power accessories limits
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Nixa, Missouri
power accessories limits
I will taking a long trip in September and need to have some idea how many devices can be plugged into the power point/lighter.
I plan to use (1) elec. cooler (2) gps (3) iPod (4) CB radio. Will the use of all of these devices overload the power sockets? I will have three devices plugged onto either the power/point or lighter socket. One device into the other.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I plan to use (1) elec. cooler (2) gps (3) iPod (4) CB radio. Will the use of all of these devices overload the power sockets? I will have three devices plugged onto either the power/point or lighter socket. One device into the other.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 307
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From: South Onondaga, NY
accessories
I would take a look at the amp draw of each device before making that decision. The electric cooler would probably have the highest amp draw (guess), or possibly the CB (during transmit). I know from experience that the GPS will draw minimal amperage. This being said, I would probably run the cooler on it own power point. Why not run the GPS on battery? Most GPS will provide approx. 15 hrs run time on the batteries (depending on what you run for GPS), plus the average "storage" of GPS units once the batteries have gone dead is multiple years.
Just my $0.02....
2nd thought....if you are at least semi-competent in 12VDC wiring, get a multi point outlet and wire it to one of your ignition/access fuses under the dash. These fuses are made to run aftermarket accessories, and are fused off relays from the ignition, therefore not drawing power unless the ignition is in the on/run position.....saves you from dead batteries if you "forget" to unplug everything after driving all day! (I have NUMEROUS access. based out of one of these fuses and it works excellent).
Just my $0.02....
2nd thought....if you are at least semi-competent in 12VDC wiring, get a multi point outlet and wire it to one of your ignition/access fuses under the dash. These fuses are made to run aftermarket accessories, and are fused off relays from the ignition, therefore not drawing power unless the ignition is in the on/run position.....saves you from dead batteries if you "forget" to unplug everything after driving all day! (I have NUMEROUS access. based out of one of these fuses and it works excellent).
Last edited by sofdchief; Jul 27, 2006 at 01:49 PM. Reason: thought of something else...
Posting Guru
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The GPS and iPod will run about 1A each. CB is going to be 2.5A or so (unless you're running illegal power). The electric cooler would be the big issue - I'd like to know how much power it really pulls.
You'd probably be safe with the cooler run to its own port and the other three devices split off of the other plug. However, cigarette lighter plugs in general suck. This might be a good time to put some real +12V wiring and connectors in, especially if you plan to keep the truck for awhile.
You'd probably be safe with the cooler run to its own port and the other three devices split off of the other plug. However, cigarette lighter plugs in general suck. This might be a good time to put some real +12V wiring and connectors in, especially if you plan to keep the truck for awhile.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34
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From: Nixa, Missouri
Thanks for the response. Your advice is pretty much what I had planned, that is run the cooler on its own power point. By the way the cooler draws 3.5 amps and has a 10 amp in line fuse. I think the CB will be ok since I primarily intend to use it to monitor traffic conditions; don't really plan to do much talking on it.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by phydough
tvsjr,
It isn't illeagal power, it's "peak tuned". he-he, not counting an amp of course, but we wouln't do that now would we....?
It isn't illeagal power, it's "peak tuned". he-he, not counting an amp of course, but we wouln't do that now would we....?
Just a word of caution - the first Notice of Apparent Liability (NLA) from the FCC usually has an $11K price tag attached. You might want to consider that when you're getting that radio "peaked".
I won't even get started on the local CB shop and their "golden screwdriver".
