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Using car accessory ports to power radios?
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 |
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Hi Andy,
Not a problem as long as you keep your power leads as short in length as possible. If you have time you could run a pair of #6 fused from the battery into the car by following the hood release cable. That is what I did for my 1998 sable and truck. The anderson powerpoles are great connectors. Here is a link for you http://www.eham.net/forums/MobileHam/934 Also http://www.eham.net is a great site for info and lots of elmers to help. 73 jimbo 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 |
Hi Andy,
Not a problem as long as you keep your power leads as short in length as possible. If you have time you could run a pair of #6 fused from the battery into the car by following the hood release cable. That is what I did for my 1998 sable and truck. The anderson powerpoles are great connectors. Here is a link for you http://www.eham.net/forums/MobileHam/934 Also http://www.eham.net is a great site for info and lots of elmers to help. 73 jimbo 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 |
Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the
battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the
battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
That's probably a little high for current drain. I would say it is
more typically 11 A. My IC-746 running 100-watts on 2-meters draws only 18 A. Yes, I know you said, "up to." Dick - W6CCD On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 14:31:40 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: A typical 50W mobile will pull up to 15 A off 12 VDC at max power TX. Most do not have this extra port, and do direct wiring from the battery through the firewall, fused on both sides. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) |
That's probably a little high for current drain. I would say it is
more typically 11 A. My IC-746 running 100-watts on 2-meters draws only 18 A. Yes, I know you said, "up to." Dick - W6CCD On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 14:31:40 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: A typical 50W mobile will pull up to 15 A off 12 VDC at max power TX. Most do not have this extra port, and do direct wiring from the battery through the firewall, fused on both sides. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) |
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 07:44:44 -0700, Dick
wrote: That's probably a little high for current drain. I would say it is more typically 11 A. My IC-746 running 100-watts on 2-meters draws only 18 A. Yes, I know you said, "up to." My 50 W Yaesu rig specs 12 or 13 A. I rounded up. No harm in a little safety factor, beside wire or outlet ratings are always in multiples of 5 A. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 07:44:44 -0700, Dick
wrote: That's probably a little high for current drain. I would say it is more typically 11 A. My IC-746 running 100-watts on 2-meters draws only 18 A. Yes, I know you said, "up to." My 50 W Yaesu rig specs 12 or 13 A. I rounded up. No harm in a little safety factor, beside wire or outlet ratings are always in multiples of 5 A. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
Hi Andy,
You will find that a separate, fused wire run to the vehicle battery is recommended by most sources (mfg., mags., etc.,). And indeed, it IS a good idea. Having said that, I've been running a 50 W rig (IC-2720H) from the rear seat accessory jack in my 2000 Saturn Wagon for the past year. Ran a single band 2M rig before that. Never had a problem with the rig or interferring with the Saturn's "brain". I would caution, however, against using under gauge wire. I'm using the rigs supplied power cord (I believe it's #12 stranded) for the run from the jack to the wheel well in the trunk where the rig is mounted. The control head is mounted on the dashboard. The rig feeds a MFJ dual-band on-glass antenna on the drivers side rear window, so the RF leads are away from the power leads and away from the front of the vehicle. The draw for the rig is about 8 amps on hi power. That's with an antenna that's close to a 1:1 match. If it gets too far out of tune and your SWR's go up, the current drain will go up as well. So, set up the system properly, use wire at least as heavy as the lead to the accessory jack, and give it a try. Worst case...just run low power. HTH, Paul (N0KIA) 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 |
Hi Andy,
