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"Fred McKenzie" wrote in message ... In general, the concept of the cigarette lighter plug is not a bad idea, PROVIDED that the wiring from the device requiring power and the wiring to the socket itself is more than adequate. For 12v related applications, it is too bad that this is not utlized more. Again, for those who want to read differently into this, I am saying the concept is a good idea, but current manufacture of such sockets are less than to be desired. Ryan- I agree and disagree. I think it IS a bad idea. As you say, current manufacture of such sockets is such that it makes a poor connector for the currents involved. And read the last line of the quote of me..... The CONCEPT is good, but current manufacturing of them is less that to be desired. Looking a select design faults of such sockets, wiring etc, and "vamping up" those would create a nice way to get power. While you may install sockets to meet your specifications, those installed by auto manufacturers often are limited by a ten ampere fuse, which means they were designed for a five ampere load. Many lighter plugs available on the market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall melting insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the fuse never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a problem! And thats why I wouldn't run more that it is rated for, for the factory ones. Running low current draw devices is not a problem with those factory designed ones, unless they are specifically designed to run a higher draw. I agree with the suggestion of Dick - W6CCD. I don't know if the Andersen Power Pole connectors are a perfect solution, but they are the best, most readily available mobile power connector I've come across. To test them out, I recently switched over to West Mountain Radio's smaller "Rig Runner" outlet box for mobile operation. They certainly are capable of greater current than a common lighter plug and socket combination. Of course you can bypass the Rig Runner if you only have one radio to connect. The genderless feature is one of the things I like about the Power Poles. I haven't seen those but will search later on and see. I have seeen some type of connector device, but it looked like one of those strips used in larger phone network interfaces, or at least something like it. If this powerpole thingy is anything close to that.... I do not want it. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... After using the Power Poles for a few months, the only drawbacks I've found are a difficulty in crimping ten guage wire, and the "roll pins" that some recommend to keep the connector pair from sliding apart, keep falling out. Per West Mountain's suggestion, I'm now using Super Glue to keep them from sliding apart, but I'm still looking for a good hand-operated open-terminal crimp tool for the ten guage connectors. 73, Fred, K4DII |
Trying locating one of the grommets on the firewall and feed a fairly decent
wire (two conductor wire) to the battery that way. No damage if you are using an existing source entry point. Works well especially for those leasing a vehicle. If it is large enough, you might also be able to run other devices as well. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now. Dick - W6CCD Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
Trying locating one of the grommets on the firewall and feed a fairly decent
wire (two conductor wire) to the battery that way. No damage if you are using an existing source entry point. Works well especially for those leasing a vehicle. If it is large enough, you might also be able to run other devices as well. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now. Dick - W6CCD Because my car has an accessory port and I am not about to go "hamifying" my car, short of a dualband antenna and a radio with a remote mount head. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking
about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. Andy- I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as power connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be better for general high current use. Please elaborate. If it does use lighter sockets, that was the basis for my suggestion to use something different where more than 4 or 5 amps of current is involved. Yes, that would result in "hamifying" your vehicle, but it would provide the capability for higher current equipment. You mention inverters being used with the accessory port. A common inverter would be one like Radio Shack's 300 watt unit. Fully loaded, it might draw about 25 Amps. Although your accessory port may be rated for more than 25 Amps total, I don't think it is a good idea to draw that much out of any one lighter socket connector. 73, Fred, K4DII |
But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking
about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. Andy- I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as power connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be better for general high current use. Please elaborate. If it does use lighter sockets, that was the basis for my suggestion to use something different where more than 4 or 5 amps of current is involved. Yes, that would result in "hamifying" your vehicle, but it would provide the capability for higher current equipment. You mention inverters being used with the accessory port. A common inverter would be one like Radio Shack's 300 watt unit. Fully loaded, it might draw about 25 Amps. Although your accessory port may be rated for more than 25 Amps total, I don't think it is a good idea to draw that much out of any one lighter socket connector. 73, Fred, K4DII |
I think the most important thing here is to find out what your
particular vehicle shows in the specifications for those accessory ports. There are obvious differences between vehicles. Our 2003 Honda Accord, for example, has two accessory sockets and no cigarette lighter socket. They can each provide 10-amps (120 watts), but not simultaneously. The total power between the two is still 120 watts, so they are obviously on the same circuit. We would have to have the owner's manual to your vehicle to answer your question. Dick - W6CCD On 04 Oct 2003 18:53:32 GMT, (Fred McKenzie) wrote: But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. Andy- |
