[Jones]

Started installing the UHF into the Jimny today (amazing how long it takes to do simple jobs when you have to keep 1 eye on a 2 year old running around the place)

Everything is mounted, i just need to get power to the UHF unit now, i have elected to not use the crappy, short cabling that came with the unit, as i am not wiring into the 12v socket on the dash. I am going to wire direct to the battery then earth to the body, as i want to be able to use the UHF with out having to have the keys in the ignition.

Whats the best gauge wire to use, would 2 core, 3mm sheathed trailer wire be sufficient or should i run 2 separate 1 core 4mm wires? The twin core is 10 amp and the single cores are 15 amp

Either / or isn't a problem as i have both readily available. Obviously i will be running an in-line fuse (10A) close to the battery.

All advice and recommendations appreciated as wiring is not my strong point..

[Gwagensteve]

A UHF radio uses approximately no power. I think they have about a 2A fuse on them or something, and even that is more than double their normal consumption. The "crappy" cabling is more than enough.

Personally, I wouldn't wire to constant on- you will leave it on and flatten the battery eventually, but each to their own. I'd wire to An ACC circuit if it was me- like the cigarette lighter.

Steve.

[atari4x4]

Gwagensteve wrote:

A UHF radio uses approximately no power. I think they have about a 2A fuse on them or something, and even that is more than double their normal consumption. The "crappy" cabling is more than enough.

Personally, I wouldn't wire to constant on- you will leave it on and flatten the battery eventually, but each to their own. I'd wire to An ACC circuit if it was me- like the cigarette lighter.

Steve.

This

[sideways]

atari4x4 wrote:

Gwagensteve wrote:

A UHF radio uses approximately no power. I think they have about a 2A fuse on them or something, and even that is more than double their normal consumption. The "crappy" cabling is more than enough.

Personally, I wouldn't wire to constant on- you will leave it on and flatten the battery eventually, but each to their own. I'd wire to An ACC circuit if it was me- like the cigarette lighter.

Steve.

This

That.

[Jones]

See thats why i asked the question. Thanks guys.

I'm open to all advice from people with more technical knowledge than me. I cant imagine leaving the unit on, surely the backlit display would be a give away?

Anyways i'll go into the 12v socket if thats what is recommended as best. Should i earth to the body or to the negative in the 12v socket?

[Scrawny]

Either earth is fine.

Is there any point to having constant power for a UHF?

[christover1]

I left my cb on in my oll Moke one night, it frightened the crap out of me,
it was parked close to my bed room, and loud voices started in the middle of the night.

Since then have always wired to the acc circuits.

[Jones]

Excellent, thanks chaps.

This thread can be locked now

[Scrawny]

Someone else may want to comment so it can stay open

[atari4x4]

lock it, why? think someone's a bit trigger happy these days

[Jones]

i'll get back in my box and pipe down now...

[Gwagensteve]

Jones wrote:

I cant imagine leaving the unit on, surely the backlit display would be a give away?

You'd be surprised. I reckon everyone who has wired an override switch to turn off their thermo fan for water crossings has forgotten to turn it back on and overheated their car. I did the same with a manual switch for my water pumps.

Rule of thumb- if there's a way you can throw a switch and wreck/flatten/overheat/burn out something, you will.

Steve.

[Jones]

Gwagensteve wrote:

Rule of thumb- if there's a way you can throw a switch and wreck/flatten/overheat/burn out something, you will.

I have to agree with that actually!

[Carlman]

I have always wired UHF to a constant on in case of emergency, don't need keys to yell for help. As that's what I'm used to I just cast an eye to it before I leave the car

[Daleyzooker]

Always wired to constant you know when it's on and when it's off you can't forget unless it doesn't have a led screen you won't forget

[Ausuki]

Im going to install a couple of constant powered accessory sockets in the zook for camping, but they will go through one of these
http://www.kemo-electronic.de/en/Car/Mo ... 2-V-DC.php

[Gwagensteve]

As I said, each to their own. I park my car in the shed for longish periods - it might be weeks before I look at it again. My CB isn't in plain sight when I look in the vehicle so it's easy to leave on inadvertently.

Steve.

[Ausuki]

Gwagensteve wrote:

As I said, each to their own. I park my car in the shed for longish periods - it might be weeks before I look at it again. My CB isn't in plain sight when I look in the vehicle so it's easy to leave on inadvertently.

Steve.

i agree if it can be left on it will be, i have left my interior light on a few times and the buzzer has saved me from leaving on head lights more times then i can count.