Power port

[kc8rak]

Any advice on using a power port to power a 2 meter radio? I have used one for 6 yrs on my van. Power setting never over 10 watts. never had a issue. I drive 8 hrs a day for work. Hate to damage my work PT Cruizer. Thanks for any advice.

 

[w2wml]

I personally do not like the idea of using the power port. I would however check the amp rating first. Stay on low power. You would probably blow a fuse before anything else happens. I have done it with no problems, but it makes me nervous. I also believe you will get noise if the ground is not like it should be. Of course there is always screwing up your radio. When i do an install, I wire directly to the battery with inline fuses and a damn good ground. Just my two cents. Bill

 

[AK9R]

I used the power port on a Ford Explorer for over a year. Worked fine as long as I stayed at 10 watts or less. I did use 50 watts a few times. Didn't blow any fuses and the voltage drop at that current draw was not so much as to cause a problem for the radio. However, I did melt the lighter plug I was using and eventually lost contact with the power port it was plugged into.

 

[n8emr]

Depends on the power port. Most are 20amps, so you can get over 200watts out. WHile not perfect I have run a icom 706 off one without issue. Can run psk or have long winded talks but for typcial chit chat it was fine. Your best bet is to do it right. Run power to the battery, Your PT should have a number of ways to get power from the batt tot he rig. If you cant do it take it to an audio shop or radio shop to get the cords routed.properly. If all your doing is power shouldnt cost you over $50.

 

[kb0nly]

I have a 02 PT, you can see my install on my webpage but i didn't take any snapshots of the power connection underhood.

The power outlet up front, if it has the option of the accessory power outlet on the switch panel is fused for 20 amps but i looked at the wiring feeding that, its maybe 16awg, pretty small.

The other power outlet by the cupholders is fused along with the rear power outlet, 20 amp fuse for both, and its the same light gauge wire. I would get a tapa fuse and go to the fuse panel, its right there on the lower left of the dash and you can run the power wire across the dash over to the cupholders area or wherever the radio will sit. If you need more current than say 15 amps, shouldnt with even my FT-2800M only needing less than 9 amps at 60w, i would go to the battery stud in the underhood fuse panel, thats where i ran my FT-7800 off of.

 

[kc8rak]

Your set up looks really good. Mine is a work car so i cant do anything really to the car..

 

[kb0nly]

Thanks!

I realize its a work car, so when it comes to the power i would go with either a fuse tap plugged into the panel or just run it off the power outlet up front. You should actually be ok depending on the radio. You never mentioned which model you were using. But regardless of model check it with an ammeter and see what it draws at the different power settings. I know with a few of the current models you can get away with it no worries, but i wouldn't think of drawing more than 10 amps for any length of time from the power outlet in most vehicles these days.

Why they will fuse them at 20 amps with such light wire is beyond me.. I actually have taken out the 20 amp fuses and put in 10 amp fuses. About the only thing i plug in is a cell phone or my ipod, maybe a dvd player for the kids.