power for my CB
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
I found a hot-when-on wire under the dash bundled into the conduit with the PCM port. Ran the wire into a power conditioner then into my CB. I don't know why you want a switched power wire?
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
I took a volt meter and started poking the blunt cut wires in the bundle over the PCM port, and found one that's only hot when the key is turned on, I think it was blue with a colored chase on it. A friend of mine just ran a wire through the firewall and to the battery, then ran it through a power conditioner, that works too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
The 07's are different then the earlier models. The SD's with the PSD should have 4 customer access wires that run from under the dash, through the firewall, and stop near the master cylinder. You can use those if you want to hook up to the battery. As for a hot in run wire, I'll have to check where I tapped in for my gauges and get back to you.
EDIT: Here's where I tapped in. There are others under there but I'm not sure on colors. http://dieselmanor.com/diy/PSD3-gauge/image35.htm
EDIT: Here's where I tapped in. There are others under there but I'm not sure on colors. http://dieselmanor.com/diy/PSD3-gauge/image35.htm
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 381
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Claremont, NC
I tapped mine into the hot-with-key-on wire that goes to the radio and changed the fuse to 30amp. When I turn on the key the CB comes on like the radio and also turns off when the key is off. Or, I can turn it off on the front. No problems yet and it has been in for 1 year.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
I tapped mine into the hot-with-key-on wire that goes to the radio and changed the fuse to 30amp. When I turn on the key the CB comes on like the radio and also turns off when the key is off. Or, I can turn it off on the front. No problems yet and it has been in for 1 year.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
I've run my tuned up 30 watt on that wire for over a year now, no problems. But yes, the 350 watt footheater was on its own line to the battery.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
The point is not whether it will work. In normal use you're obviously drawing less than 30 amps, probably less than 20 amps (in which case you could use a 20 amp fuse). But if you have a short out on the end of a wire that was meant for a 20 amp circuit, what is going to burn out first - the 30 amp fuse or the 20 amp wire? Which would you rather have burn out?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
The point is not whether it will work. In normal use you're obviously drawing less than 30 amps, probably less than 20 amps (in which case you could use a 20 amp fuse). But if you have a short out on the end of a wire that was meant for a 20 amp circuit, what is going to burn out first - the 30 amp fuse or the 20 amp wire? Which would you rather have burn out?
...... and possibly cause a BIG FIRE????
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
Texastech - my comment above was meant for replacing the fuse with a bigger fuse. I agree with you, if you didn't change the fuse size, and it doesn't blow, there is no reason not to do it the way you did. But if you need more power than the factory fuse can supply, like your 350 watt amp, then you need to run the appropriate sized wire with fuse to the battery. Sounds like you did it right.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Claremont, NC
Like I said, no problems in a year... My CB is not a BIGUN' either. It's a new 1989 model Cobra 146GTL that was still in the original box without being opened in 20 years. I got lucky at a yard sale... All that I have done to it is add a swing kit to it and I DID check the amp draw while I was talking in the CB and had the radio on. It did not even draw 15 amps. I am only saying that it worked for me.