mini-box M4-HV ATX Installation Manual
The mini-box M4-HV ATX is a 6-34V Intelligent ATX Power Supply designed for use in vehicles. It features an ignition-sensing function that automatically turns on the computer when the car is started and shuts it down when the car is turned off. It also has a built-in anti-thump control to prevent loud pops from the car amplifier when the computer is started. With a maximum output power of 220 Watts, it can support a wide range of motherboards and computer components.
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M4-HV ATX
6-34V Intelligent ATX Power Supply
Installation Guide
Version 1.0e
P/N M4-HV ATX-01
Before you start...
Please take a moment and read this manual before you install the M4-HV ATX in your vehicle.
Often times, rushing into installing the unit can result in serious damage to your M4-HV ATX board, computer and probably your car's electrical system. Always double check the polarity of your wires with a voltmeter.
Avoid using the cigarette plug as a power source, often times the contacts are not capable of delivering high current to your PC.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the M4-HV ATX power sequencer / vehicle ATX power supply. The
M4-HV ATX was designed to work with a wide variety of main boards ranging from low power to fully fledged Intel, AMD or VIA models (such as the VIA mini-ITX motherboards as well as
Pentium-M / Celeron / Core2Duo or full power Pentium systems).
M4-HV ATX Logic Diagram
1
M4-HV ATX Power Input Connectors (bottom, right side)
Left
Center
Battery negative (GND)
Ignition (To start connect to Battery +)
Do not use in the standard PSU mode (mode P0)
Battery positive (+) Right
(A) ATX Power Output Connector 20/24 pin connector
(B) 12V-ATX power output connector 4 pin
(C) Configuration dip switch
(J5) For internal use only (do not use)
(J6) Amplifier THUMP wire harness (connects to the M4-HV ATX pin header)
(J3) Fan Header
(J8) USB, Motherboard ON/OFF and THUMP (Thump also available on J6)
1) +5V
2) USB D-
3) USB D+
4) GND
5) GND
6) To Motherboard ON/OFF
7) To motherboard ON/OFF
8) Amplifier Thump
9) GND
N/C (key)
<- J8 shown with cable harness connected to the motherboard ON OFF header (pin 7 and 6)
NOTE : To reset to the M4-HV ATX settings to the factory defaults (in case changes were made via the USB uplink), simply power off the unit, connect a jumper to JP1 as shown and then power back up. The LED light will start to flash rapidly indicating that the factory defaults were loaded. Don't forget to remove jumper when done ! Disconnect M4-HV ATX from battery for at least 10 seconds. Next time when power is applied, M4-HV ATX will operate from the factory defaults settings.
2
(JP8) DIP Switch Settings
DIP Switch (ON=down)
1 2 3 P
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
P4
P5
P6
P7
P0
P1
P2
P3
Off-delay
(All rails ON)
Standard PSU mode
5 sec + 1min AutoLatch *
1 min + 1min AutoLatch *
1 min + 1min AutoLatch *
1 5min
1 min
30 min
2 hour
Hard-off
(5VSB)
1 min
NEVER
1 min
1 min
NEVER
1 min
NEVER
IMPORTANT: Always use the "Hibernate" feature on your PC, never use "Standby" as it can severely discharge your battery over extended periods of time.
NEVER use “hard-off = NEVER” settings unless you fully understand the risks of battery depletion. Even with safety limits in place, your car battery might be not be able to start your engine. “Hard-off=NEVER keeps your 5VSB rail ON at all times”.
*AutoLatch is active during the fist 60s of PC operation (and only during the first 60 seconds). For example, If Ignition is turned ON and then OFF right away, M4-ATXHV will latch
Ignition in ON position for the next 60 seconds, allowing your operating system to fully come up. This will prevent disk drive corruption or systems that remain hung in the ON position.
After the first 60 seconds of system operation, the Auto Latch feature will be removed and system will shut down at as governed by the “Off-delay” setting.
P0: In this mode, the M4-HV ATX behaves like a regular ATX power supply. If J6 is connected to the motherboard, M4-ATX-HV will also send a gratuitous “ON pulse” to the motherboard right after power is first applied.
P1: (recommended): Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 5 seconds after ignition is turned off. Waits another
1 minute and then shuts down 5VSB to conserve battery. In this mode, the M4-HV ATX consumes less than 0.5 mA. This is our recommended setting.
P2: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 5 seconds after ignition is turned off. Waits another 1 hour and then shuts down 5VSB to conserve battery. In this mode, the M4-HV ATX consumes less than 0.5
mA.
P3: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 5 seconds after ignition is turned off. NEVER shuts down 5VSB ( !!! risk of battery depletion !!!) .
P4: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 30 seconds after ignition is turned off. Waits another 1 hour and then shuts down 5VSB to conserve battery. In this mode, the M4-HV ATX consumes less than 0.5
mA.
P5: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 30 seconds after ignition is turned off. NEVER shuts down 5VSB ( !!! risk of battery depletion !!!) .
3
P6: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 30 minutes after ignition is turned off. NEVER shuts down 5VSB ( !!! risk of battery depletion !!!) .
