John FYI -- from a recommended book:
Mobile power. It is tempting to use the cigarette lighter plug for 12 Volts
to power the mobile radio and this may work for low power units, but it is
always best to run two heavy gage wires through the firewall and directly to
the battery via fuses in both lines. Don't use the chassis as a ground
return, ground loop problems and noise pickup may occur, run both + and -
lines to the battery. FM mobile transceivers with 50 W of output power can
draw up to 10-12 Amperes of current at 12 Volts. Most cigarette lighter
plugs cannot handle these high currents. Operating a 50 W mobile transceiver
from the cigarette lighter plug may cause permanent damage to vehicle's
electrical system, and can also be a fire hazard. You can probably operate a
6 W handheld transceiver from the cigarette lighter plug, but not a higher
wattage radio.
============================================
"John LeMay" wrote in message
news
I recently purchased a used rig and along with it came a nice cigar
lighter adapter that terminated in two "lugs" with screw on caps for
attaching the power cable of the rig. There is no cord on this adapter
itself. Anyone know where I can find a couple more of these? They seem
ideal for running moderate powered mobile rigs ( 50W ).

thanks!

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 06:19:00 -0700, Keyboard In The Wilderness wrote:

Mobile power. It is tempting to use the cigarette lighter plug for 12 Volts
to power the mobile radio and this may work for low power units, but it is
always best to run two heavy gage wires through the firewall and directly to
the battery via fuses in both lines. Don't use the chassis as a ground

While I agree, I'm looking for a portable solution to use in the 'yl's
vehicle so I can run a decent rig without drilling. I figure 10-20W is
adequate (I think the 1/4 wave antenna I have allocated for this use is
only rated at 20W anyhow). In a small temporary installation like this I
think using the lighter plug is good enough.

Of course while on the topic, What's the best way to connect to today's
side terminal batteries? I'd like to go from the battery's +/- in *my*
vehicle to a small fuse block where I can tie in before coming through the
firewall. Unfortunately I don't do a lot of auto wiring and firewall
drilling!

thanks!

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

Auto stores will have a longer bolt for the side battery terminals or
adaptor kits if needed.
Use the right size heavy duty solder lugs for the connections.

I looked up my lighter circuit and it is 8 amps -- so 8 x 12 = 96 Watts --
at 50% or so efficiency -- should handle a 45 watt radio -- but that is
pushing it to say nothing of stray noise that may be introduced and a
possible voltage drop. Also the cigarette lighter may go thru the ignition
switching.

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the firewall
without drilling.


"John LeMay" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 06:19:00 -0700, Keyboard In The Wilderness wrote:

Mobile power. It is tempting to use the cigarette lighter plug for 12
Volts
to power the mobile radio and this may work for low power units, but it
is
always best to run two heavy gage wires through the firewall and
directly to
the battery via fuses in both lines. Don't use the chassis as a ground

While I agree, I'm looking for a portable solution to use in the 'yl's
vehicle so I can run a decent rig without drilling. I figure 10-20W is
adequate (I think the 1/4 wave antenna I have allocated for this use is
only rated at 20W anyhow). In a small temporary installation like this I
think using the lighter plug is good enough.

Of course while on the topic, What's the best way to connect to today's
side terminal batteries? I'd like to go from the battery's +/- in *my*
vehicle to a small fuse block where I can tie in before coming through the
firewall. Unfortunately I don't do a lot of auto wiring and firewall
drilling!

thanks!

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 14:28:57 -0700, Keyboard In The Wilderness wrote:

I looked up my lighter circuit and it is 8 amps -- so 8 x 12 = 96 Watts --
at 50% or so efficiency -- should handle a 45 watt radio -- but that is
pushing it to say nothing of stray noise that may be introduced and a
possible voltage drop. Also the cigarette lighter may go thru the ignition
switching.


That was my thinking. As a note, I was just talking to a buddy of mine
with an Excursion. His "lighter plug" is actually labeled "accessory plug"
and had a 20A fuse in it from the factory. That tool replaced it with a
30A fuse so he could run his inverter rated at 25A. We won't discuss that
call any further.

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the firewall
without drilling.

That's good to know. I'll have to poke around a bit more and see what I
can find in my 2002 Impala. I did have real good luck this afternoon on my
'97 Silverado 2500. The previous owner had already run 12g through the
firewall, so I had a hole to work with. I rewired it primarily because I
wasn't sure what he had done - it was a bit confusing.

Anyway, on the Silverado there are two "taps" - basically large studs -
along side of the fuse box. Each stud is hot and fused right in the box
with a 30A fuse. I made up a couple of cables and ran these right into the
cab using the existing hole. Found a good ground spot right on the
firewall, so it's nice and short as well! Both cables are about 5' in
length. Of course while these studs look stock (the fuse box cover
actually is molded to fit right over them) they might not be, so if
you happen to have a Silverado and don't see these studs don't blame me!

