Options for Powering Mobile CB In House

NYRHKY94 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 08:22 AM

Hi Guys:

Looking for different options for powering up a mobile CB in the house. I know there are various AC to DC converters/adapters out there, but I figured the folks on this board would be able to provide me with a pretty good summary of what works well and what doesn't. It would be great if the adapter accepted a cigarete lighter power cord.

Thanks in advance!

davidmc36 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 08:43 AM

Some of the 12V regulated power supplys that you can get do have cigarette lighter receptacles along with the binding posts. I don't do CB but my Dad ran his for years with a 2 AMP power supply. He had no problems with it, no noise or any issues.

trace1 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 09:16 AM

You could use a gel cell battery, that way you'd still have power if your comercial power was out.

W7RA · #4 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 09:17 AM

If you use a power supply, don't forget the "breaker" good buddy

JayMojave · #5 (**permalink**) 05-16-2009, 10:32 AM

Hello NYRHKY 94:

You came to the right place for good advice! I use to remove dear ol Dad's Truck Battery to run my Gonset G12 CB Tube Radio, and when he got up in the morning I had to get it in grear put in back in his truck with a charge so it would start for him to go to work in the mornings. Sometimes we had to push the truck down hill to get it started. Man did I ever love getting a 12 volt power supply, so did Dad!

I suggest a little Heavier Duty power supply than is needed as you have many radios there, and may need or want to run other stuff.

Pyramid 12 volt DC Power Supplies

I suggest a 10 Amp supply as some CB Radios put out more than expected, and this allow a lot of head room for other radios that run off 12 VDC.

I got tierd of not having enough amperage capacity so I bought a 35 and 70 amp power supplies. Happy radioing, Ten-4.

Jay in the Mojave

APTN · #6 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 12:30 PM

This is probably not the best setup but I used these two items to plug it into the wall.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102439

AC-DC Converter/ AC-DC Adapter/ AC-DC Power Supply (500 MA) [AC DC co

N_Jay · #7 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APTN

This is probably not the best setup but I used these two items to plug it into the wall.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102439

AC-DC Converter/ AC-DC Adapter/ AC-DC Power Supply (500 MA) [AC DC co

Not for a CB, I hope?

davidmc36 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N_Jay

Not for a CB, I hope?

.5 amp seems pretty small to handle that. The 2amp that pops used seemed to handle a mobile fine, but .5

GregFromOregon · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmc36

.5 amp seems pretty small to handle that. The 2amp that pops used seemed to handle a mobile fine, but .5

2amp minimum (what size fuse is in your power cord? that would be a good indicator of what size you need). I use a 20amp for mine only because I got it cheap, but, if I were to buy a new one I would get something a little bigger than I needed just to be safe. I've heard of a 75% rule, that is, your power rating should be high enough so that your only using 75% of it. If your DC power supply is rate at 5amp, 5X75%=3.75amp, if your drawing 3amps, you would be safe.