14 replies to this topic

[Jim_Jam]

As above, saw it and was was taken with the potential fun to be had. Got myself all the kit I'll need, radio, handset, aeiral, brackets etc.

It's very simple to wire in, theres just a positive and a negative cable.
People of TMF...where do I get my positive feed from???
Can I just screw the negative wire onto a bare spot on the bulkhead?


aaaahhhh I'm exited

-Jamie

[shorty]

if i were you id wire a 12v cigi end to it and also wire a cigi lighter into the car unless you have one already.

just makes it easier incase you do want to remove it etc etc.

[Jim_Jam]

...SOrry I'm REALLY in the woods when it comes to wiring, where do I get the '12V cigi' feed from?

I don't really want to fit a ciggarette lighter, I sorta want this in tonight aswell

Edited by Jim_Jam, 24 February 2010 - 03:31 PM.

[shorty]

...SOrry I'm REALLY in the woods when it comes to wiring, where do I get the '12V cigi' feed from?

I don't really want to fit a ciggarette lighter, I sorta want this in tonight aswell

fair enough

well you could take it off the wiring for the stereo if you have one as this will be ignition live so it only comes on when the car is switched on, or you could take it straight from the solenoid but this will mean its live all the time.
so best bet is for an ignition live so your battery won't die

and to earth it i remember someone saying theres some bolts in the floorpan in the passenger footwell where the pedals would be if left hand drive, that or use an existing earth you can find and just make sure you have a clean contact area

[Jim_Jam]

ooh alright, I really appreciate your help, theres a really clear earth currently used by my alarm, I'll use that, it's clean and securely connected.

I have indeed got a stereo, is the live 12 feed gonna be a plain red wire? How do I connect the wire for the CB to that, do I need to split the insulation around the wire? Sharing the 12V wont cause the voltage to drop as a result of them sharing will it?

[shorty]

well this is where my advice ends aha

no idea mate i wired in a cigi lighter to power mine as it just seemed the easiest thing to do.

someone with better experience will be able to tell you though.

[Twincam]

Also, don't power it up without the aerial connected - i've been told it screws up the CB radios.

[shorty]

Also, don't power it up without the aerial connected - i've been told it screws up the CB radios.

i've done that a few times accidentally, had me baffled as to why it werent working for a few mins then realised
works a treat though, gota love ebay sometimes.

by the way what sort of mount did you get for the aerial?

[Jim_Jam]

its just a magnetic one... the aerial isn't huge to be honest, there was the huge long coil type used on taxis and trucks, and a small coil (which I opted for) I really had no idea of how much range I would get with either.

[Twincam]

its just a magnetic one... the aerial isn't huge to be honest, there was the huge long coil type used on taxis and trucks, and a small coil (which I opted for) I really had no idea of how much range I would get with either.

I bought the magnetic one from Maplin as it gets moved from car to car (although I haven't tried it yet) - let us know how much reach you get.

[shorty]

tape some cloth onto the magnet otherwise it may scratch the roof as those magnets can be quite strong.

you should see between 2-5 miles maybe with the smaller type aerials

[Jim_Jam]

haha, I think thats far enough!

It's a 70cm aerial from maplins.
Me and my soon to be fellow mini owner of a mate just decided to pick them up to chat and have a laugh when on outings.


Oh, any more advice on the wiring would be appreciated, I klnow how to wire it to the solenoid no problem, but idealy I'd like it only to be on with the ignition.

[stague]

haha, I think thats far enough!

It's a 70cm aerial from maplins.
Me and my soon to be fellow mini owner of a mate just decided to pick them up to chat and have a laugh when on outings.


Oh, any more advice on the wiring would be appreciated, I klnow how to wire it to the solenoid no problem, but idealy I'd like it only to be on with the ignition.

Sup' Bro, When you get this CB radio fitted we are going to have some awesome times! 2-5 miles sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

[james962]

A CB radio is definately something I will be getting when the mini is ready.

Did you buy it as a kit from Maplins then? Where abouts in the cabin are you going to mount the unit?

James

[Robert]

Haven't got a CB in the car, but I have got an Amateur transceiver.

It is a good idea to take your feed from a switched line so you can't leave the radio on when you are not in the car. It is easily done!

As a CB is a little different to an amateur transmitter in terms of transmitted power, probably the best place to get a switched feed would be from the radio (assuming your Mini has one). Alternatively, run a completely new line and make sure it is fused correctly.

As already mentioned, make sure you have got a good earth - and ensure the aerial is connected before you switch on. You will be Ok on receive, but if you transmit without an aerial connected then you can risk damaging the output stages of the transmitter, due to the VSWR being through the roof.

Edited by Robert, 25 February 2010 - 06:50 AM.