Radio requires 13.8 volts, I only have a 12 volt battery system

[BJ radionut]

My Ftdx 3000D (same transmitter/very close) draws 2.5 amps in receive ONLY mode.
Using CW at 40 watts draws almost 10 amps (FT8 would be very similar/maybe slightly more)
Just a thought.

CK: "At 10 amps that is 2.0 volts lost so now, you are down to only 10.9 volts on your fully charged batteries. WAAAAY below spec."

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I meant it in a positive way, I wasn't being a smartass.

Oh I knew that. No problem Dennis. I saw it as funny.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

The big problem with running a battery booster is discharging your batteries too deeply and ruining them. Unless you have deep cycle type batteries, and even then repeated deep discharging can damage them to the point they will either not charge back up or will simply lose all charge capacity.

 

[BJ radionut]

Yes, I agree with CK on overdrawing the batteries. That's where having a voltmeter on the batteries before the booster is needed. Lead Acid batteries should be charged when the voltage drops to 9 volts (no lower)
Deep Cycle can go a little lower (I have run them down damn near FLAT using trolling motors) Wise? Absolutely not! However if your still a mile to the dock and don't want to ROW that far...slowing the speed and just keep chugging. I also keep my leads as short a practical and use like #4 wielding cable from batteries to my distribution block and nothing smaller than #8 going to rear motor...The total length might be 10 ft from batteries to Motor in the rear. The front motor maybe 15+ ft but I run (I think #6) to that motor from distro block.
The motor in the rear is the Hog...Like 60+ lbs thrust. Front like 35 lbs but also has the Depth finder and Sonar unit mounted on the shaft.
That little shallow Alm V 14ft'r will move pretty well on those big deep cycle battery pair.
I use to have 3 batteries (2 rear/1 front) they changed the rules years ago...now only allowed 2.
That poor little girl (boat) thinks I forgot her...has not been out since last fall With surgery next week likely will not see water this season

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Oh I knew that. No problem Dennis. I saw it as funny.

Dennis? Haha, you just insulted Kop. Wait a minute...

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Dennis? Haha, you just insulted Kop. Wait a minute...

Bad day. Apologies to both of you.

 

[kopcicle]

Drink beer , be happy.

 

[Slowmover]

http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=battery-boost&navcode=/fpBoost

The N8XJK Super Booster was specially designed for use with a radio.

When the voltage from a battery drops, the Super Booster brings it up to a level that allows for optimal transmit. The output level can be set by a trimmer pot to any value up to 15V. The advantage of using the Super Booster is that a Lead Acid battery is rated in Amp-Hours for use down to 10.5V. However, radios require at least 11.7V to transmit. That results in over one-third of amp-hours in the battery that cannot be used for transmitting without a booster.

Beat me to it.

.

 

[Slowmover]

The MARINCO 3% Voltage Drop AWG Calculator . . is sobering.

A 40’ distance (80’ circuit) where

25A maximum current draw per spec

requires 1-AWG

Sobering, as ANCOR 1-AWG is
$375.00 at 100’.

Then, ANCOR lugs & terminations.

There may be cheaper than ANCOR (USCG spec) in tinned marine-grade wiring products,

but not by a helluva lot.

Flame or UV-Resistant split loom by same, also.

Anderson PowerPole disconnects.

Last year I had over $200 into a shorter run just for the wire. The needed accessories drove it up AND the calcs needed for losses per fuses, etc.

Take your time.

I console myself that with a travel trailer, there’s just no such thing as having “too much” HD wiring.

Radio is good excuse to re-consider the whole of a mobile (portable) system. Installed, or waiting for connection in the field. (My CTD Dodge can use some upgrades; PP connectors either end of my radio power cable can be used ALSO to charge the trailer batteries, etc).

I found that a 14” waxed cotton Dutch Oven carrier (Amazon) can carry over 30’ of prepared 2-AWG.

A Bucket Boss jumper cable bag for runs of smaller gauge.

How you will transport and store it otherwise is itself a subject. Less prone to heart-attack surprises. An easier place to start (all the field gear).

.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Drink beer , be happy.

Can't do beer. Too much sugar and I am diabetic. Rum is my preferred choice and the darker the better usually. Either that or Jagermeister straight over ice.

 

[old goat 321]

MFJ-4416C, BATTERY VOLTAGE BOOSTER,13.8VDC, 25A,INPUT 9-13.8V

Thanks for all of the help. I think this will do the trick. I like that it has jumpers to limit the amount of battery discharge. 9, 10 or 11 volts and it will shut off. Please keep in mind this will only be used under emergency conditions. I like the idea of running my rig at the recommended voltage.

 

[Beetle]

I have two of these. One in my S-10, the other in my GMC SLS jimmy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BLACK-HIGH-OUTPUT-ALTERNATOR-FIT-GM-65-85-1-WIRE-ONE-WIRE-220-AMP/283911862115?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item421a773763:g:qmEAAOSwal5YJ5GG:sc:USPSPriorityFlatRateBox!40219!US!-1&enc=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&checksum=283911862115848984bf11c94638b45545330c927116

From 1386 characters down to 28.
https://tinyurl.com/ydh3bljc

You'll probably have to copy that into your search. Tiny URL is a real space saver.