

Yup! All that bulky transformer is doing is converting 120v ac down to 12v dc. As long as it sees 12v dc on the input end of the plug, it doesn't care where its coming from. Just do a test to verify that you get the positive and negative right (positive will be the pin in the middle, negative will be the metal surround)

 

[Four Suns]

The brick you cut off is also regulating the voltage. Cutting off a 120v brick and hard wiring a 12v item into your boat's 12v system is really not a good way to do that. You need to put a 12v - 12v voltage regulator between the boat's system and what the router will be using. This is the board I have on my boat:

The silver box is a 12v regulator and it's information is here:

http://store.mp3car.com/Carnetix_CNX_P2140_185W_DC_DC_Regulator_p/pwr-026.htm

Your boat system can be anywhere from 7 volts (cranking the engine) to 14 volts when charging... or 13.x volts while sitting there fully charged... it's not always 12v...

 

[chpsk8]

That's pretty good advice. I am thinking about putting a 12v tv in the cabin and should probably look at something like that too...

 

[kaz911]

You can also just find a router with a wider voltage range. I use MicroTik - and they are VERY cheap ($120 for a VERY capable router - $40-$70 for a linksys killer) - and they accept 8-30 volt in general as input voltage.

The MicroTik can be setup quite easy - but advanced configurations is a bit technical. The $60 router is more than enough and they are very flexible. You can get a MikroTik wireless/USB/5 Ethernet port router - so you can plug in a 3G USB modem if you need/want. I use them everywhere now.

http://routerboard.com/

 

[Havana Shamrock]

The brick you cut off is also regulating the voltage. Cutting off a 120v brick and hard wiring a 12v item into your boat's 12v system is really not a good way to do that. You need to put a 12v - 12v voltage regulator between the boat's system and what the router will be using. This is the board I have on my boat:

The silver box is a 12v regulator and it's information is here:

http://store.mp3car.com/Carnetix_CNX_P2140_185W_DC_DC_Regulator_p/pwr-026.htm

Your boat system can be anywhere from 7 volts (cranking the engine) to 14 volts when charging... or 13.x volts while sitting there fully charged... it's not always 12v...

No offense Gary, but do you have anything like" 12vdc routers for dummies? That thing looks like a road side bomb!! I have no idea what to do with that. I need plug and play!!!

 

[mvoellinger]

The brick you cut off is also regulating the voltage. Cutting off a 120v brick and hard wiring a 12v item into your boat's 12v system is really not a good way to do that. You need to put a 12v - 12v voltage regulator between the boat's system and what the router will be using. This is the board I have on my boat:

The silver box is a 12v regulator and it's information is here:

http://store.mp3car.com/Carnetix_CNX_P2140_185W_DC_DC_Regulator_p/pwr-026.htm

Your boat system can be anywhere from 7 volts (cranking the engine) to 14 volts when charging... or 13.x volts while sitting there fully charged... it's not always 12v...

ill defer to your judgement, but do you think a 12v wireless router would be damaged by the fluctuations? I know the average swing is 11 to 14.4ish volts, just didn't think that could cause an issue.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

ill defer to your judgement, but do you think a 12v wireless router would be damaged by the fluctuations? I know the average swing is 11 to 14.4ish volts, just didn't think that could cause an issue.

also, is that big of a deal? I'm only looking to control the Fusion head unit with my iPhone app. If I lose control of it due to insufficient power I could just walk to the helm(chartplotter) or cockpit(installed remote) or salon (head u it) its really just for convenience and "wow" factor. The one reason why I want to switch is I can rent movies on my iPhone from iTunes and play them in the salon with video outputs on the fusion , also unlimited music, and the iPhone,Ipad app pandora.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Ps,,, Todd, your so close to home you could change the stereo volume on the Boat from home!!!!