CB Dirct to battery

How could I run a relay and/or solenoid to prevent my CB radio from draining the battery in the event I forget to turn it off. It is run direct to the battery so it is always "hot". looking for ideas suggestions with diagrams appreciated. I used #4 wire from battery to CB. I know with the competing voices in my head I am bound to leave it on. Need heavy duty stuff as this radio draws a lot of amps/volts. Thanks.

 

What radio do you have that draws a lot of amps? It should only be a few amps unless you have a built in amp, and even then your're really only using serious power when you're transmiting. Your battery will be fine even if you left the radio on for several days, it doesn't draw much current. Someone did install a lighted switch for their CB that I thought was a good idea. That way when you exited the truck you would see the lighted switch and remember to turn it off.

 

Depending on the CB's draw, run a relay from an add-a-fuse that's only hot when the ignition is hot and make that trigger a relay. That way the CB will lose power when the truck is turned off. If you need help finding a circuit that's only hot when the ignition is hot, let me know, I found a few on my truck and it's fairly simple with a test light. Just make sure the relay can handle the draw from your CB. I believe most common relays are rated for 30 amps.

 

Not quite what he's looking for me thinks.

For what you want, I believe that you'll need a timer of some sort that starts when the ignition lead goes cold, then cuts the power when the timer runs out. I don't think this is a small thing to get done....

 

So you mean he wants it hot whenever the engine is on and on a time delay shut off when the engine is off? The two solutions (yours and mine) are essentially the same except for mine will cut power the second the truck is shut off (unless the key is put back to the 'on' position) and yours will give you a certain amount of time to talk when the truck is shut off before cutting power.

OP, we need clarification, do you want the CB to function without the truck running?

 

I ran a hot leg from the battery to a small fuse block i picked up from Autozone. I put the block behind the pass. side front kick plate. That way the fuse block always has power but the devices are still protected. I used mine for the 10 disc changer, but the block has 6 fuse spots so when i put my cb in for road trips or trail rides i can just plug it in easy.

Edit: re read the post i don't think this is what you are looking for.

 

I believe the OP has the radio direct wired to the battery for performance. Wiring to the fuse box can create alot of noise from other workings of the vehicle (fuel pump, alternator etc.)

 

I didn't say to wire it to the fuse box... I said interrupt the power feed with a relay.

 

You would still be tapped into the fuse box however and getting all of that backround noise. The battery acts as filter, wiring anywhere else and you will hear interference.

 

Want the radio to shut off with truck. Radio draws 200 amps when transmitting galaxy radio.

 

Just run ur power wire to you acc fuse under dash on driverside ... I have no noise make sure you have a solid ground and a good tune and you'll be fine and will turn off with truck

 

You will need a solenoid, a relay is too small. You need to find a fuse under your hood that gets power when the truck is in ignition. Then, using a fuse tap, run that wire to the solenoid.

You should absolutely have this 4 gauge on a breaker, or at least a Maxi Fuse, if you don't want your truck to end up a car fire.

I hope your antenna was tuned wattmetered before you put 2,000 watts through it. What are you running?

 

200 amps?! Jeebus Christ!! You're going to need an extra battery and heavy duty alternator for that much power. I'm guessing you running an amp as well, no way a radio alone will draw that much power.

 

Here is a diagram of how you should wire the solenoid.

Do you have 4gauge terminals and crimping tools? how are you connecting it to the battery?

If you drilled the firewall for the 4gauge, make sure you use a rubber or plastic grommet around the hole. Then caulk the hole so no water can get in the cab.

 

I agree

 

Craig, is it possible that you have your watts and amps mixed? An 200 watt linear amp would draw approximately 17 amps at 12 VDC which will give low voltage drop when using #4 AWG wire for less than 10 feet. For a ham radio installation, I would use an in-line 30 amp fuse if connected directly to the battery terminal to protect the vehicle and insurance coverage and if necessary a filter or cap at the radio to reduce the RFI/EMI. I would energize the coil of a DC relay from the Accessory position of the Ignition switch and use relay contacts that are rated at least 50 amps.

 

x2, 200 Amps is a HUGE draw and it's highly unlikely that a CB radio has that kind of draw.

 

i have both my CB radio and 2M radios directly into my battery..and on occasion i have left at least one of them on overnight..they both use very little power while just sitting there at idle you shouldnt have to worry about the CB draining the battery

 

200 amps is more than double the capacity of 4ga wire.

http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity

80% rule... load no more than 80% of the fuse rating, fuse rating no more than 80% of the wire rating.
200a load = 250a fuse = 313a conductor.

Triple-ought cable and make sure it's got air circulation.

 

If your dedicating "Talk" time with the truck off...run a second battery just for that purpose.....Running any "heater" will draw heavy BUT DAM.. that 200 is way up there....'LIL Fire in Your Wire.....

SKIP land should "wake up" when you speak BUT the Galaxy is putting what, 1-2 into the Heater, then swinging up???

And if you just have a Galaxy by itself, the fans to cool it will draw heavy amps too....your middle console must look like a cruisers ....

If your going to "RUN" like that full time you might invest in "Welding Cable",check out a few "Mauler build " sites...would be a shame to cut a corner on that investment $$$ to hear it go ...." POP' ,Fizzle, BURN.."