Constant hot wire under dash.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Paso Robles, CA (Central Coast)
Constant hot wire under dash.
I just installed my mobile scanner, and soon my CB. Right now I use the cigerite lighter for power, but would like to get ride of the clutter, and hot wire them both under the dash.
I would like a constant hot wire, so when truck is off, power will remain. I thought obout tracking down the lighter power supply wire and tapping into that. Does anyone know of any other hot wires that I could use. and location?? Thanks.
Oh, second thought. Can you mount a CB antenna to a aluiminum(sp) tool box? Will it ground it, or does it need to be strait metal?
I would like a constant hot wire, so when truck is off, power will remain. I thought obout tracking down the lighter power supply wire and tapping into that. Does anyone know of any other hot wires that I could use. and location?? Thanks.
Oh, second thought. Can you mount a CB antenna to a aluiminum(sp) tool box? Will it ground it, or does it need to be strait metal?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Pacheco, CA
I agree with Rockledge. the power spikes of turning on and off your equipment may fry or put undue stress on any wire you may find. If you run a direct connection from the battery you willl have protected both your CB and scanner and other equipment as well.
When I installed my stereo equipment I replaced my positive battery terminal with a gold plated one that had multiple places to attach power wires to it. I think it cost only about 15 bucks.
Hey, nice pics of your truck...
When I installed my stereo equipment I replaced my positive battery terminal with a gold plated one that had multiple places to attach power wires to it. I think it cost only about 15 bucks.
Hey, nice pics of your truck...
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I have a '92 Ranger and when I installed my glow gauges and tach,I spliced them into a red/white constant hot wire that runs to the fuse box.I have a Cobra CB on it's way,but I can't decide if I want to splice it into that red/white wire again or run a hot wire from the battery.I don't want to overload anything that I can help.Should I just run a hot wire from the battery and rewire my glow gauges and tach or should I just leave well enough alone?Everything is working fine and it'll be one week since it was installed this Saturday.
Nightrain
Nightrain
Last edited by Nightrain; Oct 24, 2003 at 10:29 AM.
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From: Pacheco, CA
Run a hot wire from your battery. The guage of the wires that are already going into your cab are rated for a certain amount of voltage going through or being pulled from them.
If you get too many things on one wire, then you run the risk of heating up the wire and burning it up. Or many fuses if it is a fused wire (which it probably is).
If you get too many things on one wire, then you run the risk of heating up the wire and burning it up. Or many fuses if it is a fused wire (which it probably is).
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Connecticut
Hi cow_boy104
If you are going to run accessories and don't want all the wires, get a "gang block" installed on you firewall w/ only 1 wire going to the battery.
Find the amperage draw on the items that you have now+items that you are contemplating to install
(this is a but much but will pay off in the long run!)
As to the blocks available, that'll take some exploration into the electrical realm!
(Don't remember what's available, but know this item exhists!)
Any other feedback would be much appreciated!
______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
If you are going to run accessories and don't want all the wires, get a "gang block" installed on you firewall w/ only 1 wire going to the battery.
Find the amperage draw on the items that you have now+items that you are contemplating to install
(this is a but much but will pay off in the long run!)
As to the blocks available, that'll take some exploration into the electrical realm!
(Don't remember what's available, but know this item exhists!)
Any other feedback would be much appreciated! ______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 123
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From: Pacheco, CA
That's right Woflen... forgot about that...
You can get these blocks from any reputable car stereo install place. You'll probably spend some money, so it may pay to look a round a bit...
You can get these blocks from any reputable car stereo install place. You'll probably spend some money, so it may pay to look a round a bit...
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 413
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From: Connecticut
Hey cow_boy104
Has not been answered:
Radio or CB, it can be done! The ground is the flexable metal sheathing part of the coaxial cable, not the box...GO FOR IT!
_____________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
Has not been answered:
Oh, second thought. Can you mount a CB antenna to a aluiminum(sp) tool box? Will it ground it, or does it need to be strait metal?
_____________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Paso Robles, CA (Central Coast)
Last night, I hooked it up to the battery. Hat to lenghten the wire a tad, but worked fine. I still have yet to hook up my back up lights and CB. When done, it will be a total of 4 wires coming off the battery.
Now the question is.. is running that many wires from the battery a good idea?
Now the question is.. is running that many wires from the battery a good idea?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Hey cow_boy104,
YO! DuDE! WE answered this wiring question last night! Read the many responses! ______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
YO! DuDE! WE answered this wiring question last night! Read the many responses! ______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp
Last edited by wolfen; Oct 25, 2003 at 01:27 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
cow_boy104,
Where do you plan to mount your CB?A friend of mine wants a CB in his 2000 Ranger,but he's having a dilemma on where he wants to mount it.It looks like the only place to mount it would be on the floor somewhere.Who knows lol !Are the 2000's and the 2003's the same as far as interior goes?
Nightrain
Where do you plan to mount your CB?A friend of mine wants a CB in his 2000 Ranger,but he's having a dilemma on where he wants to mount it.It looks like the only place to mount it would be on the floor somewhere.Who knows lol !Are the 2000's and the 2003's the same as far as interior goes?
Nightrain
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Senior User
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From: Paso Robles, CA (Central Coast)
Nightrain: They are exactly the same layout. I had a 2000 before this one.
I've seen pics of where someone had one with the channel changer on the mic itself. And is was mounted inside where the jack goes along the rear wall. I'v also seen behind the center arm rest near the floor. Mounted into the seat somehow. I dont know if i;ll permently mount it, or just have it ready to put in whenever I go on lenghty trips.
Possibly inside the glove box. Theres room, and concels it when not in use.
I've seen pics of where someone had one with the channel changer on the mic itself. And is was mounted inside where the jack goes along the rear wall. I'v also seen behind the center arm rest near the floor. Mounted into the seat somehow. I dont know if i;ll permently mount it, or just have it ready to put in whenever I go on lenghty trips.
Possibly inside the glove box. Theres room, and concels it when not in use.