Power to the Radio

[gpearston]

I am wanting to install a 2m rig in my RV. The antenna part is easy but I wanted to ask if people are using a direct connect to the battery or using a regulated power supply or what?

Am wondering if the inverter will cause a problem with the 2m rig and whether it is worth just trying it or should I expect problems and go a different way.

Thanks

[W4MBG]

run heavy-gauge wire from the chassis battery (hot and ground) to the radio. fuse both leads at the battery. use heavy-duty fuses and fuse holders. you will be drawing a lot of current whenever you transmit, and a cheap plastic fuse holder will melt. either ceramic or phenolic is ok. look in the radio manual for the correct wire size.

[gpearston]

Andrew - thanks, I appreciate the input. I will do exactly what you recommended. I was planning on using 20 amp car fuse holders but now I think I will use the heavy duty holders that mount to a surface.

Thanks

[gpearston]

Found a great source for heavy gauge wire that is bonded for both sides (pos/neg). Marine stores carry heavy duty dual wire (2 runs bonded together) for powering fishing boat loads. Here in Rapid City, South Dakota the options for radio supply is limited so this worked out well. Radio Shack helped with the HD fuse holders, though they were a little proud of them....

[pa0gri]

I run awg 10 (2 wires in a sleve) from the household battery to the Ft897.
Fuse at the battery and Anderson 50Amp connectors near the set.
There the cable splits into the 6 connector for the set and plugs for additional equipment(tnc + laptop).
Atas 100 on the ladder (side).
I don't like to run "things" off of the chassis battery - too much of a change to drain it.

[wa8yxm]

Does not matter if you choose chassis or house batteries,, (I used house) on the 2mtr/70cm rig (As well as the CBs) in the cockpit area I got a Rig Runner and hooked it up to the house batteries. The Rig-Runner (West Mountain Radio) has several pair of ANDERSON POWER POLES. That way I can plug in different radios and even other stuff, quite easily.

On the "MAIN" radio (kenwood TS-2000) I hard wired it direct to the house fuse panel. (Heck there is not six feet from the radio to the panel, perhaps six as the wire travels)