Power for CDM1250

[JackRoberts23]

Hey all,

I'm currently waiting for a power source for my cdm 1250. I have all the power wires to connect to a vehicle but I don't need that. I was wondering if there is any way I can power the radio while waiting for a power source?

Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

Well, you need 12 volts DC, that's the only way you'll power the thing up. Where you get that 12 volts from is the question.

If you are not going to transmit, 2 amps or so would be sufficient to power it up and allow reading/writing the programming. You could use a small 12 volt battery, or a REGULATED 12 volt DC power supply that'll supply 2 amps or more.

If you just gotta hit that PTT button, then you'll need 12-15 amps if the radio is running high power (VHF High or UHF) and maybe a bit more if you are running one of the low band models.

If you have the power cord, you can use that to connect to a battery. You ~could~ use the vehicle cigarette lighter, however some of those are fused at 10 amps and it'll pop the fuse if you transmit. Vehicle cigarette lighter sockets are also a totally awesome way to get lots of RFI into your radio.

 

[JackRoberts23]

So I bought from eBay a 12V DC to AC power supply. Connects to the power plug in the back of the radio, and then connects to an outlet. Do you think that will work or do I need to buy an astron battery?

 

[nightrunner]

The only way cdm 1250 works correctly is running direct to the battery and fuse both poss. and neg. wire, have no issues with the radio

 

[JackRoberts23]

The only way cdm 1250 works correctly is running direct to the battery and fuse both poss. and neg. wire, have no issues with the radio

you say to the battery, but what battery are you talking about?

 

[a417]

The only way cdm 1250 works correctly is running direct to the battery and fuse both poss. and neg. wire, have no issues with the radio

CDMs also work correctly off bench power supplies.

you say to the battery, but what battery are you talking about?

Any battery that the commenter is insisting is the only way to run a CDM on.

 

[KevinC]

So I bought from eBay a 12V DC to AC power supply. Connects to the power plug in the back of the radio, and then connects to an outlet. Do you think that will work or do I need to buy an astron battery?

Yes.

 

[JackRoberts23]

Yes as in it will work or I need to get an astron?

Yes

 

[KevinC]

Yes as in it will work or I need to get an astron?

I was being difficult. We have no way on knowing without some sort of hint as to which power supply you bought.

 

[JackRoberts23]

An ac adapter from eBay.

 

[KevinC]

An ac adapter from eBay.

Seriously?

The below eBay search for 12 volt power supply returns over 16,000 results.

12v power supply for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for 12v power supply at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

Help us help you. Which power supply/adapter/whatever are you referring to?

 

[JackRoberts23]

This one

AC Adapter For Motorola CDM1250 CDM1550 XPR4300 CM300 GM360 PRO3100 Mobile Radio | eBay

1pc AC Adapter and 1pc Power Cord Whole Set. Safety Approval: CE, CCC, RoHS. Warranty does not include changing mind, wrong ordering and misuse. But we do not take credit card directly.

www.ebay.com

 

[mmckenna]

This one

AC Adapter For Motorola CDM1250 CDM1550 XPR4300 CM300 GM360 PRO3100 Mobile Radio | eBay

1pc AC Adapter and 1pc Power Cord Whole Set. Safety Approval: CE, CCC, RoHS. Warranty does not include changing mind, wrong ordering and misuse. But we do not take credit card directly.

www.ebay.com

No. Hell no. Just hell to-the-no.

Cancel that order, now.

If they can't give you proper specifications on a power supply, there's no way you should be plugging even an old worn out CDM like that into it.

Looking at the photo, they've carefully scratched out the specs so you can't see it. That's a HUGE red flag waving in the wind so large I can see it from across the country.

 

[KevinC]

This one

AC Adapter For Motorola CDM1250 CDM1550 XPR4300 CM300 GM360 PRO3100 Mobile Radio | eBay

1pc AC Adapter and 1pc Power Cord Whole Set. Safety Approval: CE, CCC, RoHS. Warranty does not include changing mind, wrong ordering and misuse. But we do not take credit card directly.

www.ebay.com

That device lists no spec for its current rating so it's impossible to tell.

 

[prcguy]

This one

AC Adapter For Motorola CDM1250 CDM1550 XPR4300 CM300 GM360 PRO3100 Mobile Radio | eBay

1pc AC Adapter and 1pc Power Cord Whole Set. Safety Approval: CE, CCC, RoHS. Warranty does not include changing mind, wrong ordering and misuse. But we do not take credit card directly.

www.ebay.com

Those are good for receive or maybe transmit up to 10 watts, maybe. Max output current is about 4A on those and it would be my last choice to power a CDM1250.

 

[mmckenna]

The only way cdm 1250 works correctly is running direct to the battery and fuse both poss. and neg. wire, have no issues with the radio

And, no.

He's wanting to run it off 110vac.

Power it off the battery is an option, but in a mobile environment there's a couple of things:
1. You don't need to fuse the negative lead. That's a ham radio old wives tale. Most professional radios will tell you to ground it to the chassis close to the radio. Fusing the negative lead does nothing if your antenna mount is grounded or the radio mounting bracket is attached to body steel.
2. Many modern vehicles will specifically tell you NOT to wire things directly to the negative side of the battery as it will bypass the load sensing system. Even in an old vehicle, there's no reason to do that.
3. Motorola sold a cigarette lighter cord for these radios for temporary installations. Not an ideal solution, but even Motorola knew it was going to happen, so they at least sold a cord with proper sized wire/fuses.

 

[mmckenna]

Yes as in it will work or I need to get an astron?

An Astron would be a good choice. There are others, but they are going to cost more than $15.00.

Tell us what your budget is, and we can make some suggestions.

 

[JackRoberts23]

An Astron would be a good choice. There are others, but they are going to cost more than $15.00.

Tell us what your budget is, and we can make some suggestions.

Sounds good. I can go up to 50 dollars. Looking forward to hearing some other options

 

[JackRoberts23]

If I connect the wires to this power supply, would it work 100% for Rx and Tx?

Amazon.com

 

[mmckenna]

If I connect the wires to this power supply, would it work 100% for Rx and Tx?

Amazon.com

Not at high power. If you set every channel to low power, it would work. Depending what you are doing with this radio, running at high power may not be necessary. Running it at low power may do what you need, and give you time to save up for a better power supply.

But, $50 should get you a much better used power supply that will allow you to use the full capability of the radio. Buying used is always a bit sketch, but if you looked around you'd probably find what you need.

NOT saying you should by from this seller, however these Motorola power supplies will do what you need. I've got a few I keep around the shop for powering up radios:

Motorola Hpn4001b Mobile Radio Power Supply Ae210-3101 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Motorola Hpn4001b Mobile Radio Power Supply Ae210-3101 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com