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KSC-32 12V mobile options

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clifford1

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Apr 25, 2005
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Looking to see if anyone has cheaply solved the problem with using the 16 V DC KSC-32 charging base in a 12V DC mobile environment.

I have a TK-2180 which I would like to have charging in my fire chief car, but I have only the KSC-32 desktop charger and the 110V AC adapter. The charging base requires 16V DC according to the label.

Apparently, there is a OEM cable to use the base on 12V DC but it lists for $100.00 plus!!!!

I had a set up using a AC/DC inverter in the vehicle, but the battery drain was too much (killed the car battery on several occasions when I forgot to turn it off). Not good when you are trying to respond to a fire.

Can the KSC-32 base accept 12V instead of 16V and still function? Is there any other way to handle this without the expense?

Thanks.

Chris C.
 

ramal121

Lots and lots of watts
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Calif Whine Country
I have wired KSC-24 (tk-380) chargers directly to 12 volts and they work fine. The KSC-32 is basically the same charging circuit so I would be comfortable doing those as well.

With the engine off and the battery at 12 volts, it seems there is not enough overhead to supply full charging current. It may take a little longer but they will come up to snuff. With the engine running it works a well as with a wall wart.
 

va7wes

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Jul 23, 2009
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604
I would not run the KSC-32 on 12V especially with a li-ion battery pack. The radio must be off when charging or the KSC-32 will overcharge the battery. The KSC-32 has have a hard time detecting when the battery is full if the radio is on.

If I were you buy another battery pack or spend the money on the KVC-15 DC charger adapter. Even with the KVC-15 adapter the radio must be off while charging.
 

gtriever

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Jan 12, 2012
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Why not stick a ChargeGuard on the input to the inverter and set it to time out after 2 to 4 hours?
 

wa9cwe

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Feb 19, 2009
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Location
Alexandria, IN
I'd like to do this with a number of KSC-24 chargers we have, but I don't want to cut the cable from the good AC power supply. does anyone know of a source/PN of the plug on the cable that interfaces with the charger base? It's easy enough to make up a fused 12VDC cable if the plug can be found.
 

dapaq2

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Oct 10, 2005
Messages
308
Location
Northwest Indiana
Looking to see if anyone has cheaply solved the problem with using the 16 V DC KSC-32 charging base in a 12V DC mobile environment.

Has anyone found a solution to Clifford1's question? I too would be interested to know of any aftermarket or custom built cigarette lighter options out there as an alternative to buying Kenwood's version.

Doug
 

phillmobile

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Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
253
Location
bridlington, uk
Just wire them to 12volts
I have as you can see in the picture a gp300 charger and 2 kenwood chargers in the vehicle.
IMGP1148.jpg
 
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