Hello all,

I just got EFI Live and love it. I plan on having my laptop and Tune tool in my truck allot and am aware of the inherent issues with running off of an inverter and being hooked to the truck.

I am not electronically savvy so forgive me if I sound dumb. Being that USB is both data and power and the vehicle powers the flash scan when in operation is it possible to remove the power wire from the usb cable? Would data transfer still occur? Would it fix the problem of sometimes frying the unit?

Thank you for your time whatever the response.

Josh

I never thought of removing the output power of the USB port going TO the flashschan input... I think it may be quite a bit of work :)

You know, depending on the model of your computer they make alot of 12volt inverter for COMPUTER use that I've had GREAT luck with (NEVER a problem).
I have a HP made one and I also have something called and "I-GO" - it's a power inverter with a TON of interchangable tips made for computer and other accessories.

From what I understand any inverter poses a risk. I would like to negate that risk seeing that efi is a decent chunk of change.

Of course the final decision is ALL yours but I've had EFI for years and do ALOT of logging, and I mean ALOT. For no real reason other than i have the tools to do it :)

My laptops has seen PLENTY of trouble free miles.

I might just have a buddy who works in a EMS (Electronic Maintainance Service) shop hack up a cable and see if it works. Part of me is curiouse and part of me is cautiouse so Im not saying I wont run a inverter as is if I have to.

Hello all,

I just got EFI Live and love it. I plan on having my laptop and Tune tool in my truck allot and am aware of the inherent issues with running off of an inverter and being hooked to the truck.

I am not electronically savvy so forgive me if I sound dumb. Being that USB is both data and power and the vehicle powers the flash scan when in operation is it possible to remove the power wire from the usb cable? Would data transfer still occur? Would it fix the problem of sometimes frying the unit?

Thank you for your time whatever the response.

Josh

What the?

Forget that nonsense, just go to Radio Shack or eBay and pick up one of the i-Go devices and a tip that matches your laptop. Since the I-Go does not convert AC to DC it is not considered an inverter. Mine has worked flawlessly for over 2 years.

Ok I may be confused. I thaught it was a problem either way.

I have a dell laptop and use a dell inverter. Just check the voltage difference like the instructions in the EFI live box say to check it. I have been running it for a few weeks now and don't have a problem. I don't use the inverter in anybody else's truck though.

What instructions are you reffering to? I dont seem to remember anything in there mentioning it except a big warning not to use one.

Mine had a orange paper tell you how to check the voltage between pins 4 and 5 on the obd2 port and the cig. ground. Should not be more than 50 mili volts. Pins 4 and 5 are on top. So check voltage between 4 and ground and the 5 and ground. Mine is at 41 mili.

Some laptops you can get a 12 volt charger for it. might search for that. Got one for my HP when ever I get around to the ultimate touchscreen system.

Brian