Magnum 257 mobile radio install advice

[whitedove1]

I have one of the older style magnum 257 radios. The power is rated at 30 watts with a max power consumption of 1.5 amps. Has anyone ever run one of these radios through their power accessory plug? I have a PT Cruiser the accessory plug is connected to the fuse box with a fuse rated at 20 amps. Should I be okay to run it that way? I have run several CB radios through that plug but never one that did over 15 watts. I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks Whitedove

['Doc]

Whitedove,
Going strictly by the numbers you posted, you still don't have a radio that does close to 15 watts of output power, sorry.
That 1.5 amps of current draw might be for receiving, but not even close for current draw when transmitting (2 or 3 times that on an average). Is that the size of the fuse in the radio's power line?
- 'Doc

[whitedove1]

No that 20 amp fuse is the one in the fuse box that connects to the accessory outlet on the dash of the car. I'm not sure what the size of the one in the radios power line is. Even at 2 or 3 times 1.5 amps shouldn't be too bad right? Thanks for the help.
Whitedove

[Night Crawler]

I have one of the older style magnum 257 radios. The power is rated at 30 watts with a max power consumption of 1.5 amps.

That older 257 draws 6 amps at maximum power output on transmit.

[whitedove1]

Thanks for the info night crawler. That helps.
Whitedove

[Radio 75]

So Whitedove, is everything working with Your 257 (I have the newer HP model, great little radio) running off of the
accessory jack?

[Sheriff Bart]

I have one of the older style magnum 257 radios. The power is rated at 30 watts with a max power consumption of 1.5 amps.

That older 257 draws 6 amps at maximum power output on transmit.

That quote of 1.5 amps @ 30 watts is definately a typo...Try a 15 amp fuse in the radio. The outlet is fused @ 20 amps so there's adequate protection.


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[whitedove1]

The radio seems to be working. I haven't used it much yet. My current antenna is not working well for 10 meters so I haven't been talking much. I hope to have another antenna soon. I've been looking at several and I'm just trying to make a final decision on which one then I'll really be able to test it out. Thanks for all the advice.

[Sheriff Bart]

This is a quote from [Please login or register to view this link] halfway down the page right above the Top Gun Compressor it states Magnum recommends a 20 amp supply when using it as a base but it should be appropriate for the mobile as well.


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[Radio 75]

This is a quote from [Please login or register to view this link] halfway down the page right above the Top Gun Compressor it states Magnum recommends a 20 amp supply when using it as a base but it should be appropriate for the mobile as well.


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That's for the HP version Sheriff, she has the older 30 watt version.

[Sheriff Bart]

I missed that..My 2950 draws 6amps from my pyramid ps-26kx so I figured with 30 amps between a 10amp > 15amp fuse inline is appropriate.


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