ok so i want to put a cb in my truck but im not sure how to wire it cause im not sure if i want to have it on a switched power or constant, but either way is there anyway i can get power without tapping wires or going straight to the battery or what, im electrically retarded so any input is welcome! thanks!!

 

Yeah--cig outlet is power w/o tapping into vehicle wires. Otherwise, you could :
a.: run a direct line from the battery, switched, of course
b.: tap into stereo power supply
c.: Run a line from the fusebox
d.: ask another member who knows more than me (c'ause I'm not electrically gifted, either...)

 

well i dont want to go to the battery i dont think cause i want it to be switched, so how would i go about runnning a line to the fuse box?

 

Pick an assy that you want the power source to function the same for your CB ( i.e. radio on the assy delay relay so it runs until you open the door, or the timer runs out, or always on like the cigar lighter ) and install an add-a-fuse ( I know Napa has them ):


This will replace the fuse you pull to install it ( i.e. radio ) and provide another tap on the power source ( hot in run postion, assy delay, always on ) to the butt connector. This is not using the fuse for the radio in this example, just the power into the radio fuse for the new fuse you are adding.

There is a ground lug just to the right, and lower then the bottom of the fuse panel on the '04+ MYs, to get the ground for the device ( now noise on the ground or power, you will need to ask someone else about, I am no longer into CBs and what needs to be done on a modern vehicle or if this is a problem ).

This is the easy way to get a seperate fused circuit for the device you are adding, and depending on which device fuse slot you install this in, will give you the power type ( again hot in run postion, assy delay, always on ) that you are looking for.

There are other ways to get switched power into the cab of the truck, but this would be with the running a wire through the firewall to the battery, adding a fuse under the hood, maybe a fuse panel, etc. Sounds like that is what you are trying to avoid. Did I get that part right ?

 

that seems like the way to go, are there any downsides to using somthing like that for a CB?

 

As far as obtaining power, nothing that I know of. Have used this type of fusee adding for year without issue.

As for the noise on the power side, I would think taking something like the radio would be ok. Maybe someone else would know of why not to use a specific one ( don't know if that would incluse the radio circuit ) due to noise on the power causing Xmit problems with the CB. Is that even a real problem with a CB in a modern day vehicle ? I could see where maybe using this in the slot for the power seats, windshield wipers or the blower motor might add noise to the line.

I guess that is a question for you, is how clean does the power need to be, or if that is even a real concern ?

 

ya i agree, cause in my old truck i had it tapped to the back of the radio and i got engine noise in the signal.

 

Is that a power or ground ( or both ) problem ?

Maybe a set of noise filters ( chokes ? ) are in order ???

I had a CB in my '81 F100, and I got the noise from the wiper motor on the speaker of the CB. I just lived with it.

 

it was both power and ground, and im not sure i dont really know much about them to be honest.

 

Seems to be a big topic. Tried a few goolge searches using noise filter, EMI filter, etc :

I don't know any of these, but it looks to be what you might want to install ?
Also maybe take a look in the Audio & Video System forum here ( under the AMP section ? )
https://www.f150online.com/forums/audio-video-system-6/

Few I found with google :

http://www.tessco.com/products/displ...&subgroupId=65

http://cell-phone-accessories-wholes...&Category=3604

You would want to confirm these with someone who knows better then myself. The only Audio upgrade I did was install the Factory Sirus unit to my stock 6 CD changer, and that is just plugging in the CAN bus interface, and running the antenna to it. So I understand it could be a problem, but that is as far as my knowledge on the topic goes. I saw some threads on this on the Concours Forum when some added audio equipment to a Kawi ZG-1000. That is still coil ign on the bike driven by the igniter box.
Sorry I am not much additional help, aside from where to get the power at.

 

ok well i think im going to use that fuse tap thing! now i just need to figure out what i want to do for an antenna

 

Where do you plan on mounting the CB, I have an 05 SCrew with the center console and cannot find a decent place to mount it. Some have mounted theirs up in the center of the dash where the rubber mat is located, but I'm not a fan of something in the center of the dash.

 

im either going to mount it underneath my radio in the pocket cause i have an aftermarket headunit, or on the side of the console by my leg, depends if it will fit in the pocket or not.