Which Battery for Comms Radio????
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 10:19
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Kevin_Natalia
Hi All,
I have a 93 Landcrusier VX, which I am currently trying to sort out the radios (comms) for, the positioning and cable configuration.
I am looking at fitting a Kenwood TS-450S, Kenwould TM-742 VHF/UHF and UHF CB in. I am a Ham, ZL1KFM.
The Landcrusier has 2 batteries in the engine bay, however the car system, from what I am told, and I have checked, is 12v.
I wish to straight connect to one of the batteries, however which one do I contect it to. do I use the left (driver side) or the right?
Any help would be grateful.
Also, if anyone has fitted a TS-450 or hte likes in a Landcrusier, could I request a photo, have not decided the best position to place it, to come to it, I have not dome the TM-742 yet either.
Regards and Thanks
Kevin, ZL1KFM & Natalia
sparc@internet.co.nz
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 10:40
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 10:40
If the batteries are isolated with the ignition off then connect the radios to the isolated battery as it's easy to flatten a battery with a bit of rag chewing on HF. If not isolated then connect to the battery which offers the shortest cable run.
AnswerID:
72585
Reply By: drivesafe - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 12:15
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 12:15
Hi Kevin_Natalia,
Is your Toyota fitted with an after market auxiliary battery or is it the factory fit dual battery set up.
If it is the factory set then you can connect to either battery as they are most likely permanently connected together. This is done for cold start conditions, Not really applicable in QLD.
If it is an after market set up, then find your starter motor solenoid and trace the power cable back to the battery. It’s a safe bet that this will be your cranking battery, so go to the other battery and make your connection there. You will have to make sure there is some sort of isolating device on the cable running between the two batteries.
As for the cable set up. Run a minimum cable size of about 4mm from the battery to the radio and put a fuse in the cable as close to the battery as possible, even if the radio has a fuse.
The cable is heavyer than you need but it is big enough to alow other accessories to be added to it.
Saves time, next time.
Regards.
AnswerID:
72591
Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:00
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:00
Do you think 4mm is heavy enough for a ts-450s which can draw 20 amps.
FollowupID:
332764
Follow Up By: drivesafe - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:35
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:35
Hi Mad Dog, did not know that it would pull that sort of current. 4mm would just be good enough but it would better to good to 6mm if you need that sort of power and this would counter any voltage drop if it is going to be a long run between the battery and the radio.
What does the TS-450 do to require that sort of power?
regards.
FollowupID:
332767
Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:57
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 13:57
It's a HF rig with an RF output of 100 watts. Manufactures specs are 20 amps max.
TS450S
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Follow Up By: drivesafe - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 14:22
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 14:22
Thanks Mad Dog, one learns something new every day.
Thanks again and regards.
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 14:29
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 14:29
No probs. The current draw may seem high for the output but a solid state linear amp is only 50 or 60% efficient.
FollowupID:
332774
Reply By: Andy - Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 22:38
Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 at 22:38
Kevin,
Suggest that you give them to your closest relative who could put them on his VX instead
AnswerID:
72646
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Sunday, Aug 15, 2004 at 17:09
Sunday, Aug 15, 2004 at 17:09
The Landcruiser is a large vehicle Kevin but how you're gonna get that TS450 installed up front I have no idea..it is rather large isn't it.
You will be better off getting something with a remote head. I have an Alinco DX70TH with the head on the transmission hump betwen the seats with the main unit under the seats...beware of
water crossings :) All mode, all bands WARC & 6M
100 watts
DX70TH in the Ute
AnswerID:
72691