Making a cig. lighter plug for amplified speaker?

[oregontreehugger]

I've got a Radio Shack amplified CB speaker that I only want to mount temporarily, and power via the cigarette lighter.

Can I wire the existing power and ground leads into a 12V auto plug?

Has anyone done this?

I am trying to avoid tapping the fuse box, battery, etc.

Thanks in advance...

 

[AZScanner]

I've got a Radio Shack amplified CB speaker that I only want to mount temporarily, and power via the cigarette lighter.

Can I wire the existing power and ground leads into a 12V auto plug?

Has anyone done this?

I am trying to avoid tapping the fuse box, battery, etc.

Thanks in advance...

What is the power input now? If it can handle 13.8 VDC, you should be OK.

-AZ

 

[John_M]

If the power to the speaker is 12v yes. These 12vdc plugs can be found anyware. They have regulators inside and current limiters. So, they are safe to use with your speaker. :lol:

 

[K5MAR]

If it's the 21-541 Amplified Mobile Ext. Speaker, it's made for vehicle power, so you can use the cheapest RS cig. lighter plug, nothing fancier needed. I've got a speaker like this wired just that way, for when I have to put a radio in another vehicle temporarily. Works fine.

Mark S.

 

[oregontreehugger]

Thanks for the replies... Took a quick trip to Radio Shack and got a "DC Power Cord With On/Off Switch" (270-1559).

Sounds like that's probably waaay overkill, but I figured having a switch at my fingertips to shut the amplified speaker on and off would be neat. Besides, it was only six bucks.

Now on to crimping and shrink-tubing!

BTW, I'm planning to use this for my BC246T. Not enough pep while mobile.

 

[scanbc780]

My favorite is the 270-1509 from RS. I keep one in my glove compartment cause its reuseable.

It's just a cigarette lighter plug with press down clamp fittings

Link to RS page

 

[oregontreehugger]

Allrighty! Crimped and cut and crimped and cut... and finally got it perfect. Mounted the speaker, plugged it into the BC246T, flipped the switch, and voila... finally able to HEAR it in the car. 8)

Thanks again.

 

[cdenton]

RS Amped Speaker

I did the same thing for my Pro 96. I spliced into the wires leading to the cigarette lighter. Works great. Amplified (mine's 8 watts) is the only way to go, IMHO. Only thing I don't like is that if there's no signal, the amp shuts off and there's a slight delay to get it hot again.
I can even put the car radio on or roll down a window now and the amped speaker will cut right through the ambient noise!

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi guys,

If you think you need an amplified speaker think "Motorola". Those used in vehicles are tailored to give more than enough "punch" all by themselves without amplification IF properly aimed at the listener and away from passengers who don't want ear bleed. I had one mounted alongside the firewall next to the passenger door aimed at the driver's seat. I heard it well over all the noise while a passenger couldn't and it was right at his feet.

Hmmm, if you want REAL volume, get a Federal Interceptor package. (;->)

 

[K5MAR]

You're right, I make heavy use of the Moto speakers in my truck. But when you are dealling with the underpowered audio of a handheld scanner, sometimes you need a little extra "ommph". Remember, the higher you set the volume on your HH, the shorter the battery life. Of course, you can use external power for thr HH, but at a certain point, it becomes easier to just get a mobile scanner.

Mark S.

 

[Al42]

Hi guys,

If you think you need an amplified speaker think "Motorola". Those used in vehicles are tailored to give more than enough "punch" all by themselves

When driven by a 3-5 watt audio stage. They're not "tailored" to be driven by a few milliwatts. By driving the scanner that high you're adding quite a bit of distortion.