88redyota4x4

I got a 88 yota pickup, and a free cobra 19-dx cb radio given to me from a good friend, and i was looking for ways to power it up, i took apart the cover that goes over the radio cluster, and i had an idea, since the cigarette lighter port is controlled from the ignition key, can i splice the cb radio radio positive and negative wires to the cigarette lighter port positive and negative wires, that way every time the ignition is off the power to the cb radio is cut off, and when its on the cb radio has power, so on and so fourth, any comments would be appreciated

Bridger5228

That would work just fine, but may overload the circuit and blow ur fuse every now and again. The right way to do it is to buy a "fuse tap" from an auto parts store. It plugs in to one on ur fuse ports to steal power from the main fuse block(batt power)and the existing fuse also gets plugged in and is unaffected. Did that make sense?

Bridger5228

Here's a pic. These bad boys are like 5 bucks.

88redyota4x4

Ohh ok i got yah, just plug the tap in to the fuse location and, then plug the fuse that originally went in that location into the tap, and run the wire from the cb into the tap, whats a good fuse location that will turn the power off to the cb when the ignition is off, thanks

1989toy4wd

I just ran mine to an aftermarket fuse box it has power all the time, just remember to shut if off...hahaha

Any circuits in the passenger compartment fuse block will have ignition on power only! So any of those will work.

Teuf

I did the same sort of, just pushed CB power wire into an unused fuse, worked good. That fuse tap looks good, thanks 1989toy.

2DoorRunner

I think i know what you mean. Correct me if im wrong.
I did the exact same thing. But i just used an inline fuse after splicing the cb into the cig lighter. Works like a charm, and engine noise isnt too bad.
And you dont need to splice in the ground. Jus ground it to your dash. I used the screw that holds the glovebox to the dash frame(or whatever you want to call it).

I can get pictures if needed.

88redyota4x4

yeah man pics would be awesome, thanks, ohh and what do u mean about engine noise, and tomorrow ill post some pics of the place im thinking on mounting it , so you all can see and maybe give some tips

2DoorRunner

I just ran out and took pictures, sorry they arnt very good. Its pitch black outside, and i couldnt get to where i spliced them together. Yes its held in place by buisiness cards

The only thing i took this picture for is so you can see how/where i mounted it. I had to cut out the back of the ashtray area. And the inline fuse. Although you should use the other kind of fuses. I guess they are easier to replace. This one just came with the cb.

2DoorRunner

Engine noise is interference with the electricity everythime your spark plugs fire. So you get more noise the higher your rpms. This can be fixed by turning up the squelch, but you lose range when doing that.
I dont mind though, i only use it to communicate when close to other people, like a convoy or something.

I would take a video, but i dont have an antenna hooked up right now.

88redyota4x4

alright man i appreciate it, you've been a big help

2DoorRunner

np, let me know if you need any better pictures or anything else.

kayakken

hooking to the batt direct is the only way to reduce RFI (radio freq interfrence)
there is a way to hook up a relay to the acc side of your switch
then to your batt and cb
thats the way I have my ham radio hooked up
I also cut the pannel just below the the ashtray there is nothing behind it
in my 87 & 84 I will tuck it in the box below the radio

Ken kd7fye

88redyota4x4

anybody got a pic of 88 or later, with the cb mounted in the ashtray slot above the radio, thats where i want to mount it in, i dont smoke so i dont need the ashtray, and i want to keep the compartment space below the radio open to put spare change and what not in, thanks

prorunner

From Schuck's I picked up a noise reducer, it goes in between the power source and the cb power, and it has a ground. It didn't totally clear it up but it cleared up about half of it. The noise my gfs truck was getting was horrible, almost making the cb seem useless.
After that part it's alot more manageable.

habanero

If it matters to you, with an 'L' adapter between cb and coax you may be able to get the cb a little further back into the dash.

2DoorRunner

Yeah when i get the chance im going to try to find something like that. As you can see the coax cable is getting creased from being smashed in there.

Irish Death

I know they have them at the truck city in fife for like $7ish 2Door...

2DoorRunner

Sweet thanks man.

blueyota38

One suggestion though real quick! if you really want to have fun with your cb you need to install a linear power source. I run 150 extra watts to my cobra so im poppin out 154 total watts. I can on a day with limited radio signals have a conversation with someone in florida for a good while! Jus my 2 cent.