On 10/28/2009 3:58 PM Janne Ruohom�ki wrote:

> Well, I already have 2 lines of fibre optics going from front to rear
> and wireless network in my van. Planning to install 2x pc
> motherboards, playstation and some more network stuff into this
> vehicle.  A mobile office maybe more than a camper.

I bow before you. Your van is technologically kick-butt. Your usage,
combined with your experience with power grids in former USSR makes your
caution understandable.

With regard to storage devices wearing out sooner rather than later due to
power line spikes -- the drive never sees the power line. That job is
handled by the product's power supply: to condition the input AC or DC as
needed to feed clean power to the bits that it is powering. If it can't
handle the expected spikes and fluctuations found in an automobile's 12VDC
lines without passing them on to it is not much of a power supply. The
article you referenced points out the importance of designing for this
environment. The take-home lesson of the article is "hey, power supply
guys -- do a good job!"

But your main point: that there are devices which may not be well designed
enough to handle your vehicle's power line fluctuations and noise is well
worth considering for those who are powering more than simple appliances.
Ya get out on the skinny branches of tech and yer on your own. Do your
homework.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR