iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
Hi! Im installing a cb radio in my 1990 xj, and was wondering how I get power? what should i tap into? thanks.
-
Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.
CB Radio
- Thread starter iluvmyjeep
- Start date
poorboy_616
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
I tapped into my cigar lighter power. I used a butt connector and ran both wires in and out each side. WIth the additional CB power from one side....
As for my ground, behind the drivers side kick panel (the panel that covers the Hood realease handle) is one of the dash ground screws, I attached my ground there.....
Here is where it's mounted...
As for my ground, behind the drivers side kick panel (the panel that covers the Hood realease handle) is one of the dash ground screws, I attached my ground there.....
Here is where it's mounted...
stewie
NAXJA Forum User
x2 on the cig lighter for power. eventually i plan on adding a power supply to the inside of the xj run off a relay hooked up to the cig lighter (to come on with key on) for the cb and some other items, but that is a little down the road. my cb is mounted on the pass side of the center consol
iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
I like the idea, but doesnt the cig lighter only give you power when you push the cigarete lighter in?
jeep ride
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- West Virginia 25064
Run both power and ground wires straight to your battery is the best method.
iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
they arent long enough perhaps I should look at my wiring diagram.:badpc:jeep ride said:
aperwork
stewie
NAXJA Forum User
cig lighter has power when ever the key is on ie key to accessory or ignition on. running the power to the batt directly will produce a cleanner power to the radio in theroy. but it also has the increased chance of draining the batt when the radio is left on. thats why i initially ran the power from the cig lighter (on when key is in the on possition) and in the future i plan on having the best of both worlds- a clean source of power from the batt and on when key on- using a relay keyed off the cig lighter.
iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
so do i just unplug the cig lighter, figure out which ones ground and which ones power, then figure the same on my cb's wires, and use butt connectors?
poorboy_616
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
The center wire for the cigar lighter is B+, the outside spade terminal is ground.
If you use the cigar lighter power, be sure BOTH B+ wires are in the butt connector at each end. If not, than it will only work in either Run or Acc, not both.
Also, don't forget to run the CB B+ wire out one of the ends of the cigar power connector.
A far better ground can be had by using the chassis ground behind the left side kick panel. Remove the lower door trim, and the two screws that hokd the kick panel in place. wiggle it out over the hood release handle and there is the ground stud. There is a bunch of other grounds attached to it.
I tried using the cigar lighter ground and ny radio didn't like it. Just run the wire to the chassis ground and use it.
If you use the cigar lighter power, be sure BOTH B+ wires are in the butt connector at each end. If not, than it will only work in either Run or Acc, not both.
Also, don't forget to run the CB B+ wire out one of the ends of the cigar power connector.
A far better ground can be had by using the chassis ground behind the left side kick panel. Remove the lower door trim, and the two screws that hokd the kick panel in place. wiggle it out over the hood release handle and there is the ground stud. There is a bunch of other grounds attached to it.
I tried using the cigar lighter ground and ny radio didn't like it. Just run the wire to the chassis ground and use it.
iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
I dont know what you mean by b+ wires.
poorboy_616
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
B+ is the power wire.
I refer to the ground wire as either ground, earth or common....(sometimes just, the black wire that goes somewhere....)
Sorry, elctrician-ese there.....
To wire the radio, run a wire from it, to the lighter butt conectors. If you don't ever intend on using the cigar lighter, you could just leave it's wire out completely and slide the radio wire in the empty end of the connector.
My power wire is about 18" inches long and tucked up under the dash.
Running my radio off the lighter prevents me from leaving it on and killing my battery...
And yes, it only works in accesory or run.
I refer to the ground wire as either ground, earth or common....(sometimes just, the black wire that goes somewhere....)
Sorry, elctrician-ese there.....
To wire the radio, run a wire from it, to the lighter butt conectors. If you don't ever intend on using the cigar lighter, you could just leave it's wire out completely and slide the radio wire in the empty end of the connector.
My power wire is about 18" inches long and tucked up under the dash.
Running my radio off the lighter prevents me from leaving it on and killing my battery...
And yes, it only works in accesory or run.
iluvmyjeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Mexico
cool, that helps, I dont ever plan on using the lighter so I guess Ill come up with something cool to take its placepoorboy_616 said:
GrimmJeeper
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gardena, CA
its better to tap into a switched power souce in the fuse block than to use the cig lighter power, its a very low amp circuit and easy to overload. IIRC there were 3 unused ports in the fuse block that are switched on and off with the key on mine. get a circuit tester ot test light and tap each one with the key on till you find one that is only on when the key is on. then put a 1/4 spade terminal in the hot side and run it to a fuse, then your CB.
