FT-7800R Install Question

[KB3DSC]

I just purchased a 2008 Nissan Xterra and removed the ft-7800r from my other vehicle. I installed an on the glass antenna on the read side window. In the trunk area of the vehicle is a 10 amp cigarette plug. My question is can I run the FT-7800R from the DC cigarette plug? or do I need to run it through the battery? I'd much rather use a lot less wiring and not need to take the vehicle apart to install it. The radio specs say it draws 8.5 amps TX power so I figured it would be ok, but just wanted to check with others to see what they thought.

Thanks

Brian

[kc8ahn]

Its better to run from the battery, but you can run from the power port, but I would suggest not using high power doing so.

[ai4ep]

IMHO always get power directly from the battery.

Those POWER POINT areas are NOT intended to be used for that long a duration, or that often.

The extra time it takes to connect the power wires DIRECTLY to the battery ( with an extra fuse NEAR the battery for the + and the - will prove to be worth the effort.

Do it right the first time.

AI4EP (Robert) :)

[n4bfd]

Agreed, do it right and hook it to the battery. I'd ditch the on glass antenna too, but you gotta do what you gotta do I guess.

[N2RJ]

You can use it, I don't see the big deal.

The only thing is you effectively give up your power port when using the radio.

[WB2WIK]

You can use it, I don't see the big deal.

The only thing is you effectively give up your power port when using the radio.

::I agree. The "power" ports, unlike cigarette lighter jacks, are actually there to provide power to electronic appliances and not cigarette lighters. The four of them in my Town & Country van are wired up with #14AWG copper wire and fused at 20A, and will really deliver about 15A each without overheating or developing excessive voltage drop (I loaded one all the way in the back of the van with a 120W halogen spotlight drawing 10A and the voltage was still 12.9V at the lamp with the engine running). They are for computers, entertainment systems, etc. At 8.5A maximum, you'll probably be okay.

If not, go to the battery!

[n9vo]

I agree with last two about power ports. However, the original poster said "cigarette plug". Posters after him starting using the term power port. Is he talking about a lighter port or a power port???? Unless we know for sure, he could have a problem. Why not error on the safe side? Lighter ports normally not wired as heavily.

[WB2WIK]

I agree with last two about power ports. However, the original poster said "cigarette plug". Posters after him starting using the term power port. Is he talking about a lighter port or a power port???? Unless we know for sure, he could have a problem. Why not error on the safe side? Lighter ports normally not wired as heavily.

::He said it's in the trunk! That wouldn't be a cigarette lighter jack. Those are only up front.

[N7RJD]

::He said it's in the trunk! That wouldn't be a cigarette lighter jack. Those are only up front.

What? You don't think the car companies might think ahead and provide a convenience for those you might lock in the trunk? :D

[n9vo]

What? You don't think the car companies might think ahead and provide a convenience for those you might lock in the trunk? :D

Actually it was a Xterra. Do they even have a trunk or is it a suv with rear cargo area. In either case it probably is a power port.

[kc8ahn]

OOPS, I used the wrong term, I ment power port. My Jeep Grand Cherokee and a cig. lighter side by side. The difference between the 2, is that one has power fulltime, the other only when it is running. I use the cig. lighter plug on mine because it shuts off when the Jeep is off.

[k0cmh]

My experience with running radios from the cig lighter type power ports is that the small surface of the center conductor of the plug is often to small to handle the 8 -11 amps most rigs draw on high power setting. I have a friend who melted his plug and burnt the apholstry in his SUV because the center pin got to hot.

I had the same problem with my own 2 meter rig, that drew 8 amps on 50 watts. Even though I made my own plug with 12 ga. stranded wire, the center pin would get hot when transmitting on 50 watts.

If you want to use the power port, I suggest you may look at running 12 ga wire directly to the connectors on the back of a power port jack. Use that to get power to the rig.

But I have to agree with the others here -- the best method is to go directly to the battery, with fuses as close to the battery terminals as possible.