Batboard

Hey All,

So I just bought a CDM1550ls+, it will be here next week. I also purchased the HKN9407A OEM cigarette plug adapter which, according to the dealer, is the heavy duty piece that will allow up to 45 watts. Question is, with the adapter being able to handle it, will my dodge charger's center console plug handle it? It's the plug inside the center console hidden. The charger is a 2010. I asked the sales manager at the store if it would handle my CDM at 40 watts and she replied with "45 watts max or change the glass fuse". Will I harm the car or the radio? The transmissions wouldn't be too long or frequent, as the radio is mostly for rxing with the exception of txing on some GMRS repeaters.

Those hidden sockets are usually for GPS units, or charging a cell phone, & usually draw a lot less than a liter element. A 45 watt radio could draw 12 amps, & I don't think that socket is set up for that. Just to rx would be fine, but I believe to xmit would draw too much current. All the car mfrs actually print a booklet on where to mount the mobile radios, & where to tap in for the 12 volts. Especially the cars that are used for cruisers. Call the dealer & get the booklet. GARY N4KVE

Your dealer is confused. It's for low power radios-- 25 watts max. Catalogs going back to SM50s and probably before have this notation.

In that case, if I set my radio to transmit only on 25 watts, would I then be okay to use the cigarette outlet?

Based off some of the issues people have had with electrical/ignition noise in the Dodge Chargers, I'd think doing a lighter plug might be trouble. Sounds like people that have run power directly to the battery have had issues, I can't believe using a cig. lighter as a power source is going to work much better. You can read some of the install issues down in the "vehicle install" forum.

Those lighter plugs are far from best case and most used in a temporary situation such as a rental car. If using a constant powered plug be sure to not have radio connected while starting. Spikes created during starting can get into the radio- had this happen. I've run a portable fridge a few times in the car thru the lighter plug and have found the plug too hot to handle after use, like Gary said best suited for low draw stuff.

I would prefer not to install permanently but if I must what is the best power source in your opinion? Where should I draw my power from and can anyone provide any pictures of there installs? I am very new to wiring in cars and where to draw my electricity from, even though I am very tech savvy and handy and could easily catch on quick.

Directly off the battery is your best choice. Make sure to fuse the positive battery lead close to the battery.

Does anyone know how long the CDM series cable is? I am trying to wire the cable from the battery (next to the spare tire in the trunk of my dodge charger) to the center console? Am I going to need to buy more cable, will the stock cable work, is there a motorola extension cable?

mes90265 wrote:Does anyone know how long the CDM series cable is? I am trying to wire the cable from the battery (next to the spare tire in the trunk of my dodge charger) to the center console? Am I going to need to buy more cable, will the stock cable work, is there a motorola extension cable?

Standard is HKN4137 -- 10' -- 14 AWG -- 15 AMP

High Power (low band 40-60 watt) is HKN4191 -- 10' -- 12 AWG -- 20 AMP

Standard Long is HKN4192 -- 20' -- 12 AWG -- 20 AMP

All three come with an inline fuse for the battery end.