CB only works with key on, can I direct wire?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by BurjKhalifa, Jun 25, 2024.

  1. BurjKhalifa

    BurjKhalifa Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Nov 22, 2023
    0
    Hi guys, i recently got a 2000 peterbilt and the cb wiring is ontop of the glovebox. CB only turns on when the key is on, however i need it to have constant power even when the truck is off. Is there anything i can do to change it or should i just wire it directly to the battery?
    TIA
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

    4,333
    8,359
    Oct 5, 2012
    Earth
    0
    That's pretty standard. Been that way for as long as I've seen it from 90s on up. If you wire up to the battery make sure to have an inline fuse.
     
    BurjKhalifa Thanks this.
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    13,262
    70,841
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    Could get a cigarette lighter plug and use that. Make sure it’s fused.
     
    BurjKhalifa Thanks this.
  5. BurjKhalifa

    BurjKhalifa Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Nov 22, 2023
    0
    Thanks, other trucks dont need that. I assume 10 guage wire will be ok ?
     
  6. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,261
    5,980
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    That is usually the standard, my 2000 Peterbilt is the same. If you want it on when the key is off, you need to wire it to the battery, or cigarette lighter.
     
    BurjKhalifa Thanks this.
  7. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

    4,333
    8,359
    Oct 5, 2012
    Earth
    0
    For your standard CB power they have a 5 amp fuse and usually thin enough wire that I would guess 20 AWG or thinner. If all you have is 10 gauge its fine but no need to go overkill.

    14 gauge should be fine if you have it.

    I might even be misremembering and it has a smaller fuse I'm only going by memory. Legal Max transmission is one Watt.
     
  8. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,261
    5,980
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    Yes. Running it across to the A pillar, and you can feed the wire down, where you can grab it by taking off the far left dash panel.
     
    BurjKhalifa Thanks this.
  9. BurjKhalifa

    BurjKhalifa Bobtail Member

    20
    6
    Nov 22, 2023
    0
    Yea its funny cause my 99 cb has constant power and cigarette lighter key must be on ,
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  10. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

    3,261
    5,980
    Nov 16, 2013
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    That's weird, my cigarette lighter is constantly on. I wasn't getting enough volts through the cb wire, which is above the windshield under my radio. I ran a 10 gauge wire to the fuse box, and used a spare fuse outlet. It turns of with the key, but I like it that way. Sounds like you need to go directly to the battery.
     
  11. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    48,234
    220,567
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    I thought it was four watts. o_O
     
    handlebar and High Stepper Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.