Made up a 12v radio tester today.....

[KJ6HCB]

Figured Id share the idea. Not sure if this is the best forum to put it, but oh well :lol:.

I frequently come across radios where it would be nice to know if they power on or have any signs of life at sales, auctions, or out in the field doing service. I have an event coming up where I need to go through and test about 150 mobiles quickly to determine their functionality.... I made up this guy:

Its as 12 volt, 1.3 amp hour sealed AGM battery from the local Batteries Plus store, was only $14.99. Small enough that itll slip in my jacket pocket no problem. I wired a Motorola plug to it directly for some testing tonight, but I am going to revise the design by hardwiring an Anderson Powerpole connector on and then attaching that to the battery edge - that way I can swap out adapter plugs for Motorola, Yaesu T style, etc, or even alligator clips.

Not sure on how long its going to last, but I figure it should be quite a while just powering on radios listening for a beep and looking for life on the display.

Works great!

 

[markbart]

That's not a bad idea.

Mark

 

[Thayne]

Just don't let the smoke out if you get the polarity wrong on some radio with a weird connector; I got thrown out of an auction once for opening a locked rack--

 

[KJ6HCB]

Just don't let the smoke out if you get the polarity wrong on some radio with a weird connector; I got thrown out of an auction once for opening a locked rack--

LOL! Yes, I always have /\/\ keys with me to open locked cabinets, or investigate open cabinets then lock them :lol:

 

[fineshot1]

Good idea

This is a good idea. That looks like a typical UPS battery and for
checking the radios for signs of life it should work fine.

Suggestion: Make the cord a little longer for ease of use and also put a
typical 15A fuse inline in case a radio you come across has an internal
problem and blows fuses. Also make up a short wire with alligator clips
on both ends in case a radio you are trying to test requires ignition
sense to power up and make sure you bring along some extra fuses.

Oh and you may need some accessory plugs for various radios already
wired up for ignition sense with a wire lead from the appropriate pin.

 

[K9WG]

This is a good idea. That looks like a typical UPS battery and for
checking the radios for signs of life it should work fine.

Suggestion: Make the cord a little longer for ease of use and also put a
typical 15A fuse inline in case a radio you come across has an internal
problem and blows fuses. Also make up a short wire with alligator clips
on both ends in case a radio you are trying to test requires ignition
sense to power up and make sure you bring along some extra fuses.

Oh and you may need some accessory plugs for various radios already
wired up for ignition sense with a wire lead from the appropriate pin.

Dang! You beat me to it.

 

[davidgcet]

if you are not going to TX on them, i would put a 2A fuse. that is more than enough to handle a power up. of course if it is a trunked radio it may try to affiliate, but with no antenna on it the key burst will be quick and probably won't pop the fuse.