You will find that a separate, fused wire run to the vehicle battery is recommended by most sources (mfg., mags., etc.,). And indeed, it IS a good idea. Having said that, I've been running a 50 W rig (IC-2720H) from the rear seat accessory jack in my 2000 Saturn Wagon for the past year. Ran a single band 2M rig before that. Never had a problem with the rig or interferring with the Saturn's "brain". I would caution, however, against using under gauge wire. I'm using the rigs supplied power cord (I believe it's #12 stranded) for the run from the jack to the wheel well in the trunk where the rig is mounted. The control head is mounted on the dashboard. The rig feeds a MFJ dual-band on-glass antenna on the drivers side rear window, so the RF leads are away from the power leads and away from the front of the vehicle. The draw for the rig is about 8 amps on hi power. That's with an antenna that's close to a 1:1 match. If it gets too far out of tune and your SWR's go up, the current drain will go up as well. So, set up the system properly, use wire at least as heavy as the lead to the accessory jack, and give it a try. Worst case...just run low power. HTH, Paul (N0KIA) 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 |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. Why are you trying to avoid hooking direct to the battery? It is generally the best solution for a mobile rig. This minimizes the chance of things like alternator whine on the incoming or outgoing signal and any other type of interference that might be picked up by the car wiring system and delivered to your radio. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
"VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. Why are you trying to avoid hooking direct to the battery? It is generally the best solution for a mobile rig. This minimizes the chance of things like alternator whine on the incoming or outgoing signal and any other type of interference that might be picked up by the car wiring system and delivered to your radio. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
If it is indeed an accesory port as opposed to the actual dash cigarette
lighter socket, possibly checking the actual wiring to the socket might give an idea as to the capabilities. Also, contacting the manufacturer of said vehicle could also help. 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. My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
If it is indeed an accesory port as opposed to the actual dash cigarette
lighter socket, possibly checking the actual wiring to the socket might give an idea as to the capabilities. Also, contacting the manufacturer of said vehicle could also help. 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. My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct. -- Ryan, KC8PMX FF1-FF2-MFR-(pending NREMT-B!) --. --- -.. ... .- -. --. . .-.. ... .- .-. . ..-. .. .-. . ..-. ... --. .... - . .-. ... "VHFRadioBuff" wrote in message ... Thanks for the replies. I'm really trying avoid hooking the radio up to the battery. I've got it hooked up to the battery in my other car right now, but will be switching over to the Sable soon. I'll have to check the owner's manual to see if it says what the amp rating is for the Sable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now. Dick - W6CCD On Wed, 1 Oct 2003 00:09:36 -0400, "Ryan, KC8PMX" wrote: My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct. |
Why not wire in a bank of PowerPoles instead. Much neater and smaller
installation. I use PowerPoles on everything now. Dick - W6CCD On Wed, 1 Oct 2003 00:09:36 -0400, "Ryan, KC8PMX" wrote: My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct. |
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. 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! 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. 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 |
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. 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! 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. 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
On 02 Oct 2003 12:39:14 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: 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 I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct." Dick - W6CCD |
I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct." You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck,
I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct." You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: 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! The 2000 MY Saab 9.5 that I drive has a cigarette lighter and a rear seat cigarette lighter. Since mine did not have the optional ashtrays in it (interesting concept), it came with dummy plugs in place of the lighter. Total drain is limited to 240 watts for both plugs per the manual. Your owners manual ought to tell you the limits for your car, if not, then a good dealer should be able to. Worst case is prospecting the fuse box to see what the fuses are. Most likely, it's paralleled with the cigarette lighter socket. I will have the HT powered and bypassing the cigarette lighter, but the rear one will be running a little portable peltier junction fridge, which takes a few amps. Your only problem with the cigarette lighter may be that you pick up more alternator whine than you'd like. That is one reason why people suggest wiring directly across the battery, it serves as a big capacitor. Harvey =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: 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! The 2000 MY Saab 9.5 that I drive has a cigarette lighter and a rear seat cigarette lighter. Since mine did not have the optional ashtrays in it (interesting concept), it came with