VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

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Jaco Versfeld
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VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by Jaco Versfeld »

My brother tells me that on a recent trip (mission) the guys issued them with VHF radios which they then plugged into the cigarette lighter. I thought that maybe they used 5W units. Anyhow, can you run a 25W Radio from the cigarette lighter, or do you need proper cabling?

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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by CasKru »

Jaco AFAIK you need more than that. A quick way you would be able to tell is if you plug it in and press the Trx button. If the light on the unit dims noticeable the cigarette lighter will not suffice m2cw
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by OOOOMS »

Jaco, yes possible but not advisable. There are mega Amps processed when using a unit when transmitting and recieving.

I would think they do this as a temp solution. Work's but you will loose range and clarity and some other things FD will tell us about :wink:
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by Family_Dog »

It's like witchcraft. You don't do it!

Cigarette lighters are designed to produce lots of amps for very short periods and are totally unsuitable for constant heavy loads. Usually the electrical contacts are tarnished, whether with tobacco ash or whatever. Then, when the car is in motion over rough terrain the possibility of a good electrical contact is difficult to maintain. In severe cases of arcing, damage can be done to the radio.

Having said all this, the convenience factor does weigh heavily!


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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by Johan Kriel »

Last week-end on a 4x4 trip I used a 50 W VHF radio from the lighter plug. It works, but each time you switch off the engine the radio also is dead, and each time you have to reselect the channel.
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by OOOOMS »

As a matter of interest, how much amps used when japping on a standard VHF in car radio?
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by CasKru »

OOOOMS wrote:As a matter of interest, how much amps used when japping on a standard VHF in car radio?
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by OOOOMS »

Then don't reply china.....man :wink:
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by CasKru »

OOOOMS wrote:Then don't reply china.....man :wink:
Sorry... ek dog jy wag vir my antwoord.... :twisted: :twisted:
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by Nitram »

Mark i seem to recall about 8amps when you transmit(might differ between different makes),if the cables are too thin the radio will also cut out when you try to transmit.
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by OOOOMS »

OK waiting......china.... :!:
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by Family_Dog »

Nitram wrote:Mark i seem to recall about 8amps when you transmit(might differ between different makes),if the cables are too thin the radio will also cut out when you try to transmit.

That's correct, and the wired connection to the cigarette lighter plug is usually also flimsy, more so on older cars by now, and the connection then heats up when current is drawn by the transmitting radio. Current consumption on Transmit varies between 4.5 - 8A for the normal 25 - 50W radio, but considerably more for HF radios. Plugging an inverter, even a fairly small one of 150W, into a cigarette lighter is also a no-no.


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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by OOOOMS »

between 4.5 - 8A
Nitram wrote:Mark i seem to recall about 8amps when you transmit(might differ between different makes),if the cables are too thin the radio will also cut out when you try to transmit.
Tx Eric and Martin :thumbup:

Thats a lot and if your vehicle is switched off, will kill the battery in no time, correct?
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by ChrisF »

Family_Dog wrote:
Nitram wrote:Mark i seem to recall about 8amps when you transmit(might differ between different makes),if the cables are too thin the radio will also cut out when you try to transmit.

That's correct, and the wired connection to the cigarette lighter plug is usually also flimsy, more so on older cars by now, and the connection then heats up when current is drawn by the transmitting radio. Current consumption on Transmit varies between 4.5 - 8A for the normal 25 - 50W radio, but considerably more for HF radios. Plugging an inverter, even a fairly small one of 150W, into a cigarette lighter is also a no-no.


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Oom Erik even more so on the new vehicles. The wire to the lighter socket on the 2010 Hilux is THIN !

They clearly did their maths to the n-th degree and did not upgrade for "heavy users".

I am thinking of installing a Hella fitting in the cab - but would have to run a proper wire from the battery for this. Obviously with a fuse in line.
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by george »

I am thinking of installing a Hella fitting in the cab - but would have to run a proper wire from the battery for this. Obviously with a fuse in line.
i have I few of them in the cab, but I used the National Luna ones from OW.Do you guys know how much current they will handle. I guesstimated about 10 amps and put in 10 amp fuses with 4mm wire.
does this sound about right?
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Re: VHF 25W from Cigarette lighter?

Post by ChrisF »

Pretty sure thay can handle more, for short periods.

Best to have a high amp connector for the compressor and then some low amp connectors for the lighter stuff, in my opnion.
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