ham radio tech. question

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by roll'in, Oct 27, 2012.

  1. roll'in

    roll'in Bobtail Member

    35
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    Oct 2, 2012
    indiana
    0
    Have any hams used the factory power poles on the dash of their rig? Wondering what max. current draw is?
    Just got back into trucking after working in a limestone quarry for awhile. Trying to keep it simple yet affective.
    Looking to run either my kenwood 2m or icom 706 something like that. Do i need to go straight to battery or will factory
    power conects hold that current?:biggrin_2558:

    tnx, ab9vg
     
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  3. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    I go straight to the battery for my battery and ground, then use a product called Anderson Power Poles for DC distribution. They're silver plated, they mate over a wide surface under tight tension, and there are versions made for up to quite high current ratings. I actually use a panel that I got from Grumpy's that has a combination of Power Poles and binding posts because several of my DC loads are quite modest, like only an amp or two. But I don't trust the typical binding posts that show up on the dash of lots of big rigs / tractors, if that's what you mean.
    http://www.grumpyshop.net/ is one source; http://www.powerwerx.com/ is another. A lot of hams have standardized the choice of how the shells of the red and black are positioned so that their gear can be plugged into each others' stations without too much thought, but it still bears asking before just going ahead and jamming them in.
    Our local ARES group has adopted what I believe is the "standard" standard for orientation, and I haven't gotten caught yet at an exercise or Field Day (where "yet" is the operative term).
    Hope that helps.
     
  4. roll'in

    roll'in Bobtail Member

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    Oct 2, 2012
    indiana
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    Thanks handlebar.
    "binding posts" why didnt I know that.
    Familiar with powerwerx. Thanks for grumpys.
     
  5. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    Yup, they're pretty handy. I've even made up pigtails to adapt from the ubiquitous T-style DC connectors used on lots of the older Icom and other ham gear, and for my 6-pin Molex Icom IC-730, and the Motorola "trailer-type" rubber 2-pin dashmount power connectors, that all go in my "go bag". That way I can run any of my gear on nearly anyone else's power supply, or vice versa, even if they don't have their own adapter pigtails. I just have large key box tags with my call on them to make sure they get back to me when the event is over.

    As to the original question, I've found a variety of wire sizes under the dashmounted binding posts, and even barefoot radios run off them that came in to my shop were making a fair amount of alternator noise on TX. I wasn't sure whence they picked up their source voltage.

    73,
    Handlebar.
     
  6. roll'in

    roll'in Bobtail Member

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    Oct 2, 2012
    indiana
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    I like the way you explain things.
    73 to you sir.
     
  7. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    I use Powerpoles for all my ham gear. They are marketed in 15, 30, and 45 Amp ratings.

    The Amp ratings correlates to the size wire they are sized for, and you can freely interconnect the three sizes. Most people use the 30A size; they can easily take 12ga stranded cable.

    The actual Powerpole connection will handle over 200 Amps without damage.

    I made up a 10' cable from 12ga stranded with 60A battery clamps, fused for 20A. It stayed securely clipped onto the battery of a 26' Penske International diesel on a cross country trip. If you're using the same truck day after day, I'd use ring terminals on the battery clamp instead of the clip-ons.
     
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