dummy plugs in place of the lighter. Total drain is limited to 240 watts for both plugs per the manual. Your owners manual ought to tell you the limits for your car, if not, then a good dealer should be able to. Worst case is prospecting the fuse box to see what the fuses are. Most likely, it's paralleled with the cigarette lighter socket. I will have the HT powered and bypassing the cigarette lighter, but the rear one will be running a little portable peltier junction fridge, which takes a few amps. Your only problem with the cigarette lighter may be that you pick up more alternator whine than you'd like. That is one reason why people suggest wiring directly across the battery, it serves as a big capacitor. Harvey =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com |
I have a 2002 Taurus, and there is a popout cover on the accessory jack
that says "12V 10AMP." I couldn't find an exact reference to the amperage of the fuse for this circuit, though there was a 40 amp fuse protecting the power seat, adjustable pedals and "accessory". The lighter fuse is 20 amps. I notice that on a lot of power supplies that have a lighter jack, the jack is only rated for 10 amps and the manuals say that they should be used for "accessories." The manufacturers recommend using the binding posts for transceivers. If you do try this, let us know how it works out since this was my plan as well. The Yaesu FT-1500M allegedly draws 8 amps at 50 watt output. pamme (VHFRadioBuff) wrote in : 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 have a 2002 Taurus, and there is a popout cover on the accessory jack
that says "12V 10AMP." I couldn't find an exact reference to the amperage of the fuse for this circuit, though there was a 40 amp fuse protecting the power seat, adjustable pedals and "accessory". The lighter fuse is 20 amps. I notice that on a lot of power supplies that have a lighter jack, the jack is only rated for 10 amps and the manuals say that they should be used for "accessories." The manufacturers recommend using the binding posts for transceivers. If you do try this, let us know how it works out since this was my plan as well. The Yaesu FT-1500M allegedly draws 8 amps at 50 watt output. pamme (VHFRadioBuff) wrote in : 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 |
On 02 Oct 2003 13:50:28 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct." You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com You are right. It was Ryan KC8PMX that I was responding to. My point was that I was NOT responding to your question. Just a little mix up in names. Sorry. Dick |
On 02 Oct 2003 13:50:28 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: I was responding to Andy KC2SSB who said, and I quote, "My next truck, I am going to wire quite a few of them in there, with adequate wiring, at least for the stuff requiring 15amps or less, with the source for those sockets coming from the battery direct." You weren't replying to ME (KC2SSB), you were replying to someone else. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS) Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com You are right. It was Ryan KC8PMX that I was responding to. My point was that I was NOT responding to your question. Just a little mix up in names. Sorry. Dick |
I used a cigarette lighter plug on my IC-2100 for a week. Turns out that
I melted the solder in the fuse due to excessive heat. A small amount of resistance times the current makes watts of heat that has no place to go. I cannibalized my CB power circuit for ham use. Now it works better. (6 gauge to battery. I used to run heat.) |
I used a cigarette lighter plug on my IC-2100 for a week. Turns out that
I melted the solder in the fuse due to excessive heat. A small amount of resistance times the current makes watts of heat that has no place to go. I cannibalized my CB power circuit for ham use. Now it works better. (6 gauge to battery. I used to run heat.) |
On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: 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. In my Chevy van, the owner's manual rates the cigarette lighter at 20 amps, the accessory power outlets at 25 amps. Check your owner's manual -- it should give you a maximum rating under something like "accessory power outlets" or whatever. Then check your transceiver manual, and see how many amps the rig pulls at 50 watts fm... Finally, you can just try it, and see if the plug gets warm or hot... Bob k5qwg 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 |
On 02 Oct 2003 12:43:01 GMT, pamme (VHFRadioBuff)
wrote: 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. In my Chevy van, the owner's manual rates the cigarette lighter at 20 amps, the accessory power outlets at 25 amps. Check your owner's manual -- it should give you a maximum rating under something like "accessory power outlets" or whatever. Then check your transceiver manual, and see how many amps the rig pulls at 50 watts fm... Finally, you can just try it, and see if the plug gets warm or hot... Bob k5qwg 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 |
"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 |
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