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Just got my brand new Ranger2950Dx

AmericanEagle575

Supporting Sr. Member WDX-1863
Feb 17, 2016
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Bellefonte,Pennsylvania
Good evening Radio folks, well I just got my new Ranger2950Dx and Wilson 1000 mag mount, should I use the fuse box to power my radio or go straight to the battery, I have a 2008 Chevrolet cobalt LS coupe 2 door and the battery is located in the trunk. I would imagine the battery route would be a more cleaner and stable power source so to speak if that makes sense, or would the fuse block accomplish the same thing, would appreciate any advice or suggestions from people who have this radio, just curious and want to do the install right the first time around, many thanks and best regards!!!
 

I would say battery but if you have a dedicated accessory port that's on say a 15-20 amp fuse you could make that work. Where did you get the radio from? Hope it was from a shop that does good tech work, this way it gets opened, tuned, and shipped ONCE and it's done.
 
Hey 9C1 driver,I got the Radio from Walcott CB radio shop online from Iowa, on sale for $300+$35.00 for the frequency expasion and tune up, on the receipt it says 45 Watts peak power, etc, I hear they do good work, hope it's true as I have alot invested,LOL:)
 
I always run power from the battery including RF chokes on each lead. This is to minimize RF from getting to the car's or truck's electrical system. Helps reduce noise introduced to the transceiver's receiver.
If you run more than on radio including a "helper" or "heater" a power buss may help. Sort of a battery terminal extension in the cabin.

mechanic
 
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yeah always go to battery, btw let us know how you like your 2950dx.Had a 2970dx about 12 years ago and for all the wrong reasons let it go, but just ordered the 2970N4 so really excited to see how it does
 
You can get some pretty nice wiring kits as well as wire from any good stereo shop that will fit your needs. Best Buy, even Walmart have some decent stuff. Best Buy will have better inline fuses and wire, but it will be more expensive as you most likely already know!!! I have found that a good noise filter helps with engine noise as well as a good ground. I had to go under the hood of my work van and probably removed 10+ ground leads at various spots and all had paint under them!! Removed all paint and added no-ox and it helped a bunch actually!!! Newer cars seem to suffer from a lack of good grounding systems in some cases. Mine was one!! Anyway. Good luck, take your time, and be safe. Also the info mechanic posted is great stuff as well!! Hence his name possibly???
 
Most if not all HF radios tell you to go directly to battery with both POS and NEG wires. And both are fused as well. I normally go to a seat frame bolt or under the dash around the steering column. Also bonding of all body parts to frame and exhaust as well will help. This and they also make a noise filter for your alternator as well. Something like this which is installed at the ALT.
 

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Most if not all HF radios tell you to go directly to battery with both POS and NEG wires. And both are fused as well. I normally go to a seat frame bolt or under the dash around the steering column. Also bonding of all body parts to frame and exhaust as well will help. This and they also make a noise filter for your alternator as well. Something like this which is installed at the ALT.
Yes it looks like iam looking to draw power from the battery, I'll have to get some more 16 awg wire to reach the battery which is located in the trunk, Walmart or Best Buy,sure miss the local Radio Shack. I read somewhere online that only the positive side has to be fused,correct or not????
 
Good evening Radio folks, well I just got my new Ranger2950Dx and Wilson 1000 mag mount, should I use the fuse box to power my radio or go straight to the battery, I have a 2008 Chevrolet cobalt LS coupe 2 door and the battery is located in the trunk. I would imagine the battery route would be a more cleaner and stable power source so to speak if that makes sense, or would the fuse block accomplish the same thing, would appreciate any advice or suggestions from people who have this radio, just curious and want to do the install right the first time around, many thanks and best regards!!!
Battery
 
N4 ROCK, I love my Optima mklll but my N4 get's it done as my base.
Thanks for your help and advice, I have heard alot of stuff about the Optima MK 3, have never owned one or used one,I have had in the past Galaxy 33,44,88,Ranger 66,Ranger 2960JP,Galaxy Saturn base with antron 99 ,Cobra 29 Ltd and Cobra 29 LX,I used a Wilson 500 mag mount in the past......................... Alot radios and alot of years ago.............
 
Yes it looks like iam looking to draw power from the battery, I'll have to get some more 16 awg wire to reach the battery which is located in the trunk, Walmart or Best Buy,sure miss the local Radio Shack. I read somewhere online that only the positive side has to be fused,correct or not????

16awg wire is pretty small, id go larger wire than that,,
 
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18awg is smaller than 16awg,,, just because the radio came with 16awg wire on it you have to remember that is only a couple foot long section of wire,, the longer the run of wire to your power source, the larger the wire you are going to want to use..

id go with 10awg wire(maybe 12awg), then you will have room to grow if you ever need power for another device or radio or small pill box, better to run the wires once and have some overkill,, it wont hurt anything
 
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