Ham radio power wiring question

[kcjaz]

I am installing a permanent ham radio in my 200 and have decided to run its own power supply direct from the battery. The wire harness that came with the radio has in-line fuses so I was just gonna connect the power directly to the positive negative of my crank battery (I only have a single battery). This will allow the radio to be on all the time no matter the ignition status. In my mind that is good and bad. Maybe for me mostly bad as I am worried I’ll just leave the radio on and forget to turn it off.

I think I’m just gonna run this way for LCDC because I have a long list of things I need to get done before then, but ultimately should I run the power through a relay tied to the ignition switch? If so does anybody have any details as electric circuits is not really my strong point.

 

[KLF]

My Yaesu radios all have a low voltage cutoff, they shut themselves off if the battery gets too low. That being said, I've left mine on for days without issue.

 

[manofthewoods]

I am installing a permanent ham radio in my 200 and have decided to run its own power supply direct from the battery. The wire harness that came with the radio has in-line fuses so I was just gonna connect the power directly to the positive negative of my crank battery (I only have a single battery). This will allow the radio to be on all the time no matter the ignition status. In my mind that is good and bad. Maybe for me mostly bad as I am worried I’ll just leave the radio on and forget to turn it off.

I think I’m just gonna run this way for LCDC because I have a long list of things I need to get done before then, but ultimately should I run the power through a relay tied to the ignition switch? If so does anybody have any details as electric circuits is not really my strong point.

As in post #2, RX draws very little, most rigs let you program an inactive off timer; mine is set for 20 minutes.
73s, K0KH

 

[100kiwi]

Yaesu also has a timer function, I have mine set to 4 hours of inactivity and it shuts itself off

 

[kcjaz]

Thanks all. Good info. I powered it up last night. Just have to install a ram mount for the controller and its good to go.

 

[Markuson]

I am installing a permanent ham radio in my 200 and have decided to run its own power supply direct from the battery. The wire harness that came with the radio has in-line fuses so I was just gonna connect the power directly to the positive negative of my crank battery (I only have a single battery). This will allow the radio to be on all the time no matter the ignition status. In my mind that is good and bad. Maybe for me mostly bad as I am worried I’ll just leave the radio on and forget to turn it off.

I think I’m just gonna run this way for LCDC because I have a long list of things I need to get done before then, but ultimately should I run the power through a relay tied to the ignition switch? If so does anybody have any details as electric circuits is not really my strong point.

Always-hot power is the best IMHO. Unless you’re transmitting at highest power setting constantly…it consumes only a small bit of power. I would not want mine to require ignition…since trail group messages often are needed during breaks on the trail, etc.

For example…at a lunch break…where the trail leader announces we’re heading out. Sometimes people are scattered around and its helpful.

 

[daneo]

How many watts is your radio? Anything less than ~150w should be pretty easy to find a spare fuse with ACC or Ignition power. Down by the driver's ankle, there is a fuse box. There should be empty slots that you can tap into power using an Add a Circuit. No need to setup a relay, then. Hope this helps.

 

[kcjaz]

How many watts is your radio? Anything less than ~150w should be pretty easy to find a spare fuse with ACC or Ignition power. Down by the driver's ankle, there is a fuse box. There should be empty slots that you can tap into power using an Add a Circuit. No need to setup a relay, then. Hope this helps.

Yes I could have tapped off of an existing ACC source but I decided to run direct to the battery wanting to avoid any chance of circuit noise.