I'm sure the Impala won't be quite as easy.

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 18:13:44 -0400, John LeMay
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 14:28:57 -0700, Keyboard In The Wilderness wrote:

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the firewall
without drilling.

That's good to know. I'll have to poke around a bit more and see what I
can find in my 2002 Impala. I did have real good luck this afternoon on my
'97 Silverado 2500. The previous owner had already run 12g through the
firewall, so I had a hole to work with. I rewired it primarily because I
wasn't sure what he had done - it was a bit confusing.

Car stereo places and installers are sometimes a good resource for
this sort of thing, as they need the same type of feedthrough.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the
firewall without drilling.


One choice I've resorted to on a number of installations in sedans is
to locate where the major cable bundle on the driver's side firewall goes
through. It is usually embedded in a very large rubber seal. I usually
can take a sharp flat bladed screwdriver and poke a hold in this rubber,
being careful not to hit the cables in the center bundle. Poking a #14
black and red wires through this new slot is not difficult and usually
provides adequate power from the battery to most dash mounted radios and
other equipment.


Ed

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the
firewall without drilling.


One choice I've resorted to on a number of installations in sedans is
to locate where the major cable bundle on the driver's side firewall goes
through. It is usually embedded in a very large rubber seal. I usually
can take a sharp flat bladed screwdriver and poke a hold in this rubber,
being careful not to hit the cables in the center bundle. Poking a #14
black and red wires through this new slot is not difficult and usually
provides adequate power from the battery to most dash mounted radios and
other equipment.


Ed

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:20:22 +0000, Gary S. wrote:

Car stereo places and installers are sometimes a good resource for this
sort of thing, as they need the same type of feedthrough.

Well, just a follow up on this. I gave in and went to the local car stereo
installer and had them do the job. While I was at it, I had them install a
small (3") 12V fan for some extra air flow. I wanted to install the rig in
an enclosed area in the console that was just wide enough for the rig,
about 10" deep and about 8" high. This "pocket" was all plastic -
including the back - however there was nothing behind the pocket under the
dash. The installer cut a small hole for the fan and tied it so that if
the car is on, so is the fan. It's pretty quiet most of the time as well.

Anyhow, the fan moves about 22cf/m of air into this pocket and out the
front right across the heat sink of the radio (the entire bottom of the
rig on the Yaesu 8800). It keeps the rig nice and cool even in pretty
heavy duty cycles at 20W or so. I haven't run the rig "wide open" for any
length of time yet, but I'm willing to bet the rig would still stay pretty
cool.

Thanks for all the input. I'm much happier not having wires running around
the cabin into the cigar lighter. Now that everything is wired, I have the
lighter adapter to use in my wife's car when needed for those short trips.

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 23:20:22 +0000, Gary S. wrote:

Car stereo places and installers are sometimes a good resource for this
sort of thing, as they need the same type of feedthrough.

Well, just a follow up on this. I gave in and went to the local car stereo
installer and had them do the job. While I was at it, I had them install a
small (3") 12V fan for some extra air flow. I wanted to install the rig in
an enclosed area in the console that was just wide enough for the rig,
about 10" deep and about 8" high. This "pocket" was all plastic -
including the back - however there was nothing behind the pocket under the
dash. The installer cut a small hole for the fan and tied it so that if
the car is on, so is the fan. It's pretty quiet most of the time as well.

Anyhow, the fan moves about 22cf/m of air into this pocket and out the
front right across the heat sink of the radio (the entire bottom of the
rig on the Yaesu 8800). It keeps the rig nice and cool even in pretty
heavy duty cycles at 20W or so. I haven't run the rig "wide open" for any
length of time yet, but I'm willing to bet the rig would still stay pretty
cool.

Thanks for all the input. I'm much happier not having wires running around
the cabin into the cigar lighter. Now that everything is wired, I have the
lighter adapter to use in my wife's car when needed for those short trips.

--
John LeMay
kc2kth
Senior Technical Manager
NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848
Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 18:13:44 -0400, John LeMay
wrote:

On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 14:28:57 -0700, Keyboard In The Wilderness wrote:

Somehow on all my cars I find a grommet that lets me get thru the firewall
without drilling.

That's good to know. I'll have to poke around a bit more and see what I
can find in my 2002 Impala. I did have real good luck this afternoon on my
'97 Silverado 2500. The previous owner had already run 12g through the
firewall, so I had a hole to work with. I rewired it primarily because I
wasn't sure what he had done - it was a bit confusing.

Car stereo places and installers are sometimes a good resource for
this sort of thing, as they need the same type of feedthrough.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom