05-23-2021, 10:33 PM
(05-23-2021, 11:58 AM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote:(05-23-2021, 07:02 AM)j3gq_imp Wrote: The question needs to be seen from a few different angles.
1) CB harness(es) -> can burn through
if you connect to an existing CB wire or harness (in the wrong spot), the risk is to melt that wire, can be a tricky repair; to avoid it you need to know or measure every piece of wire between the new accessory and the battery; a better solution, install a large enough wire / cable straight from the battery to the new accessory. PS: This is true despite the fact that every M/C has fuses installed.
2) alternator -> cannot break
if it doesn't produce enough juice, the extra Amps are drawn from the battery - if and when this happens depends on alternator size, total power draw, how often the new accessories are turned on etc. and last not least engine rpm.
3) battery -> might discharge, cannot break
this can be easily measured with a little Amp meter, temporarily installed (in sight somewhere) in the dash, best use digital.
Another solution, buy and install one of the available LiP phone rechangers. They come in many sizes and capacity and can power anything straight, with 5V or 12 V, without connecting to your CB's systems. I have one in the garage, which would re-juice my phone 10 times without going empty, and is barely larger than an Iphone. Unlike the Li-Ion batteries, LiP do not pose a fire hazard, fit under your seat, and can recharge while you eat a Pizza. Careful so, they don't like too much engine heat.
If you don't like that idea, here is a rule of thumb for your electrical system's capacity. All standard equipment (factory installed equipment) turned on, and the engine running at more than 1800 rpms (cont.), the alternator is dimension-ed to provide 120% of the total power draw, and keep the voltage in the system high enough to charge (a standard) battery up to full.
Hope this helps a little.
This is the purpose of fuses. To protect harness wires and equipment.
When a properly-sized fuse opens, it is telling the owner something is wrong with the circuit (e.g. overloaded).
This is the purpose of fuses. To protect harness wires and equipment.
When a properly-sized fuse opens, it is telling the owner something is wrong with the circuit (e.g. overloaded).
Correct, that is the theory. But unfortunately it happens (in all sort of machines and machinery) whenever very small wire gauge is used. Is it, because the designers still live in a world where only 1A, 2A and 10A fuses exist, is it for other reasons ... believe me and do yourself a favor : do not trust that the fuse always goes first. It does not.