P7: Sends ON pulse to motherboard when ignition is ON for more than 2 seconds, sends OFF pulse to motherboard 3 hours after ignition is turned off. NEVER shuts down 5VSB ( !!! risk of battery depletion !!!) .
Power challenges in a Vehicle PC:
One of most difficult tasks of operating a PC in a vehicle is power consumption while the computer is OFF. Even when your computer is OFF or in Suspend, it will still consume about
50-150mA on the 5VSB rail.
No matter how big your battery is, you will eventually drain it if proper actions are not taken.
The M4-HV ATX is addressing these issues by cutting off the 5VSB rail after a pre-defined amount of time (see jumper chart, HARDOFF). During the HARDOFF if the battery level drops below 11.2V for more than one minute, M4-HV ATX will shut down and re-activate only when the input voltage is > 12V.
Engine Cranks, under-voltage and over-voltage situations .
Another difficult task is maintaining stable power to your PC. While car batteries are rated at
12V, they actually provide voltages in between 8-16V (engine cranks) or as high as 80 volts
(load dump).
Most of the times, your battery will stay at 13.5V (while car is running) but extra precautions need to take place in order to prevent such situations. M4-HV ATX can operate as low as 6V and as high as 34V while providing strict regulation on all rails along with input voltage clamping and reverse protection.
Loud amplifier pops when PC starts (Anti-Thumb).
If your PC is connected to your car amplifier, you will hear a loud pop when the computer is first started. The M4-HV ATX has an `anti-thump' control that will keep your amp OFF while the PC starts. Simply connect the 2 pin wire to J6 harness to your amplifier remote control pins. The pin at the edge of the PCB is GND, inner pin is HOT.
Mode of operation
1. Ignition=OFF. Nothing happens. M4-HV ATX is waiting for ignition signals.
2. Ignition=ON. M4-HV ATX waits for 2-3 seconds then turns on the 5Vsb rail. After another second M4-HV ATX sends an "ON" signal to the motherboard via the 2 wires connected to the motherboard's ON/OFF pins. The motherboard will turn ON and your system should start booting. The Ignition state will be latched for 60 more seconds so that the motherboard will have a change to come up in a clean manner.
3. Ignition=ON. Your computer will remain ON.
4. Ignition=OFF. M4-HV ATX waits for "OFFDELAY" in seconds (see jumper chart) and then it turns the motherboard OFF by sending a signal to the motherboard's ON/OFF switch.
Your computer should turn off gracefully (shutdown procedure). After shutdown, 5VSB will still be provided for another "HARDOFF" seconds. In the event where the shutdown process is longer than "HARDOFF" (Operating System gets frozen, etc), power will be shut down hard, turning off all power rails. During the HARDOFF procedure, the battery levels will be constantly monitored to prevent deep discharge situations.
5. M4-HV ATX will go to step 1, if ignition is tuned ON again.
4
NOTE . When all config. jumpers are removed, M4-HV ATX acts as a regular power supply, no ignition timing, no HARDOFF. M4-ATX-HV will also send a gratuitous “ON” pulse (to the
ON/OFF motherboard pins, should you have a wire harness connected to it) when power is applied for the first time. Do not connect the on/off switch if you don’t want your PC to be started automatically.
Troubleshooting a) Motherboard is not turning ON: Check input cables.Make sure you have a a well tighten wire harness. Measure the un-switched pin (red). You should see 12V (car on) or 0V (car off). NOTE: In P1, P2, P3 modes if V(In) is < 12V, the M4-HV ATX will not start.
b) Motherboard is not turning ON (cont) : Ensure total system power consumption does not exceed the M4-HV ATX specifications.
c) Motherboard is not turning ON (cont). Make sure that the ON/OFF wire harness from the M4-HV ATX is connected to the ON/OFF switch of your M/B.
5
M4-HV ATX Characteristics
Minimum Input Operating. voltage
Maximum input Operating voltage
Deep-Discharge shutdown threshold
Input current limit (fuse protected)
Max Output Power
Deep Sleep Current Consumption.
Storage and operating temperature
MTBF
Efficiency (Input 9-16V)
Input connectors
Output Connector
6V
34V (clamping will occur at 36-38V)
11.2V
Mini-Blade 25 A
220 Watts (275 Watts PEAK)
< 1.6 mA
-40 to +125° Celsius (storage), -40 – 65°C (operating)
200,000 hrs
>94%, all rails combined, 50% load
M4 screw terminal
ATX Power 24 pin (Molex P/N 39-01-2200)
*Units shuts down when internal temperature sensor indicates >85°C. This value can be changed with software.
Operating at temperatures above 85°C will reduce the MTBF.
Maximum Power Characteristics
Output Rail
5V
3.3V
5VSB
-12V
12V
Current (Max)
12A
12A
1.5A
0.15A
10A (see below)
Current Peak
(< 30 seconds)
15A
15A
2A
0.2A
12A (see below)
Regulation
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
10%
2%
When operating at <8V or >16V or extreme temperatures, de-rate by 25-50%, ventilation will be required. When operating at constant 160watts or more forced ventilation is required.
12V Rail Output Current (buck/boost converter)
Input (V)
6-8V
8-11V
12V out current
8A
10A (12A peak)
Input (V)
11-16V
16-34V
12V out current
10A (12A peak)
8A (10A peak)
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