CB Power Wiring

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
I just picked up a CB and want to temp power with a cigarette lighter adapter until I permanently install it. I have an old adapter from a random old piece of gear. I connected it to the CB and tried it out, but no power. CB is Uniden PRO505XL. Do I need a specific adapter for power? Does this not work with any old regular adapter?
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
I just picked up a CB and want to temp power with a cigarette lighter adapter until I permanently install it. I have an old adapter from a random old piece of gear. I connected it to the CB and tried it out, but no power. CB is Uniden PRO505XL. Do I need a specific adapter for power? Does this not work with any old regular adapter?
I ran a the positive with to the fuse box and grounded it somewhere in that location also.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
I'll eventually do something like that when I permanently install everything. Right now I want to be able to take the whole unit out of the truck when not in use offroad. Was hoping the lighter option would make that possible.
 

Nissan3161

Bought an X
Location
Ohio
I got power from the lighter but it is no longer usable. I unplugged it and put spade terminals on the cb wiring and plugged them into the lighter connector. If I ever wanted to reverse it unjust have to unplug the cb and plug the lighter back in
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I used the fuse for the blower for the power source.
View attachment 7405
Why? Motors tend to induce a voltage hum into the power. You should never pull power from a motor circuit for something that produces audio.

Also, best is to run a dedicated circuit to the battery. You can ground on any piece of metal, but CBs are notorious for picking up engine rev hum. Which is why you should ground to the battery for best audio quality.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Why? Motors tend to induce a voltage hum into the power. You should never pull power from a motor circuit for something that produces audio.

Also, best is to run a dedicated circuit to the battery. You can ground on any piece of metal, but CBs are notorious for picking up engine rev hum. Which is why you should ground to the battery for best audio quality.
I'm not having any problems with a hum coming through my radio. I do agree I do need to get it on a dedicated circuit. I will most likely do it when I get around to moving the radio to a better location.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Ok, I finally installed the CB in the dash and powered it from the fuse box with a fuse tap. I have it installed just below the stereo in the second DIN position. I just need to fab some pieces to close in around it and cover the extra space. I currently have a temp magnet antenna to put out when using the CB. I'll install a permanent antenna shortly. My question, is an 18 foot antenna cable sufficient to reach from the rear passenger tail light to the CB in the dash? I'm planning to use the firestik flex cable with the fire ring. Just wondering if it will be enough cable?
 

Tay-Lo

I'm the king of junk food!
Location
Upstate SC
I didn't see it mentioned, do you have a SWR meter? It checks how much power is efficiently leaving the antenna. If its bad enough you can actually damage your radio.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
I didn't see it mentioned, do you have a SWR meter? It checks how much power is efficiently leaving the antenna. If its bad enough you can actually damage your radio.

No, I don't have one. I know that needs to be part of the process, will get one some day.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
No, I don't have one. I know that needs to be part of the process, will get one some day.
A little tip when it comes to CBs truck stops can be your friend. You can usually find meters and all the good stuff you need at them.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Hey all. Looking for info on running my CB cable from the antenna by the tailight into the truck. Can I just run it into the back over the rear hatch seal? Will shutting the hatch on it cause problems?
 
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