Where is the best place to find power and constant 12v for the cb radio?
TIA
TIA
Power for cb radio?
- Thread starter cool breeze
- Start date
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I stole switched and constant power from my radio as they are never both on at the same time.
I am currently piggy backing on to one of my fuses from the dash but it sometimes causes interference with my Satellite radio even with the CB off. So eventually I am going to run it straight to the battery.
In dash or remote CB? If remote and you have non electric seats, the remote can be mounted under the driver's seat with constant 12v from the unused harnesss under the carpet.
Steve
94'
190,000
Steve
94'
190,000
- Thread starter
- #7
Well for the constant i used my distributution block for the stereo, 4ga inta two 10ga. But im a little unclear on where to make a dedicated switched 12v other than the cig lighter?
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I recently just installed a accessory fuse block under the passenger seat just for such things. Mine is set up for constant power hot. But you could do something switched if you wanted. Power comes directly from the battery via 6 AWG with a waterproof circuit breaker inline under the hood.
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Mine is stuck to the side of the console with Velcro, so stole power from the seat wiring, works great.
Another option is to wire your CB with a 12V plug and use the cig lighter for power. This setup works well for me as I don't need the CB in the truck during daily driving duties. I typically have it stored in the map pocket of the drivers door. When I need it, I slip it between the emergency brake and the center console, plug it in and I am ready to go. Just another option.
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Mine also only rides on the trail. I used a R/C car type plug in the new wiring, unplug and tuck the tail under the seat when not needed. Not much of a fan of lighter plugs, also sometimes have other uses for the lighter plug.
the unswitched is for channel memory om digital tune cb radios.
make sure you tune your setup for SWR before you use the radio or you can damage it.
-Phil
make sure you tune your setup for SWR before you use the radio or you can damage it.
-Phil
Is this true? I read on the Firestik website that you can damage your CB if you try to transmit without a properly grounded antenna attached, but they said nothing about damaging it by not having it tuned.
From what I understand, a un-tuned CB will just perform poorly, not be damaged.
not true. an untuned cb is fine to receive but if you transmit without tuning, you can damage the radio. SWR is the power coming back from the antenna while transmitting. if you don't tune and this is too high, you can damage the radio. I have a link on how to do it but im on my phone. ill find it tonight and post back.
SWR will impact your TX signal strength. No antenna will fry your finals in short order.
For clarification - a poorly tuned antenna won't fry your radio immediately, but over time it will likely shorten the life of the radio. Also, you NEED to check SWR to make sure you don't have any grounding faults in your setup.
Here's the article I was talking about:
Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company
Note that you don't need to use the SWR meter if you have an analog meter built into your radio (you can use the built in one), but I'm guessing you are running a digital radio based on the fact that you have a contstant-on for the memory. The LED meters on the digital radios won't do for this. You can pick up an SWR meter at Radio Shack for $29. I believe the short jump cable is included.
-Phil
Here's the article I was talking about:
Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company
Note that you don't need to use the SWR meter if you have an analog meter built into your radio (you can use the built in one), but I'm guessing you are running a digital radio based on the fact that you have a contstant-on for the memory. The LED meters on the digital radios won't do for this. You can pick up an SWR meter at Radio Shack for $29. I believe the short jump cable is included.
-Phil
Since I also have a child and a DVD player, plus a laptop, I put two cigarette lighter outlets in the back of the console that are battery direct. I took a hint from Bro Toolsrus, and used velcro. The cb sits on the back of the console and plugs in right there.
alia176
SILVER Star
This is a good time for you to install a remote fuse block (like the pic above) and plan out your wiring distribution network. If you install a fuse block under the pass seat then the length of the wiring to your accessories will be short. Also, you won't have to fish wires through the firewall too many times if your fuse box is in the cab instead of in the engine bay.
Red Beard
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What fuse block is shown in those pics?
