Hi, I need to install a cb/pa into my 1990 Chevy Van. I know this is not the chevy forum, but this was the best place (Seems to me) to ask for help on wiring a cb. I have a Cobra 29 that I would like to use. This is my first car, and I know next to nothing about fuses. I hear you can just plug it right into the fuse box? Which slot do I put it in? And secondly, what's the smallest antenna I can use for it? Thanks a bunch

 

bill,

look in the electrical subforum of the tech section

bob

 

Thanks, but I really just need a clean cut explanation or link or something. One guy used a power box and one didn't. Do I need one? One guy plugged into the windshield wiper fuse, can he still use his windshield wipers...

 

Read this

http://www.can4x4.com/articles/comcorner/index.htm

all the info you will ever need in regards to CB's

Best to get the power straight from the battery

 

Use any power supply you want, CB only needs an amp or two of current. Which source to use depends on how/when you want the radio to operate. For example, do you want it to only run when the engine is going, or in the ACC position or all the time? One option is to tap off your AM/FM radio power feed or off the cigaretter lighter. I prefer to run a CB off a dedicated line off the battery (properly fused of course). This way the power is "quieter" and you can have the CB on when the vehicle is off, which I do off-road, when waiting in camp for late comers to arrive.

Check out http://www.firestik.com/ for lots of good CB installation information.

 

Thanks again guys, I'm gonna go check out those links now. I decided I want to run it through the fuse box definately, just not quite sure how to do it. I want to be able to use it while the cars off too. Thanks

 

If going from the fuse box, get yourself a volt meter or test light and probe around and see if there are any unused fuse slots that have constant power on them. If so, tap into one of them and go. Depending on the type of fuse, you can often find crimp-on terminals to work with the fuse box. Here is an example of what I did for my Volkswagen:



It is a diesel, so there are boat loads of empty fuse slots. The red and white wires run off to feed something I added on.

 

Okay, so I'm going to buy some fuses (5 amp) and check to see if there's some free power in any of the slots. Is it as simple as this?

 

I would probably reverse those steps, check out what you have, power-wise, first. Then figure out what you need to get the power from there to the radio.

 

Ohhh, okay. And if anyone is familiar with the Cobra 29, do you know what fuse I should use? I figured I'd be safe with 5. My brother's an electrician, so I'll have him take a look at it too. Thanks

 

Check the back of the CB, the owner's manual or see if there is an on-line installation guide on Cobra's web site. They would have the fuse rating to use, I think many CBs are 1A - 3A or so. on the fuse.