How to power CB radio without aux battery drain

[mgeorge]

Does anyone use the 12v cigarette lighter port to power a cb radio? I’m looking for an easy install and trying to avoid parasitic drain on the aux battery.

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[sharpsicle]

The aux and main are in parallel, so any install is going to be connected to both. What exactly are you trying to achieve?

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

If you only want it to function when the vehicle is on tie 12V socket into an ACC fuse with an add a fuse. For just a single outlet the install isn’t hard at all. If you plan on running a slew of electronics later on it gets a bit more involved but same principle. Tie into an ACC type fuse.

 

[mgeorge]

The aux and main are in parallel, so any install is going to be connected to both. What exactly are you trying to achieve?

I’ve recently had electrical failures with some digital features. Radio display, dash and misc digital functions were not working. Once I disabled the ESS each time I turn on the engine, the aux battery recharged. Jeep dealer confirmed the ESS is draining the aux battery. They recommended a new aux battery at $300. I’m just very cautious and wanted to avoid any more drain, at least until I replace the aux battery. I thought if the 12v cigarrette lighter port was used to power a cb, I would avoid a drain. I could easily unplug or remove the power source easily to avoid a drain on.

 

[mgeorge]

I was considering ordering this to wire the cb to the 12v outlet. Any ideas would be greatly appreciate.

 

[Jeepmonster]

That's what I use, and it works perfect for my Midland GMRS radio and dash cam. I tucked the terminal strip near the side of the glove box.

 

[SaiintNick]

I’ve recently had electrical failures with some digital features. Radio display, dash and misc digital functions were not working. Once I disabled the ESS each time I turn on the engine, the aux battery recharged. Jeep dealer confirmed the ESS is draining the aux battery. They recommended a new aux battery at $300. I’m just very cautious and wanted to avoid any more drain, at least until I replace the aux battery. I thought if the 12v cigarrette lighter port was used to power a cb, I would avoid a drain. I could easily unplug or remove the power source easily to avoid a drain on.

I just did the aux battery bypass because of many odd things happening. Hoping it fixed those issues, but so far no issues with it disconnected.

 

[handyman98]

I use the cigarette port for my Midland 275. I can't hardwire it because it moves between 2 vehicles. Otherwise I would hardware to my AUX switch.

 

[ASU_Greg]

Just add a simple switch to the powerline you run to your radio power. $3 and you are done.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Ok first things first, I'm confused by what you state the dealer has told you. My assumption is they explained it poorly to you, and without getting into the details I'll just say you have a bad AUX battery and it needs to be replaced before you worry about your radio. It's probably not completely shot yet, but it's close. When you have a bad AUX battery it will drain your main battery which will either leave you stranded or cause all sorts of strange electrical issues, or both. So my first recommendation is replace the AUX battery as soon as you can because it's only a matter of time before you will start having issues again. Disabling ESS is only a band aid fix masking the real problem, a bad/dying AUX battery.

Secondly, the simple answer is yes you can use that harness.

A more involved answer for anyone interested, and a better option for those that have a lot of things you need ACC power for; The JT has very little room inside the dash and few ACC power locations especially if you don't have AUX buttons, so I ran a relay triggered lead from the fuse panel/main battery to a 6-fuse 12v accessory fuse panel inside the cab that I use for any inside cab ACC power needs. The power to this aux fuse panel comes straight from the main battery, but is controlled by a relay that is triggered by an ACC circuit. When the truck is powered on, the relay closes and power is supplied to the fuse panel, when the truck is shut off the relay is open and power is shut off to the fuse panel. I currently have my GMRS radio, Wolfbox mirror ACC power, and DC-DC charger trigger running off this panel, and have 3 more slots for future needs.

 

[Lost1wing]

@JTdiRtyD Said it correct. You either have a service person that doesn't know how the DC system works or some how words got crossed during his explanation and your understanding.

Most likely your driving habits are the biggest issue with your batteries.

