Author Topic: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?  (Read 6162 times)

NZ5E

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Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« on: 2013-01-09, 15:06:42 »
I am installing a Kenwood TS-480HX in my pickup, mainly for use with one of the motorized HF antennas.  I have considered including an RRC-1258MKII Control Box with the WiFi Interface in my pickup and providing internet to the Control Box with my cellphone, when stopped at a location with a good 4G signal.  Any problems with supplying power to the Control Box directly from the pickup battery/alternator that is running at a nominal voltage of 13.8 VDC?

As a side note...I built a T-bracket for the motorized HF antenna that I will be mounting near the center of the bed and at the level of the bed rails in my pickup.  I have an electric linear actuator mounted to the T-bracket that will allow me to stand the antenna up and lower it down to a near horizontal position in about 6 seconds from within the cab of my pickup.

sm2o

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Re: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« Reply #1 on: 2013-01-09, 20:50:10 »
yes upp to 18V is ok

73 de mike

NZ5E

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Re: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« Reply #2 on: 2013-01-10, 03:27:00 »
yes upp to 18V is ok

73 de mike

I should have asked my question differently...Is the fluctuating voltage, from the electrical system in a vehicle with the engine running, a problem?  In other words, does the RRC-1258MkII have enough voltage compensation to handle the fluctuating voltage of the vehicle electrical system, with the engine running?

sm2o

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Re: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« Reply #3 on: 2013-01-10, 08:05:41 »
Yes but it might reset when you start the engine, often the voltage goes down to very low values at that moment.

73 de mike

ON4AOI

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Re: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« Reply #4 on: 2013-01-10, 16:44:07 »
Mike this can probably be solved by putting a capacitor(high value) near the RRC input

Guy ON4AOI

NZ5E

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Re: Powering Control Box in a vehicle with 13.8 Vdc?
« Reply #5 on: 2013-01-11, 03:29:02 »
Mike this can probably be solved by putting a capacitor(high value) near the RRC input

Guy ON4AOI

Very much not necessary...I just appreciate the reliability and robustness of the current product ;)