I think the most important thing here is to find out what your
particular vehicle shows in the specifications for those accessory ports. There are obvious differences between vehicles. Our 2003 Honda Accord, for example, has two accessory sockets and no cigarette lighter socket. They can each provide 10-amps (120 watts), but not simultaneously. The total power between the two is still 120 watts, so they are obviously on the same circuit. We would have to have the owner's manual to your vehicle to answer your question. Dick - W6CCD On 04 Oct 2003 18:53:32 GMT, (Fred McKenzie) wrote: But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. Andy- |
I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as
power connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be better for general high current use. Please elaborate. The accessory port I am refering to is seperate from the cigarette lighter. As a matter of fact, the owner's manual says not to use the cigarette lighter plug for anything other than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be drawn. It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
I had assumed that the accessory port used the common lighter sockets as
power connectors. If that is not true, perhaps they use a connector that would be better for general high current use. Please elaborate. The accessory port I am refering to is seperate from the cigarette lighter. As a matter of fact, the owner's manual says not to use the cigarette lighter plug for anything other than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be drawn. It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message
... for anything other than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be drawn. It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all. In the manual it should say what fuse covers what circuit, and what it's amperage is. My guess is your acc. port is a 20A circuit. |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message
... for anything other than the cigarette lighter. There is no rating in the book or on the cap for the accessory port that tells the max amps that can be drawn. It looks like I'll have to run wires to the battery after all. In the manual it should say what fuse covers what circuit, and what it's amperage is. My guess is your acc. port is a 20A circuit. |
I talked to a friend of mine who until recently was service manager at
a Lincoln-Mercury dealer. His wife currently has a 2000 Sable. He said the outlet is fused for 15-amps, and apparently feeds from a distribution panel fused for 20-amps. I would think you would be OK with a 50-watt radio as long as you don't put anything else on the outlet. Dick - W6CCD On 30 Sep 2003 13:15:38 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff) wrote: Hello all. My car has a seperate "accessory" port from the standard cigarette lighter. My understanding is that this port is actually rated for more amps than the cigarette lighter and might actually be ok to power my 50 watt 2m mobile if I were to add a cigarette lighter plug to the end of it. Can anyone comment on this? Any experience using these accessory ports to power 50 watt radios? The car in question is a 2000 Mercury Sable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
I talked to a friend of mine who until recently was service manager at
a Lincoln-Mercury dealer. His wife currently has a 2000 Sable. He said the outlet is fused for 15-amps, and apparently feeds from a distribution panel fused for 20-amps. I would think you would be OK with a 50-watt radio as long as you don't put anything else on the outlet. Dick - W6CCD Thanks for the reply! Finally one with information instead of speculation! :) I'll consider what you've told me, although I am now thinking I might just go ahead and wire it directly to the battery, like I have it in my other car right now. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
I talked to a friend of mine who until recently was service manager at
a Lincoln-Mercury dealer. His wife currently has a 2000 Sable. He said the outlet is fused for 15-amps, and apparently feeds from a distribution panel fused for 20-amps. I would think you would be OK with a 50-watt radio as long as you don't put anything else on the outlet. Dick - W6CCD Thanks for the reply! Finally one with information instead of speculation! :) I'll consider what you've told me, although I am now thinking I might just go ahead and wire it directly to the battery, like I have it in my other car right now. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Many lighter plugs available on the market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall melting insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the fuse never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a problem! But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted to try this. If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience, please let me know! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com I am running a Azden PCS 6000-H 2m rig on high power through an accessory port whenever I travel with the Red Cross, as I am usually in a rental car and I doubt that the rental company would like me running wires all over the place, this way too when I am in my hotel I can plug the same rig into my power supply to ragchew a bit before going to bed. I also have run other rigs this same way and never had any problems, I do however have an inline noise filter in place so as to avoid any alternator or other noise. 73 de Keith -- -- KC8TCQ "3 out of 4 people surveyed, belong to 75% of the population." |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Many lighter plugs available on the market, may be adequate for five amperes, but not much more. I recall melting insulation on the wire to a lighter plug on a car I used to have, and the fuse never blew. The rig I was using only ran 25 watts output, but it had a problem! But again, I am not asking about the CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG. I am asking about the ACCESSORY port in the car, which is supposed to be used to power "accessories", like inverters, computers, etc. I originally asked for anyone with actual experience with using 50w FM radios and the accessory port, but I guess I am the only ham in the world that reads this newsgroup that has wanted to try this. If anyone has any factual information for me, preferably actual experience, please let me know! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com I am running a Azden PCS 6000-H 2m rig on high power through an accessory port whenever I travel with the Red Cross, as I am usually in a rental car and I doubt that the rental company would like me running wires all over the place, this way too when I am in my hotel I can plug the same rig into my power supply to ragchew a bit before going to bed. I also have run other rigs this same way and never had any problems, I do however have an inline noise filter in place so as to avoid any alternator or other noise. 73 de Keith -- -- KC8TCQ "3 out of 4 people surveyed, belong to 75% of the population." |
Like I had said in an earlier post Andy, there are usually rubber grommets
on the firewall of most cars and trucks that yo could feed the wiring through, which removes the need for drilling. Good luck No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
Like I had said in an earlier post Andy, there are usually rubber grommets
on the firewall of most cars and trucks that yo could feed the wiring through, which removes the need for drilling. Good luck No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios
for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com Typical Andy, know nothing, and doesnt want to learn. Got a question, you have your Ham Call, your GMS Call, but I dont see your CB Call or HANDLE listed, whats the problem Andy? |
No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios
for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com Typical Andy, know nothing, and doesnt want to learn. Got a question, you have your Ham Call, your GMS Call, but I dont see your CB Call or HANDLE listed, whats the problem Andy? |
It's not a big deal to run wiring through the firewall like that, and when
you sell, lease-return or whatever, it's a simple matter of either pulling the wiring out, or just merely clipping the wire on both sides of the firewall. Chances are the next person wouldn't even have a clue that ya did that. As far as the accessory port, why not just call the damned dealership to find out what the rating is if it is not listed in the owners manual or other places. It's not that hard to do that, nor is it hard to look up the current draw rating for whatever rig you are using and compare those two numbers. -- Ryan, KC8PMX "Symbolism is for the simple minded....." "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Like I had said in an earlier post Andy, there are usually rubber grommets on the firewall of most cars and trucks that yo could feed the wiring through, which removes the need for drilling. Good luck No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
It's not a big deal to run wiring through the firewall like that, and when
you sell, lease-return or whatever, it's a simple matter of either pulling the wiring out, or just merely clipping the wire on both sides of the firewall. Chances are the next person wouldn't even have a clue that ya did that. As far as the accessory port, why not just call the damned dealership to find out what the rating is if it is not listed in the owners manual or other places. It's not that hard to do that, nor is it hard to look up the current draw rating for whatever rig you are using and compare those two numbers. -- Ryan, KC8PMX "Symbolism is for the simple minded....." "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Like I had said in an earlier post Andy, there are usually rubber grommets on the firewall of most cars and trucks that yo could feed the wiring through, which removes the need for drilling. Good luck No kidding. I'm well aware of that. That's how I've been hooking up my radios for years, but when I move to this other car, I'd prefer not to do that, which is why I asked if anyone had any experience using the accessory port, not if anyone has suggestions for wiring up my radio. Thanks for the input though. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
On Wed, 8 Oct 2003 00:46:56 -0400, "Ryan, KC8PMX"
wrote: It's not a big deal to run wiring through the firewall like that, and when you sell, lease-return or whatever, it's a simple matter of either pulling the wiring out, or just merely clipping the wire on both sides of the firewall. Chances are the next person wouldn't even have a clue that ya did that. As far as the accessory port, why not just call the damned dealership to find out what the rating is if it is not listed in the owners manual or other places. It's not that hard to do that, nor is it hard to look up the current draw rating for whatever rig you are using and compare those two numbers. The best source for those ratings would be the manufacturer, via the dealer or the owner's manual. I am certain that there is a wide range from one manufacturer to another. As said, a "temporary" wiring job might be simplest. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Wed, 8 Oct 2003 00:46:56 -0400, "Ryan, KC8PMX"
wrote: It's not a big deal to run wiring through the firewall like that, and when you sell, lease-return or whatever, it's a simple matter of either pulling the wiring out, or just merely clipping the wire on both sides of the firewall. Chances are the next person wouldn't even have a clue that ya did that. As far as the accessory port, why not just call the damned dealership to find out what the rating is if it is not listed in the owners manual or other places. It's not that hard to do that, nor is it hard to look up the current draw rating for whatever rig you are using and compare those two numbers. The best source for those ratings would be the manufacturer, via the dealer or the owner's manual. I am certain that there is a wide range from one manufacturer to another. As said, a "temporary" wiring job might be simplest. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
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