Charge
Test
Replace what is needed.

Tapping into an acc circuit will only power your device with acc power on. Plenty ways to tap into an acc circuit.

 

[mgeorge]

I just did the aux battery bypass because of many odd things happening. Hoping it fixed those issues, but so far no issues with it disconnected.

How do I bypass the aux battery?

Ok first things first, I'm confused by what you state the dealer has told you. My assumption is they explained it poorly to you, and without getting into the details I'll just say you have a bad AUX battery and it needs to be replaced before you worry about your radio. It's probably not completely shot yet, but it's close. When you have a bad AUX battery it will drain your main battery which will either leave you stranded or cause all sorts of strange electrical issues, or both. So my first recommendation is replace the AUX battery as soon as you can because it's only a matter of time before you will start having issues again. Disabling ESS is only a band aid fix masking the real problem, a bad/dying AUX battery.

Secondly, the simple answer is yes you can use that harness.

A more involved answer for anyone interested, and a better option for those that have a lot of things you need ACC power for; The JT has very little room inside the dash and few ACC power locations especially if you don't have AUX buttons, so I ran a relay triggered lead from the fuse panel/main battery to a 6-fuse 12v accessory fuse panel inside the cab that I use for any inside cab ACC power needs. The power to this aux fuse panel comes straight from the main battery, but is controlled by a relay that is triggered by an ACC circuit. When the truck is powered on, the relay closes and power is supplied to the fuse panel, when the truck is shut off the relay is open and power is shut off to the fuse panel. I currently have my GMRS radio, Wolfbox mirror ACC power, and DC-DC charger trigger running off this panel, and have 3 more slots for future needs.

great advice! Greatly appreciated

 

[Mr Miami]

The aux and main are in parallel, so any install is going to be connected to both. What exactly are you trying to achieve?

I'm not doubting what you are saying but if the aux battery is just to add "power" to the main battery can't they just manufacture the Jeeps with a more powerful main battery? I never paid that much attention to what the comments or threads regarding the aux battery were but thought if Jeep went through the expense of designing and putting in a second battery that it would do more than just run parallel to the main battery.

I'm showing my ignorance here but it just seems strange to me.

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

I'm not doubting what you are saying but if the aux battery is just to add "power" to the main battery can't they just manufacture the Jeeps with a more powerful main battery? I never paid that much attention to what the comments or threads regarding the aux battery were but thought if Jeep went through the expense of designing and putting in a second battery that it would do more than just run parallel to the main battery.

I'm showing my ignorance here but it just seems strange to me.

I'm not an expert either, but my understanding is it's not simply "adding power", it's providing a stable alternative for electronics/accessories. Not only does it power the components when the engine is off during Auto Stop/Start, it provides voltage stability when the engine cranks (due to the demand on the main battery from the starter) and/or other high demand/load scenarios.

 

[sharpsicle]

I'm not doubting what you are saying but if the aux battery is just to add "power" to the main battery can't they just manufacture the Jeeps with a more powerful main battery? I never paid that much attention to what the comments or threads regarding the aux battery were but thought if Jeep went through the expense of designing and putting in a second battery that it would do more than just run parallel to the main battery.

I'm showing my ignorance here but it just seems strange to me.

I'm not an expert either, but my understanding is it's not simply "adding power", it's providing a stable alternative for electronics/accessories. Not only does it power the components when the engine is off during Auto Stop/Start, it provides voltage stability when the engine cranks (due to the demand on the main battery from the starter) and/or other high demand/load scenarios.

This is exactly correct. It's not about how much amperage is available, it's about making sure your electronics don't reboot in the middle of the road when it starts back up from an ESS stop. That tiny moment when the starter engages after ESS is where that battery comes into play (other than the self-test, obviously). All other times, it's in parallel.

Think of it like a dinghy on a yacht, or a life ring. Always attached to the boat (main) and always floats with the boat except that brief moment you might need it, at which point it's momentarily separated.

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