Fiiting an xbox to my X5???

j2d · Post by **j2d** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:08 pm

Hi all,

After successfully fitting my new DVD headrest screens to the X5 i'm thinking about fitting an Xbox now, so the kits (and me) can play it on the new screens.

I have fitted an AV lead to the TV module in the boot an both sets of cable go back to it, I can watch different DVDs on each screen or play 1 DVD over all 3 screens with the sound coming from the stereo speakers.

Was going to get an AV swithcher so I can switch between the different inputs, as I wanted to get a digital TV tuner too.

Has anyone fitted an Xbox to their X???

How can I power the Xbox? Does it run off 12volts or do I need an inverter to get 240volts?

John

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:42 pm

Can't help with actual fitting, but the PSU output voltage is 12V DC and varies between 12.5A and 16.5A depending upon model. You'll need a power supply feed cable rated to at least 25A to keep the temps down, and fuse it at 15A or 20A depending on whixh XBox model you are using. Alternatively get a new DC cable, or one off another PSU and use that to connect to power (via a fuse) directly off the battery.

This support link to Microsoft may help with PSU identification....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907635

j2d · Post by **j2d** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:06 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]Can't help with actual fitting, but the PSU output voltage is 12V DC and varies between 12.5A and 16.5A depending upon model. You'll need a power supply feed cable rated to at least 25A to keep the temps down, and fuse it at 15A or 20A depending on whixh XBox model you are using. Alternatively get a new DC cable, or one off another PSU and use that to connect to power (via a fuse) directly off the battery.

This support link to Microsoft may help with PSU identification....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907635[/quote]

Thanks for the advice, just looked at my psu and it is 150 watts.

Still a little confused, so are you saying I will NOT need the PSU and just wire it in direct with an uprated cable and fuse?

Where can I get hold of this - "power supply feed cable rated to at least 25A"

John

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:12 pm

You won't need the PSU itself as all that does is convert mains voltage down to 12V DC. You need to check the DC Output rating, but 150W is a 12.5A PSU. To get the rating in Amps, divide the output in Watts by the output Voltage. (150/12=12.5)

Any car accessory or radio shop, or Maplin etc should have power cable that will do the job. I'll see if I can dig out the formula for working it out and come back, but something like 6.0mm core, twin cable (1 Black, 1 Red) would do it.

EDIT: 2mm core wire will be fine at 15A, and 3.6mm core at 25A. No need to go to 6mm. If you only have a 12.5A XBox thn go for a 15A fuse and perhaps use the heavier cable and just fuse it at 15A instead of 20A.

j2d · Post by **j2d** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:48 pm

What size would the original lead be going from the PSU to the xbox then?

The thing I don't get is the plug going into the xbox has 6 pins, surely the cable will only have 2 cores - live and ground?

John

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:24 pm

[quote=""j2d""]What size would the original lead be going from the PSU to the xbox then?

The thing I don't get is the plug going into the xbox has 6 pins, surely the cable will only have 2 cores - live and ground?

John[/quote]

Never that simple with energy efficient switch mode power supplies. There may be a quiescent 5v supply for remote switching (the psu only 'powers up' when the box is switched on via remote/front switch/controller etc) also monitoring etc.

As X5Sport says, you will prob only need the main supply, which I'm sure is only 2.5mm csa.

Sent from my iPod device using Tapatalk

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 9:18 am

With the 12V (XBox360 end) connector facing you so you can see the pins, and the chamfered corners at the top, the bottom 3 pins are 12V Ground, the top row of three pins are +12V and the top left pin in the chamfered area is the +5V switching which you can ignore as it only turns the PSU on and off when the Xbox powers up. No other pins are used.

j2d · Post by **j2d** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:14 pm

Brilliant, thanks for all your help mate.

So if I get myself a 2nd xbox, cut the lead from the PSU to the xbox, connect the 3 cores (that connect to the 3 bottom pins) to ground and connect the 2 cores (that connect the middle and right top pins) to ignition live, it should all hopefully work?

John

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:42 pm

[quote=""j2d""]Brilliant, thanks for all your help mate.

So if I get myself a 2nd xbox, cut the lead from the PSU to the xbox, connect the 3 cores (that connect to the 3 bottom pins) to ground and connect the 2 cores (that connect the middle and right top pins) to ignition live, it should all hopefully work?

