Where to get power for CB?

[eddomak]

Hi All,

I am about to attempt self-installation of a Uniden UH7760NB (http://www.uniden.com.au/australia/p_uh7760nb_index.asp) CB radio and have seen several threads on installation locations and antenna mounts.

But can I ask, where are you tapping the power into? I am thinking of mounting the unit on top of the metal box under the driver's seat, in which case the antenna mount will be on roof at rear near the tailgate.

Alternatively I would consider mounting under the dash somewhere, with the antenna off a bracket to the side of the bonnet. The downside to this one for me is that 99% of the time I will remove the antenna and bracket for around town use.

Thanks in advance for your help & advice.

[DiscoWeb]

eddomack,

I have mine under the seat and whilst I had it installed for me the power was picked up from the wires serving the 12v socket at the rear of the arm rest.

I am sure one of the threads gives some great detail on this either directly or via a link to the Disco3UK site.

I purchased a bracket that fits to the bonnet hinge bolts, takes about 2 mins to fit and is very unobtrusive and easy to cable to.

Can not remember the site but some guy in Mittagong, NSW knocks them up and I run a little stubby aerial for around town and a larger one when travelling.

Good luck with the install and I am sure someone with a lot more technical knowledge will give you more detailed advise soon.

Regards,

George

[eddomak]

Thanks for that - I will probably pick power up from the same location (rear cigar lighter) as well then.

Yes the bracket (from Mittagong) that you are talking about is at - Aerial Bracket (http://www.labtronx.com.au/aerial-bracket.htm) for $66 shipped.

[Tombie]

Problem - Power from there turns off :)

If you are at camp and want to monitor the radio (eg kids have Handhelds or mates will be arriving soon etc etc) then you wont be able to.

Also, if the vehicle has an issue and wont power up you wont be able to call out on the radio for assistance :(

Run a power cable from under the seat, push it up under the console towards the front, up, under the dash - push through the grommet where the clutch would go and then wire to battery (+ve only, earth to an earth bolt nearby battery).

This is really the only, professional way to do it, as the battery also acts as a filter for RF interference.

You can leave a std UHF on for days without flattening a battery.

I had to run mine direct - no choice - mines commercial and pulls 10+amp when it kicks in on Tx... On Rx/Scan it is left on for over a week without issue.

[Ashes]

As per Tombie's suggestion.

Worthwhile considering or planning for future power needs as well so a good capacity cable from the engine bay to the cabin doesn't hurt instead of multiple small cables.

[Geedublya]

I have the same unit mounted under the dash on the drivers side. I run it of my second battery and have the antenna mounted on the ARB bar.
I have a click on mount for my mobile phone and the handset hangs of that.

[mottzone]

How do you run the aerial through to the engine bay? I have the Traxide kit which uses the hole in the driver's footwell.

it was a struggle to get that through and I doubt that I could pass more wire through the same hole.

[eddomak]

Run a power cable from under the seat, push it up under the console towards the front, up, under the dash - push through the grommet where the clutch would go and then wire to battery (+ve only, earth to an earth bolt nearby battery).


Thanks heaps Tombie, I'll definitely consider that option as well. The instructions say that the negative should go to a negative and I know that the car is negatively earthed, so does that mean that I can put the ngative wire to an earthing point and it would be the same as to the negative terminal?

[eddomak]

I had a quick look tonight and can't quite figure out where the other (engine bay) side of the grommet is? Is that the grommet that is visible when the driver's side "battery box" is opened up? (Picture attached)? Also is there then a convenient accessible wiring route to follow to get to the battery? I am not that good at crawling around under cars etc.

Also would it do the same job if I tapped into the permanent live positive that is in fusebox 41 (where people are getting power for reverse cameras and Blackvues)?

[Basil135]

Thanks heaps Tombie, I'll definitely consider that option as well. The instructions say that the negative should go to a negative and I know that the car is negatively earthed, so does that mean that I can put the ngative wire to an earthing point and it would be the same as to the negative terminal?

I can help you with this point.

Yes, you are right. There will be an earth lug, being -ve (negative) near the battery.

Follow the black negative wire from the battery, and you will find where it attaches to the body somewhere. This is your neg, negative, -ve or black attachment point.

Can't help with the grommet, dont have a D4 to go look at... well, not a full size one, anyway... LOL

[Disco4pilot]

Hi Eddomak

That is the grommet that I ran my wiring for my UHF and also my traxide wiring for power to the rear. If you take the grommet out and then cut a hole in the middle and a slit in the side you can fit them all through. It just takes a bit of pushing to get the grommet back in place when finished. I sprayed a bit of WD40 and it all went back in. I have the same antenna and mount that Discoweb has with power from my AUX battery.

If you tape the wire to a Philips head screw driver you can push it through the insulation on the other side of the grommet. You then just reach up under the dash and pull the wires through. You can then feed the wires to where you want to install the UHF.

In the D4 and 3 (and a lot of modern cars) you can't wire anything directly to the negative terminal as there is a shunt installed. I think it measures current flow or something. Doesn't really mater what it does but if you bypass it by connecting something directly to the negative terminal rather than an earth stud you will damage it.

Have fun

Pete

[irondoc]

isn't that the steering column rubber/grommet? there's another free grommet above it and to the right. but that is not the one that drivesafe recommends for the traxide wiring....... that is a bit harder to get to

cheers
lucas