John[/quote]

Not quite. You will probably find that the cable from the 'brick' to the XBox is a three core. One core is 0V (Ground) and connects to all three pins in the bottom row, same for the +12V line across the three pins higher up. The +5V you ignore. But yes if you can find a switched +12V with the right power rating then use that, not a wire on the ignition line. The ignition circuit is not designed to have a 15A load added to it. You'll need to a bit of research to find a switched power line that can handle the additional load. Possibly a cigarette lighter feed? I don't know if they are switched or not, but it's worth a check.

I take you meant to buy another PSU and cut it, or did you mean another complete XBox?

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... 81&bih=661

Link above shows the DC supply plug into tbe XBox wiring - ignore the 5V wire as you can't use it. That wire is used to send a switching voltage from the XBox to the PSU telling it that the unit has been turned on.

j2d · Post by **j2d** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:00 pm

Yeah was planning on trying to pick up a cheap 2nd hand xbox and perm fitting it into the X.

Do I need to worry abt the voltage change from the X5 effecting the XBOX? As I have been told it can change from 11V to 14V depending on conditions?

Have you done this in your X5?

John

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:30 pm

Not done anything like this with mine. Our XBox is strapped to the TV

I have only ever had the Amateur Radio VHF/UHF transceivers installed, and they're designed for vehicle use.

I did wonder about the effects of the changing voltages and how well the XBox will tolerate it. You are right. At startup the voltage will fall and then rise again. A full charged battery will give around 12.6V. Starting will drop that dramatically and I would wait until the car is running before powering up. The charging system puts out up to around 14.4V. Only a search of the web, or another user will probably give you the results you're askng about It's all down to the tolerances on the actual XBox and what it will accept. If I was looking for a power source in the vehicle then I would go direct to the battery as it will smooth the changes.

If in doubt then the inverter route is the only other option. A quick search on the web seems to indicate that a number of folks have gone down this route as they have not found a DC to DC converter - which would smooth the voltages. No dates though, which makes it harder to track down the what and when about doing their installs.

I don't know how those with the PS2/3 fair, but they must have the same issues and there are a number of folks here with the PS2/3 installed who may be able to help out. I'm surprised no one else has chipped in.....

Sanj · Post by **Sanj** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:10 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]I don't know how those with the PS2/3 fair, but they must have the same issues and there are a number of folks here with the PS2/3 installed who may be able to help out. I'm surprised no one else has chipped in.....[/quote]

Is this where you want me to chime in....!

Can't advise on the xBox, BUT... here is the link for the stupidly cheap PS2 mod for a media player currently in Jig's car and mine (possibly some others too):

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=353&p=4109&hilit=Media#p4109

jeegnesh · Post by **jeegnesh** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:49 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]Not done anything like this with mine. Our XBox is strapped to the TV

I have only ever had the Amateur Radio VHF/UHF transceivers installed, and they're designed for vehicle use.

I did wonder about the effects of the changing voltages and how well the XBox will tolerate it. You are right. At startup the voltage will fall and then rise again. A full charged battery will give around 12.6V. Starting will drop that dramatically and I would wait until the car is running before powering up. The charging system puts out up to around 14.4V. Only a search of the web, or another user will probably give you the results you're askng about It's all down to the tolerances on the actual XBox and what it will accept. If I was looking for a power source in the vehicle then I would go direct to the battery as it will smooth the changes.

If in doubt then the inverter route is the only other option. A quick search on the web seems to indicate that a number of folks have gone down this route as they have not found a DC to DC converter - which would smooth the voltages. No dates though, which makes it harder to track down the what and when about doing their installs.

I don't know how those with the PS2/3 fair, but they must have the same issues and there are a number of folks here with the PS2/3 installed who may be able to help out. I'm surprised no one else has chipped in.....[/quote]
With PS2 you either buy a specific 12v car converter or we have used the 12v cigarette lighter in the past and cut the plug and wired it in direct. Not sure about the Xbox, PS2 is a sweet option with media centre installed and remote startup.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:03 pm

I knew a hint would work........

jeegnesh · Post by **jeegnesh** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:19 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]I knew a hint would work........

[/quote]

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